Mazda3 MPS details at last

While the out-going Mazda3 MPS could be accused of not standing out from the crowd there will be no such opportunity with the new model due later this year (more here). With the car now officially on public display at the Geneva and Melbourne motor shows, full details of the car specifications are available.

The most obvious change is the aggressive new look thanks to a large air intake in the middle of the bonnet. It is designed to improve the efficiency of the engine's intercooler as well as make sure the car stands out in the pack.

Like the rest of the new 3 hatchback range the MPS features an all-new style including the company's new 'face'. But the MPS takes this new look further with updated front fender and bumper treatments and a new larger rear spoiler. There are also 18-inch alloys wheels similar to those already featured on the RX-8.

Inside the designers have added to the driver-focused feel, including a new tacho in red with MPS logo, an LED turbo boost gauge and sports seats.

Power and torque are unchanged over the old model with the same 2.3-litre direct-injection four-cylinder turbo engine carried over. It produces 191kW at 5500rpm and 380Nm at 3000rpm and is good enough to take the car from 0-100km/h in 6.1-seconds and a top speed of 250km/h.

To help put the power to the ground in the front-wheel drive chassis Mazda's torque-sensing limited-slip differential is standard on the new model. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard and features wider ratios to make better use of the motor's available power.

Mazda took the car to Germany's famed Nurburgring to improve the car's handling and have made a number of changes over the previous model.

New larger stabiliser bars, as part of an updated suspension package, are responsible for improved handling and ride comfort. New Dunlop tyres are fitted and they are wider than the current model to increase grip. The steering has also been modified to provide more precision and feel.

Brakes remain similar with 320mm ventilated discs at the front and solid 280mm discs at the rear but there is a new electronic brake assist to replace the former mechanical system. ABS and electronic stability control is standard.

Exact Australian specifications and pricing will be released closer to the car's local launch.