MAZDA 3 MPS DRIVERS
MAZDA 3 MPS PLUS

However, the MPS is cleverly positioned вЂ“ wisely priced, massively equipped. The Golf GTI and Focus ST offer a better take on the five-door hot hatch theme, the Astra VXR and Focus RS are more convincingly loony front drivers. Were it not for its competitive price and huge standard spec list, the MPS would be dead in the water. The reach-and-rake adjustable wheel can obscure most of the dash and speedo. The electric window switches are positioned so that youвЂ™re more likely to open the rears than the fronts. The sat-nav is operated only by steering wheel-mounted controls, which means passengers canвЂ™t tweak it on the go. ItвЂ™s spacious, comfortable and extremely well equipped as standard (Bose stereo, keyless go, sat-nav, a car-in-your-blind-spot warning system), if lacking in charm or class. What will it be like on wet roads with half-munched tyres, we wonder?ДЇairly perfunctory. ItвЂ™s frenetic like the first Focus RS, and mildly alarming at times.

MAZDA 3 MPS DRIVERS

But take to the back roads and the curse of powerful front drivers is ever-present as the MPS weaves and locks onto camber changes. On dry major roads you wonвЂ™t be unduly troubled by torque steer, even if you do notice itвЂ™s there. The rideвЂ™s firm and road noise is high (but both are better than the Civic Type R), the brakes are strong, the steering accurate and light. Post-5000rpm itвЂ™s a little breathless, but generally the ratios are well judged to land you back in the powerband.

The 2.3-litre turbo four is tractable from very low revs, but the real thrust is delayed to 2600rpm, at which point you get a proper kick in the back. In fact, it looks quite a lot like an Impreza вЂ“ elegantly brutal from some angles, plain old gawky from others.

MAZDA 3 MPS PLUS

The new car is far more eye-catching with pronounced bumpers, a chunky rear spoiler and sideskirts plus an Impreza-style bonnet scoop. Watching the old MPS whizz past was much like watching wallpaper paste dry on a wet winter Sunday вЂ“ it was drab with a capital Zzz. ThereвЂ™s revised power steering, sportier shocks and springs, a beefier bodyshell that ups torsional stiffness by 41%, while torque steer is better-quelled by clever electronics to modulate torque delivery, plus a limited slip diff and taller gearing.

Yes indeed, but the old car always struggled to transmit its ample power to pavement, so Mazda has instead focused on finessing everything else. The same power? With a Focus RS prowling the streets?

Mazda 3 mps