Mazda globally know they are on a real winner with the MazdaSpeed 3. If you didn’t already know this hot hatch is kickin out 190 kW and hauling ass to 60mph in under 6 seconds. For all intensive purposes, the MazdaSpeed 3 is puts the zap back into many magic wands.
Very competitively priced @ USD $22,800, lots more heavenly piccies can be found here with the latest full press release available on the click through.
2007 MAZDASPEED3: KICKING ASPHALT AND TAKING NAMES
IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 31, 2006. - The 2007 MAZDASPEED3 is one of the fastest and quickest front-wheel drive cars in the world. With a zero-to-60 time under six-seconds and an electronically limited top-speed of 155 mph, MAZDASPEED3 is the class of the sport-compact ???pocket-rocket??? crowd.
The MAZDASPEED3 features a compact, lightweight five-door body paired with a 263-horsepower 2.3-liter DISI (Direct Injection Spark Ignition) Turbo engine, giving it a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio and making it one of the highest performing front-wheel drive cars in the world.
In 2003, Mazda revolutionized the compact sedan segment with the launch of the MAZDA3. European sophistication, high-performance, advanced technology and safety are the ingredients that make MAZDA3 the company???s best-selling model globally. While more than one-million vehicles have been built, the MAZDA3 continues to set sales records and has virtually no incentive support. MAZDASPEED3 takes everything that made MAZDA3 a success, and bumps it up a notch ??? more style, more power, more handling, more value.
“The MAZDASPEED3 is a pure enthusiasts??? dream, made for the performance buyer who wants it all for a price that doesn???t take it all,??? said Tatsuo Maeda, Program Manager for development of the MAZDA 3 series. ???Sport-tuned exhaust, turbocharged motor, MAZDASPEED sport independent suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels, unique roof spoiler, sport-inspired interior ??? the MAZDASPEED3 delivers a true drivers car.???
To create this new benchmark, Maeda-san???s engineering team focused on three requirements:
??? Driving Fun: Formidable performance from the 2.3-liter DISI Turbo engine, along with sharp, responsive handling
??? Ownership Delight: Advanced but restrained styling that suggests high performance without exaggeration and a tasteful interior to match
??? Everyday, User-Friendly Convenience: Driving pleasure with everyday functionality and comfort
POWER AND HANDLING
Under the hood of the MAZDASPEED3 is a version of the turbocharged and intercooled 2.3-liter four-cylinder direct-injection gasoline engine that powers the highly regarded MAZDASPEED6 sport sedan and the CX-7 crossover SUV. Engineered to deliver high performance at all speeds, along with low exhaust emissions and excellent fuel economy, Mazda???s MZR 2.3 DISI (Direct Injection Spark Ignition) turbo-charged engine produces 263 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 280 lb-ft torque at 3,000 rpm in the MAZDASPEED3.
Key engine components include aluminum block and head construction with forged steel internal components ??? crankshaft and connecting rods ??? for long-lasting durability, while balance shafts help eliminate noise and vibration. A large air-to-air intercooler and direct fuel injection cool temperature inside the cylinder.
Shifting gasoline???s change in state from liquid to vapor from the intake manifold to the cylinder provides a substantial cooling effect. This low charge-temperature permits use of a high 9.5:1 compression ratio, which boosts low- and mid-range torque by approximately 10-percent over conventional turbo engines. This compression ratio also contributes to the car???s frugal use of fuel.
The DISI Turbo engine is engineered to achieve three aspects of performance that are difficult to realize with conventional manifold injection engines: good fuel-economy and low exhaust-gas emissions; powerful acceleration thanks to the turbocharger; and a full and flat torque curve throughout the rev range for exceptional engine response.
Engineers also paid close attention to the exhaust sound of the MAZDASPEED3 in order to further increase the driving enjoyment of the car. Its throaty timber under acceleration from a standing start is music to ears of driving enthusiasts. Once the engine hits 4,000 rpm, the sound changes to the mid-frequency range to further underscore the car???s sportiness.
SOPHISTICATED TORQUE MANAGEMENT
To increase drivability and minimize torque steer and wheel spin in what is a very powerful front-wheel drive car, a sophisticated torque-management system combines with equal-length hardened driveshafts and a cone-type Super LSD limited slip differential.
Under the watchful eye of an advanced powertrain control module (PCM), the waste-gate bleeds off excess boost to control the torque spikes in first and second gear that would result in wheel spin, providing full boost only in third gear and above. Also, because the throttle is a drive-by-wire system, the PCM can control how quickly the throttle body reacts to driver inputs, smoothing intake volume to further minimize torque spikes. This results in different torque characteristics in first, second and third (and above) gears, minimizing torque-steer and wheel-spin and maximizing traction and acceleration.
Torque control is also linked to the steering angle, limiting power delivery when the front wheels are turned. A Super LSD cone-type limited-slip differential also minimizes wheel-spin on the inner wheel during hard cornering for smooth, predictable power delivery. Mazda also fits a similar Super LSD unit to the rotary-powered RX-8 sports car and the high-performance MAZDASPEED6 sport sedan.
SIX-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION
The new MAZDASPEED3 employs a six-speed manual transmission shared with the MAZDASPEED6, allowing the driver to maximize the engine???s potential. A compact three-shaft design made it possible to keep the overall length the same as the five-speed manual transmission used in the standard MAZDA 3. Triple-cone synchronizers for the first three gears, along with double-cone synchronizers for fourth gear, ensure precise and clean shift characteristics and low-effort shifting through clearly defined shift travel. In addition, MAZDASPEED3’s six-speed transmission uses wide gear ratios to fully exploit the wide torque band of the direct-injection turbocharged engine, while allowing quiet and comfortable highway cruising.
HIGH BODY RIGIDITY AND SPECIALLY TUNED CHASSIS
Like the 2007 MAZDA 3, the new MAZDASPEED3 features a body with increased rigidity. The MAZDASPEED version is based on the MAZDA 3 5-Door hatchback, with local reinforcements added to produce a body sufficiently stiff to stand up to the demands of 263 horsepower. Suspension and brakes have also been specially tuned.
Body rigidity has been increased through several measures, including a reinforced front cowl that is joined directly to the top section of the front damper mount, assuring the same rigidity as a car fitted with a strut tower bar (which would not have been possible because of the placement of the intercooler above the engine). This prevents deformation of the front suspension towers under cornering load and maintains correct suspension geometry. Underneath the car, a large closed-section brace is employed to reinforce the floor tunnel which improves the torsional rigidity of the whole body. At the rear, a gusset added to the bottom of the rear suspension towers maintains the correct suspension geometry under all cornering loads.
Both the MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension have higher spring rates and larger diameter stabilizer bars than the standard MAZDA 3. Damping force on both compression and rebound is raised approximately six-times at low piston speed, and about 1.3 times at moderate piston speed. Ride height is 10 mm lower than a standard MAZDA3. In combination with the reinforced springs and stabilizer bars, this produces 60 percent more roll stiffness than the standard MAZDA 3.
ENGINEERED AERODYNAMICS
Special attention was paid to achieve aerodynamic performance that supports stable straight running, lane changing and overtaking at high speeds. A wide variety of underfloor parts, including flaps ahead of the front and rear wheels to control airflow and a full undertray below the engine, were employed to achieve the superior aerodynamic performance targets, and the result is a Cd of 0.32. Clean aerodynamics also deliver a car that is quiet and comfortable to drive at all speeds.
MAZDASPEED DESIGN DNA
MAZDASPEED3 ’s styling pursues a look of strength and solidity in a design that conveys the car’s dynamic performance. Its form is characterized by boldly flared front fenders and effective use of strong edges on the hood. These combine with the functional forms of the bumpers, spoilers and other parts developed for aerodynamic performance. Overall, MAZDASPEED3’s design is sporty and strong, befitting a high-performance model, without exaggerated styling cues.
EXTERIOR DESIGN
Exterior designers of the MAZDASPEED3 set a goal to communicate the car???s high-performance character with a design that is stylish and sporty, yet subtle. While the car remains true to the basic form of the MAZDA 3 5-Door hatchback (which is part of the MAZDASPEED credo), there is a clear emphasis on the car???s sporty nature. Front fenders are widened to provide clearance for the large tires and to evoke a well-planted stance. To forge a uniform identity for the MAZDASPEED series, two design elements are shared with the MAZDASPEED6: strong lines flowing back along the hood from the upper part of the five-point grille, which is also used as the air intake for the intercooler; and the aerodynamically shaped front bumper and large lower grille serving as the air intake for the radiator. An athletic yet elegant side view is created by aerodynamic side skirts and 18-inch, 10-spoke aluminum alloy wheels.
The rear view is also an expression of power, characterized by the design of the rear bumper, the large-diameter tailpipe and the roof spoiler with integrated LED brake lights.
The MAZDASPEED3 is offered in four exterior colors. Besides black, silver and red, a unique Cosmic Blue was specially developed for the MAZDASPEED3.
INTERIOR DESIGN
MAZDASPEED 3 ???s cockpit is a harmonious synthesis of functional sportiness and stylish comfort. A high-quality black finish sets the tone of the interior, accented by red stitching on the seats, steering wheel, and the shift boot to create a sporty yet refined look. The instrument panel includes a matte black decorative insert panel finished with a hairline treatment to underscore the vehicle???s personality. A leather-wrapped shift knob, aluminum pedals and stainless steel scuff plates further contribute to the sporty, high quality feel that distinguishes MAZDASPEED models, while front sport seats with the MAZDASPEED logo ??? developed specifically for the MAZDASPEED3 ??? on the seatbacks provide firm support and comfort.
HIGH-PERFORMANCE BRAKING SYSTEM TO MATCH THE POWER
Large diameter four-wheel disc brakes, vented in front, and a large diameter master cylinder provide powerful and stable braking. Hardware is larger than the standard MAZDA3 fare, with the calipers reinforced to minimize flex and the resulting loss of braking feel. Standard equipment includes four-wheel-ABS, electronic brake force distribution (EBD) with brake assist and dynamic stability control (DSC), all of which provide active safety in a range of driving scenarios.
For protection during collisions, MAZDASPEED3 employs the unique Mazda Advanced Impact-energy Distribution and Absorption System to deliver a robust and safe body structure. Inside the cabin, dual frontal airbags, as well as seat-mounted side and roof-mounted curtain airbags, are all standard. A collapsible brake pedal and steering column structure reduce the risk of injury to the driver’s lower legs.
The MAZDASPEED Family
MAZDASPEED3 is the fourth vehicle to carry the MAZDASPEED name in the U.S., following the 2003 and 2003.5 MAZDASPEED Proteg??, 2004 and 2005 MAZDASPEED MX-5 and 2006 MAZDASPEED6. This will be the first time that two MAZDASPEED-branded vehicles will be sold in North American dealers at the same time. MAZDASPEED3 is called MAZDA 3 MPS ??? Mazda Performance Series ??? in Europe and MAZDASPEED Axela in Japan. MAZDASPEED3 is sold through authorized MAZDASPEED dealers across the U.S.
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario, Canada, and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.
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