Mazda3 SP 2.3i MPS
When we talk about clothes and shoes in the Mazda3 MPS, we do not mean fashionable commandments, much less color harmony, although neither the first nor the second is wrong. No, with the most powerful Mazda we're talking more about usability, comfort and therefore efficiency. Shoes should be narrow and close to the feet, as you may already have problems with aluminum feet with slightly wider summer shoes (not to mention winter ones). The accelerator pedal and the brake pedal are very close together, so there is no room above the accelerator pedal for a wider sole.
So, if you don't want to hit the gas and brake again and again, keep thin summer shoes in the trunk when you go to the nearest racetrack, say, on a sports day. The gloves need to be pretty sporty, as this is the only way you can effectively hold the steering wheel when you want to “pull it out of your hands” when exiting corners. The sporty three-spoke steering wheel is a real monoblock, but at full throttle it needs strong hands to manually steer the red projectile from turn to turn. And the path that builds up in the palms won't stop you from finding the high slip limits that this car allows. What do you say, how about a T-shirt? It should be plain, cotton; but when it gets completely wet due to hard work, change it. And let it be red so you know which project you belong to when talking about fashion. .
Remember the Mazda6 MPS? The presentation was a real little revolution, with some already putting it alongside the Impreza and Lancer, although Japanese competitors are still light years ahead of it in both image and technology. However, the fact that some people even thought about such fierce competition is indicative enough. And to be honest, I still remember the test when our Vinko Kernz was in awe of this car, while I could only bump my head that I was not able to test the car at the time.
So I was happy to grab the keys (read the card) of my little brother, who took over some of the technology from the infamous Six. The Mazda3 MPS is a very discreet car in terms of design, but it's so powerful, wild and hard to drive that it reminded me of the previous generation Ford Focus RS after the first few miles. Yes, with a two-liter turbo engine for 220 horsepower, front-wheel drive and differential lock. Considering that the mentioned Ford (still!) occupies a very high position for me, I no longer gave the “keys” to the Mazda3 MPS!
Under the red body hides a great technique. The engine is a 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, so that 3 "horsepower" is no surprise. But if the technique is even a little close to you, then you know that such a lot of power on the front wheels can be difficult. It used to be that front-wheel drive and 260 horsepower was the upper limit of good taste, and what's more, it meant just fighting to stay on the road. Due to progress in the chassis, this limit is set a little higher every year, but in any case, Mazda's stability is fear and awe. Think of a GTI with a quarter less power. .
I fell in love with her after the first kilometers. Because he has so much torque that he can hitchhike several caravans at the same time and take them through Učka back to Slovenia, because he has excellent brakes (for the already mentioned Učka descent), because he has fast and reliable six - a high-speed drivetrain because it sits well (the interior at least hasn't forgotten the great sports seats if it's already structurally tilted!) and mainly because it has a differential lock.
Despite top-end tires (like the Lancer and Impreza!), The Differential lock and the included ESP system (which, thank God, can be turned off), proves full acceleration in second and third gear, where he wants the car to go on its own on the slippery asphalt of Ljubljana ... Usually he wants to go straight, despite the fact that the wheels are spinning, but if the asphalt is slightly inclined, then towards the nearest hole. ...
Otherwise, ESP will soon wake up and correct the driver's error, but then the car will be at least one meter from the ideal direction, which may be too large for this meter. In short: you need to be careful when adding gas, especially when the road is slippery or wet. On the other hand, you can easily mess around in third gear at intersections, as the engine will accelerate confidently from low revs. It rumbles in the mid-range, and at higher revs, when you leave everyone in the road behind you, all you hear is the loud noise from the huge single tailpipe.
Despite current revs, the Mazda3 MPS is a very civilized sounding car; but maybe when we get sportier we just want a little more noble sound from under the hood. Well, if you know why you bought this car, you will probably drive it to the race track occasionally, where you will work hard with the ESP off, but also enjoy it to hell. The steering wheel must be held firmly if you want to move in the right direction, otherwise - like in a front-wheel drive race car - the differential lock determines the path.
Of course, the aforementioned accessory in the front differential requires a little more determined hands, but it pays off with efficiency (full acceleration from corners), better timing (race track) and, above all, less tire wear (no long black marks due to no-load spinning). tires).
The Mazda3's design is too understated to appeal to toddlers, though it has factory-clear taillights and Bose speakers that are (basically) a real eye-catcher for the modern mulatto. The MPS is an amazingly powerful car with state-of-the-art technology, but it doesn't have a sporty image, so it won't appeal to guys who can drive (or just imagine) and appreciate sportiness and serenity. at the same time identify themselves with their racing heroes. The most powerful Three is also too expensive and too greedy for anyone to give their last sparkles for her, even if they like her. So the Mazda3 is for those who don't care what others say or think because they know what they have in the garage. And that is enough for them. But there are fewer of them in this world. .
Alyosha Mrak, photo: Sasha Kapetanovich
Mazda 3 SP 2.3i MPS
Basic data
| Sales: | Mazda Motor Slovenia Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Base model price: | 23.764 € |
| Test model cost: | 24.146 € |
| Calculate the cost of auto insurance | |
| Power: | 191kW (260 KM) |
| Acceleration (0-100 km / h): | 6,1 with |
| Maximum speed: | 250 km / h |
| Mixed flow ECE: | 9,7l / 100km |
Technical information
| engine: | 4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - turbocharged petrol - displacement 2.261 cm3 - maximum power 191 kW (260 hp) at 5.500 rpm - maximum torque 380 Nm at 3.000 rpm. |
|---|---|
| Energy transfer: | engine-driven front wheels - 6-speed manual transmission - tires 215/45 R 18 Y (Bridgestone Potenza RE050A). |
| Capacity: | top speed 250 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h in 6,1 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 13,5 / 7,5 / 9,7 l / 100 km. |
| Mass: | empty vehicle 1.410 kg - permissible gross weight 1.910 kg. |
| External dimensions: | length 4.435 mm - width 1.765 mm - height 1.465 mm - fuel tank 55 l. |
| Box: | 290-1.230 l |
Our measurements
| T = 29 ° C / p = 1.210 mbar / rel. Ownership: 33% / Meter reading: 11.358 km | |
| Acceleration 0-100km: | 6,6s |
|---|---|
| 402m from the city: | 14,8 years ( 159 km / h) |
| 1000m from the city: | 26,8 years ( 201 km / h) |
| Flexibility 50-90km / h: | 5,6 / 8,5s |
| Flexibility 80-120km / h: | 6,2 / 9,7s |
| Maximum speed: | 250km / h (WE.) |
| test consumption: | 14,0 l / 100km |
| Braking distance at 100 km / h: | 36,6m |
| AM table: | 40m |
evaluation
The Mazda3 MPS only confirms what we already wrote for the larger Mazda6: enjoying and (sporting) pampering is its mission, and it does a great job of it. The only thing missing is a picture and a bigger discount, as it costs the same as the famous (otherwise weaker) Golf GTI or Focus ST.
We praise and reproach
differential lock
engine
six-speed manual transmission
Alloy
sports front seats, three-spoke steering wheel
price
fuel consumption
compact design, especially in the interior
pulling the steering wheel out of the hands at full acceleration
