It’s definitely been quite some time since we’ve had the high-performance Mazdaspeed version of the 3 compacts.
Even with its current upmarket feel with the direction they’re headed towards, Mazda vehicles, in general, are quite driver-centric and phenomenally fun to drive. And as a whole, they seem to be a lot more luxurious and refined than ever before.
Mazda’s program manager Kota Beppu has told Autocar that the company is quite close to giving a thumbs up on to creating a high-performance version of the 3 to compete directly with the VW GTI.
It essential will use Mazda’s current turbocharged 2.5-litre-inline-four that Mazda currently uses in their 6 sedan and its CX-9 / CX-5 variants. It is however speculated to be detuned to 227hp and up to 250 hp with premium fuel. It will definitely exceed in torque with 310-lb-ft of it.
For more information: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a27127908/mazda-considers-mazdaspeed-3-hot-hatch/