http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...cleId=109468#1
2007 Mazdaspeed 3


What is it?
2007 Mazdaspeed 3

What's special about it?
Few cars have more tuning potential than the well-sorted Mazda 3, which many consider the most desirable economy car in the U.S. market. Mazda made us wait a good long time for the high-performance Mazdaspeed 3 version, but the payoff is that it has a lot more power than we expected.

That's because Mazda engineers found a way to stuff the Mazdaspeed 6's turbocharged 2.3-liter inline four under the hood of this five-door hatchback. We had doubted the operation would be possible, given that it was already a squeeze to get this intercooled turbo four into the midsize 6, which had to be fitted with a domed hood.

"We changed the 3's dash to accommodate the new engine," Program Manager Tatsuo Maeda explained. "There's a slight indentation in the new dash panel to accommodate it. Also, the hood is raised 20mm."

As on the Mazdaspeed 6, the Mazdaspeed 3's turbo 2.3-liter uses direct injection and has a 9.5:1 compression ratio. However, Mazda is giving an "over 250" horsepower estimate for this 3 compared to 274 on the 6, due to different exhaust routing and emissions equipment. Torque should hold steady around 280 at 3,000 rpm.

In order to save weight and keep the car affordable, Mazda decided not to feed all this power through an all-wheel-drive system. So the six-speed manual gearbox sends the juice to the front wheels, just like on a normal 3. Mazda has released a 6.1-second 0-to-60-mph estimate, though Mazda reps told us the car would do it in "under 6." Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.

A standard limited-slip differential should tighten the Mazdaspeed 3's line when exiting turns, and Mazda says torque steer won't be a problem, thanks to precise control over power delivery through the first four gears.

Of course, there are plenty of chassis upgrades to get excited about as well. Engineers widened the front track eight-tenths of an inch to accommodate the Mazdaspeed 3's slightly wider 215/45R18 tires. All Mazda 3s get mild suspension revisions for 2007 to improve rigidity, but the Mazdaspeed hatch also benefits from higher spring and damper rates as well as larger-diameter stabilizer bars. The result is 60-percent less body roll, says Mazda.

Braking hardware is upgraded as well. The 12.6-inch front rotors are almost an inch larger than the ones on the regular 3. The rear discs are about the same size, but are now ventilated rather than solid. For safety's sake, ABS, emergency brake assist and stability control are standard.

A revised front grille that doubles as an air intake for the intercooler immediately distinguishes the Mazdaspeed hatch from other 3s, and in back, the tailpipe is 3.7 inches across. Red stitching accents the black cockpit, and more aggressive sport seats promise to hold you snug through the corners.

What's Edmunds' take?
The '07 Dodge Caliber SRT-4 looked pretty scary when it debuted in Chicago with 300 hp. But with about 280 lb-ft of torque in the Mazdaspeed 3, it now looks like a much tighter battle. If Mazda's hot hatch weighs in lighter than the portly Caliber, it will likely prevail through the turns. — Erin Riches

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What is the world comming to. I wish that this was available when I had to buy an econobox instead of the neon srt4 I got. Seems like its going to be very potent and will be quite the contender for the new cliber srt4.

Seems like honda is loosing hold on the "tuner market" because it doesnt even look like they are trying to compete in the performance arena anymore.

I wonder where this leaves the cobalt SS supercharged and the ion rl. One also has tu supose that toyota will join in sometime.

GM, time to upgrade the cobalt and ion.

 

So the six-speed manual gearbox sends the juice to the front wheels,

It'll be one hell of a burnout machine. It will be strong from 30mph rolls too. Our IRL is only pushing lower 200hp and all it does is peels out and torque steers.

 

Mazda says torque steer won't be a problem, thanks to precise control over power delivery through the first four gears

Is there some sort of torque management software installed? If so, what's the point of giving it so much power and then limiting the power output?

 

I agree that it would appear that there are limites to how much power you can get to the front wheels before it becomes hard to drive, dangerous or even unpleasant.

However you cant just use one model as your basis.

The srt4 I drive has very little torque still, almost not noticable and it has more power then the IRL (I have driven both). Next you could look up the honda accord v6 6 speed. Again, more power and very light torque stear (I have driven one to).

Now I have never gotten behind the wheel of a V8 grand prix or monte carlo, but its seems they have risen the bar in power delivery and drivibility.

I dont think it will be as undrivable as one might expect.

Of course, I have to agree that RWD is still king in performance and fun factor.

I know you could come up with many more examples of cars with similar power and lots of torque stear (like most nissans for example). But my point is that it is possible to have a good ride, and lots of power in FWD.

 

Yeah... that's what happens when you benchmark against japanese sub-compacts.

 

I like the Mazda 3 alot ,and I love what they did with the speed3 version . If it woulda been out 8 months ago , I woulda probably chose it over the SS . Time to step it up GM

Hopefully the Cobalt refresh has that 260/260 2.0 turbo engine . Given the 2.0 supercharged underrating , it wouldnt be thaaaat big of boost though actually .

slt- next time your up for tires go a little wider if ya can . Ive talked to few SS guys that have went with a 7.5 or 8" rim with a 235/40-18 tire and it has helped immensely in the traction and wheel hop dept. I dunno what tires the Ion has stock , but the Pirelli Rosso's on the SS are hard as rock ....Ive grown to hate them .

 

Sounds like a hot little car. Too bad no 4 door version. OR 2 door! Thats where my Cobalt has a big advatage.

I doubt it will come in at 280lbs-ft.

The Mazda CX-7 is based off the same platform and has the same Turbo 2.3--it has 258lbs-ft. Still that is lots of torque for a little car.

 

that would be a sweet motor to stuff into the snout of a Miata though...