By now it should be apparent that we highly approve of the Mazdaspeed3. Of course, it's no secret that we like cars with gobs of turbocharged power - but there is more to this story. There is a deep sense of passion surrounding the Mazdaspeed3 that is absent in almost every modern car, factory tuned or otherwise. Tod put it best when he described the working relationship of Mazda R&D and the race teams they support: "We use a lot of 'transfer of technology' from our Mazdaspeed Motorsports Development programs and input this knowledge directly into our production vehicle programs. For example, we are assisting various teams such as Ed Bergenholtz and his turbo Pro-FWD drag car and Eric Burmeister's Mazda3 turbo rally car. Not only does this help improve motorsports competitiveness, it also provides a great training ground for additional development of young Mazda engineers."
"We don't have a lot of resources like other OEMs," Kaneko continues. "As a result, we need to utilize everyone's specific areas of knowledge and expertise to assist our motorsports and production vehicle development efforts. It's really an example of personal passion since this activity is primarily conducted after hours among the close-knit group of Mazdaspeed teams and engineers."
We're lobbying hard to get a Mazdaspeed3 for our project car garage and if you want one as well, you'd better start making plans. Only 5,000 will be available to North America per year at a staggeringly low MSRP of $22,240 for the base model. The $23,955 GT version provides leather seating surfaces, xenon headlamps, a Bose sound system, and rain sensing wipers. Add satellite navigation and the total goes up to $25,705.
For the last year, the sub $23K price range has been the domain of GTI and Civic Si. But you simply can't compare those two to the Mazdaspeed3; it really is that good. The only real contender should be Dodge's 300 bhp Calther SRT-4 and we're already licking our chops for that cage match. Only after those two do battle will we know for sure which sport compact truly is at the top of the food chain. And until we drive one, our money is on this apex predator.
3 Ways Better
No car is perfect, and though it's pretty good, even the Mazdaspeed guys will tell you there is room for improvement to their 3. Here are three ways we would make the Mazdaspeed3 even better
2007 Mazdaspeed3 Engine
Estimated Price: Less than $25,000
Engine
Engine Code: MZR DISI (Direct Injection Spark Ignition)
Type: In-line four, aluminum block and head, turbocharged and intercooled
Valvetrain: DOHC, four valves per cylinder, variable intake cam timing
Displacement: 2261cc
Bore x Stroke: 87.5 mm x 94.0 mm
Compression Ratio: 9.7:1
Claimed Crank Hp: 263 bhp @ 5,500 rpm
Claimed Crank Torque: 280 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm
Redline: 6,700 rpm
Drivetrain
Layout: Transverse front engine, front-wheel drive
Transmission
Gear Ratios
1: 3.538:1
2: 2.238:1
3: 1.535:1
4: 1.171:1
5: 1.085:1
6: 0.853:1
Final drive: gear 1-4: 3.941:1, gear 5-6:3.350:1
Differential: Tochial Fuji Super LSD (conical clutch spyder gear type)
Chassis
Chassis Code: BK
Exterior dimensions
Curb Weight: 3153 lbs
Overall Length: 176.7-in.
Wheelbase: 103.9-in.
Overall Width: 69.5-in.
Track F/R: 60.4 in./60.0-in.
Height: 57.7 in.
Suspension
Front: MacPherson Strut with lower L-arm, anti-roll barRear: Multi-link with trailing link/hub carrier, lateral link, camber control link and toe control link, and anti-roll bar
Brakes
Front: 12.6-inch vented discs, single-piston sliding calipers
Rear: 11.0-inch solid discs, single-piston sliding calipersElectronic driving aids/inhibitors: ABS, Torque Management System, DSC (mostly defeatable)
Wheels and Tires
Wheels: 18x7J Aluminum
Tires: 215/45R18 Bridegestone Potenza RE050A