http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/mazda/3/65 ... ps-its-way
A new Mazda 3 MPS is on its way. And, with its return, Mazda will revive the naturally aspirated hot hatch by dropping the turbos.
Turbochargers now dominate the hot hatch class after the Clio Renaultsport 200 disappeared early this year and the Honda Civic Type-R ceased production in 2010.
Both were killed by emission regulations, saddening fans of high-revving performance petrol engines, but Mazda has revived the high-power naturally aspirated unit thanks to clever Skyactiv tech that improves fuel consumption by reducing heat loss in the combustion cycle.
A senior engineer, who didn’t wish to be identified, told us on the launch of the impressive new 3, due in December, that the MPS is likely to return “but not as you would expect”. He then said that the 3’s 163bhp 2.0-litre engine could be turned up to 200bhp and made to rev to 7000rpm.
That should drop the 0-62mph figure from 8.2 seconds to below 7 secs – not as fast as the old 2.3-litre turbocharged MPS, but enough to create a spiritual successor to the 198bhp Civic Type-R.
Mazda is also tipped to follow VW with its Golf GT range and also create a hot diesel. The 148bhp 2.2D will already be the fastest accelerating standard 3 with 62mph arriving in 8.1 seconds, but European boss Jeff Guyton hinted at the 3’s reveal in June that it could wear a performance badge in time, comparing the diesel’s acceleration favorably with the old MPS.
