Mazdaspeed 3

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Mazdaspeed 3

Manufacturer	Mazdaspeed
Production	2006-present
Class	Sport compact
Body style	Station wagon
Layout	FF layout
Transmission	6-speed manual
Wheelbase	2640 mm (103.9 in)
Length	4485 mm (176.6 in)
Width	1755 mm (69.1 in)
Height	1465 mm (57.7 in)
Track	1530 mm (60.2 in) (front), 1513 mm (59.6 in) (rear)
Related	Mazda Axela Ford Focus Volvo C30
Similar	Dodge Caliber SRT-4 Honda Civic Si Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Subaru Impreza WRX STI Volkswagen Golf GTI

The Mazdaspeed 3 or Mazdaspeed Axela is a sport compact station wagon introduced by Mazdaspeed for the 2007 model year, as a performance-enhanced version of the Mazda3. Mazda unveiled the Mazda3 MPS at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show in February. The same model will be sold in North America as the Mazdaspeed 3 and as the Mazdaspeed Axela in Japan. Pricing is to start at US$ 22,835 (including destination) and it is designed to compete with the latest generation of hot hatches, including the Dodge Caliber SRT-4, and the new Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit GTI.

The 3 features the same turbocharged 2.3-liter DISI MZR engine from the Mazda6 MPS/Mazdaspeed 6. For this application, it produces 263 hp (184 kW) and 280 ft·lbf (380 N·m) for the European market, while the North American market will receive a retuned version rated at 263 hp and 280 lbf·ft when running on 91 octane gasoline ((R+M)/2). This is routed through the front wheels rather than an four-wheel drive system as on its big brother. The Australian market receives the Mazda3 MPS with the same engine as the Mazda6 MPS with 190 kW of power. The engine was listed in the Ward's 10 Best Engines. It was reported that a dealer option is available to increase its power to 300 hp.[1]

A limited slip differential is standard, along with a six-speed manual transmission, traction control and Dynamic Stability Control. No automatic transmission option is offered. To limit wheelslip, boost in the first gear will be limited to produce a maximum of 230 horsepower. Boost is also limited in second gear. The amount of boost reduction is determined by the gear selection and steering angle. There is no reduction of boost in gears above second.

It uses the five-door hatchback body of the Mazda3 with extra structural bracing. Volvo-sourced 12.6 in (320 mm) front and 11.0 in (280 mm) rear brake discs hide under 18 in (457 mm) wheels.

Critical reception has been generally very positive, with automotive writers praising the car's balance of good performance and low cost. The review by Edmunds.com compared the vehicle favorably to some more expensive rivals, saying "It's a lot of machine for the money and it offers the same balance of speed, practicality and value we've found previously only in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution or Subaru WRX STI." Several road tests have the Mazdaspeed 3 going 0-60 in under 6 seconds with skidpad numbers in the .87 to .88 range. In Car and Driver magazine's May 2007 issue, the Mazdaspeed 3 recorded its quickest acceleration times, completing the 0-60 mph sprint in 5.4 seconds, with a quarter mile time of 14 second flat at 101 mph.