MPS Mazda not to be ignored

Nov 16 2009 John Connor

MPS Mazda not to be ignored

SPORTS cars are strange beasts. They go fast, handle well are generally expensive to insure, fuel and run, yet motorists form queues to buy them.

It does not seem to matter how low the cars sit on the ground, how noisy the exhaust, or how small the boot, they attract drivers of all ages like moths around a lamp.

Modest open tops, compact two seaters, and thoroughbred 'get up and go' super cars, that are only one step away from racing machines, are all in this mix. In short, they are always someone's dream machine.

Well for fans of the sports car there's some good news from Mazda which has introduced a very sporty MPS version of its mid-sized hatchback.

Mazda as everyone know is an expert at producing high performance cars, and it is recognised throughout the world as the manufacturer, whose faith in two seat open tops, saved the marque from extinction with its iconic MX-5.

So its new Mazda3 MPS is not one to be ignored. Redlining at 155mph this four seat performance car can swallow up to 300 litres of luggage and its powerful 2.3 engine returns a creditable 29.4mpg on the combined cycle, although I feel its CO2 emission rating of 224g/km is a little on the high side. That said and done this sports hatch is a beauty to behold.

Its exterior looks have been toned down from the previous model. Even with a larger rear spoiler and sporty front end I feel it is more sophisticated and offers a less overt and more covert sports look.

Looks however do not add or detract from performance and this MPS oozes performance. The handling is top-notch. The brakes powerful and the 18in alloys, shod with R18 Dunlop tyres ideal for the road.

Acceleration is good, the ride smooth and because the car has a lowered suspension, it sits comfortably on roads of all types. From the off you get the feeling that this sports car has been designed by a team that knows exactly what it is doing and I think the opposition will sit up and take notice.

The interior is roomy and quite sporty in design with wrap round bucket sports seats, and a fascia that whilst it looks busy, is very functional with all the instruments in place and within finger tip touch.

I am not an enthusiastic fan of sports cars, but this one did attract me.

It just seemed to have it all. It was powerful, sporty, and well balanced without being too aggressive, and I feel it will certainly help Mazda's sales charts move in the right direction.

Not only does it have all the right ingredients required by drivers of their sports cars but this latest version of the Mazda3 has another lure or two.

Only 500 will be built each year, so it will be a little exclusive and at £21,500 is is extremely well priced.