Born two years ago, Mazda’s 3 elbowed aside Honda Civics and Volkswagen Golfs to become the budget-bound enthusiast’s new sweetheart. Now that Mazda’s speed geeks have recalibrated the hatchback version of the 3, it’s off and running toward the wild, blue, 150-mph yonder.
The core engine for both Mazdaspeed cars is the same long-stroke, 2.3-liter MZR four-cylinder available in most of the cars and trucks in the Mazda lineup, not to mention several Ford Motor Company vehicles. The key ingredients here are an aluminum block and head with forged-steel internals (crank and rods), direct fuel injection, and dual balance shafts. Two overhead camshafts operate four valves per cylinder. To hike output, a Hitachi Warner turbocharger hung on the aft side of the engine passes air pressurized to 16 psi forward through an air-to-air intercooler.
Pumping any engine beyond 100 hp per liter requires a robust foundation and careful tuning of intake, exhaust, and fuel-delivery systems. Squirting the fuel directly into the cylinders at 1600 psi (versus the less than 100 psi used by port-injection systems) is not only more precise, the higher pressu
re also yields smaller fuel droplets that vaporize almost instantly. This change of state--from an atomized liquid to a combustible vapor--absorbs heat from the cylinders. The resulting cooler environment is less susceptible to detonation and more capable of swallowing denser charges of air. Because there’s less chance of detonation, Mazda engineers didn’t have to reduce the compression ration very much compared with the normally aspirated MZR engine’s ratio (9.5:1 turbo, 9.7:1 nonturbo). A higher compression equals more expansion during the power stroke, extra power with or without boost, and higher fuel mileage.
The brakes feel great around town and are able to shed 70 mph worth of speed in only 155 feet. But the modest increase in front rotor size--to 12.6 inches from the standard Mazda 3’s 11.8 inches--means that fade is inevitable when the stoppers are applied forcefully and repeatedly from high velocities. A complete package of stiffer and shorter springs, fatter antiroll bars, and substantially firmer dampers keeps the body’s rock and roll under control without totally wrecking the ride. The electrohydraulic steering is firm and slack-free.
re also yields smaller fuel droplets that vaporize almost instantly. This change of state--from an atomized liquid to a combustible vapor--absorbs heat from the cylinders. The resulting cooler environment is less susceptible to detonation and more capable of swallowing denser charges of air. Because there’s less chance of detonation, Mazda engineers didn’t have to reduce the compression ration very much compared with the normally aspirated MZR engine’s ratio (9.5:1 turbo, 9.7:1 nonturbo). A higher compression equals more expansion during the power stroke, extra power with or without boost, and higher fuel mileage.The brakes feel great around town and are able to shed 70 mph worth of speed in only 155 feet. But the modest increase in front rotor size--to 12.6 inches from the standard Mazda 3’s 11.8 inches--means that fade is inevitable when the stoppers are applied forcefully and repeatedly from high velocities. A complete package of stiffer and shorter springs, fatter antiroll bars, and substantially firmer dampers keeps the body’s rock and roll under control without totally wrecking the ride. The electrohydraulic steering is firm and slack-free.
Two trim levels are offered. The $22,835 Sport edition packages all the go-fast gear with cloth seats and a six-speaker stereo. The $24,550 Grand Touring kicks in partial leather seat trim, a seven-speaker Bose stereo, fancier head- and taillamps, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a security system. Stability control and A/C are standard. A $1750 navigation system can be added to t
he GT.
The Mazdaspeed 3 is one of those rare have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too packages capable of entertaining its driver, hauling family or friends, and minding a budget. What it lacks in refinement, it makes up in charisma. The EPA even blesses it with ratings of 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. But actually achieving that efficiency poses the biggest challenge: driving the Mazdaspeed 3 without guzzling from its deep well of power and torque.
he GT. The Mazdaspeed 3 is one of those rare have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too packages capable of entertaining its driver, hauling family or friends, and minding a budget. What it lacks in refinement, it makes up in charisma. The EPA even blesses it with ratings of 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. But actually achieving that efficiency poses the biggest challenge: driving the Mazdaspeed 3 without guzzling from its deep well of power and torque.
