Test Drive Mazda Mazda 3 MPS (Mazdaspeed 3) since 2009 Hatchback

Mazda 3 MPS.

Mazda 3 MPS second generation is still designed for savages. But for the savage of civilized Europe
The creators of the charged version of Mazda 3 did not have to open America to warm the appearance of his popular hatchback. First, the usual treshka looks quite impressive with a wide smile of a radiator lattice, made in the form of a giant air intake. Not every fighter fourth generation is the same. Not to mention the specific biomorphism of its outlines, to which far and the fifth generation of air fighters. Secondly, a set of visual elements charging the appearance of a car is well known and, given the excellent basis for creativity, it remains only to harmoniously use them all, not missing anything substantial. First of all, it is a nostril on the hood for cooling the intercooler of turbocharging. It is she clearly testifies to the special character of the model and precisely for the lack of it and her such convexities, the previous MPS was exposed to a special criticism of lovers of such special effects. Attention attention to the powerful fins of the hood himself, and under it to become a grooved front wings. Of course, it did not cost without side skirts, two exhaust pipes and antiques on the edge of the roof. A large aerodynamic trump card does not look like this visor, but it significantly reduces the lifting force on the rear axle at the speeds, which are calculated by the violent Japanese cast.
There is less changes in the salon. On black appliances scales - red swing digit and letter MPS. Between the scales - the LED indicator of pressure pressure, visualizing the game of muscles, which turbine leads. Semi-speaking armchairs with good support, but not muted sides, as well as the upholstery are decorated with a special topic resembling digitized scarlet sails, developing in black space of the mysterious world in which buyers of this kind of cars live. And the red face of upholstery with its clarity as it is trying to return them to reality.
But where! The red design of the design takes further. Salon, honestly, does not look luxurious. But he will not refuse the wealth of a different kind. One of the most elegant solutions is an interactive backlight. When removing the locks, the lighting of the dashboard, the cabin and pedals begins to flicker. When opening the door flashes brighter. Then one after another the devices and controls are lit. The driver is immersed in the special world of Mazda Performance Series.
Turbine names
On the road, the new MPS left a dual impression. On the one hand, this is a sense of complete satisfaction from staying behind the wheel of a fast and dynamic car, which is not annoying and not frightened by its speed and way to implement its dynamic possibilities. On the other hand, there is some bewilderment from this feeling, which in such a car should not arise far away, if it is generally appropriate. This does not mean that everything in the new MPS is good and completely nothing to complain. It is very possible to find face. And not so much to the clutch, which, in principle, should be such a rescued, triggering instantly, why on every traffic light, you wish you or not, easy spelling of tires is heard with a careless reset of the right leg. You get used to it, however, quickly. As, probably, to the nature of the engine, which, however, does not eliminate the need to make some comments.
Under the hood is the same 2,3-liter MZR DISI with turbocharging and direct fuel injection, which stood on the MPS of the first generation. Improved mainly only his management system, so that it began to comply with EURO 5 standards and even slightly reduced fuel consumption. Clear, not free. Overclocking speaker remained at the same level, but the focus of the engine has shifted to the lower revolutions area. That is, this engine is a moment, and not spinning in his spirit. The turbo engine wakes up fairly early, from 2500 rpm, and continues to pull up to 5,000 perfectly. But it's no sense to bring it to a boil in an area of \u200b\u200b7,000 rpm. There will be no noticeable power upholstery and acceleration. Therefore, the desire to spur the car makes switching at distant to the limit modes of the engine, it seems that the motor potential is not fully used. The sound is not that. The new MPS and at the highest revolutions do not at all in some inconspicued sobs, and with early switching, the acoustic effect disappears at all. In principle, this is good. And for ecology (high speed is most of all), and for comfort sitting in the cabin. For a normal person - solid advantages. But the whole problem is that MPS is a car for abnormal.
Hence the duality of all the estimates. The second generation MPS has become better practically in all respects. The balance of comfort and aggressiveness in it is found at a higher level. That is, the dynamic aggression did not fall down, and the comfort became so higher that this car would not call a toy day off. It is quite possible to ride every day. It wants to ride every day.
From the usual treshka MPS is characterized by more stringent chassis settings (springs, shock absorbers, transverse stability stabilizers), and this car can not be mild. Even German concrete concrete in the vicinity of Hamburg, where our test drive was held, did not seem at all as the table. However, the chassis settings and the steering system are chosen so that the driver feels rigidity, but she does not irritate it. The steering wheel is very accurate, dense, and the car instantly follows his slightest whims, and without hassle, sometimes accompanying driving sports cars. Especially pleasant MPS on the autobahn at a speed of 250 km / h. Stability - awesome! But it is good for a normal person. And for abnormal? Will it like if I say that 250 km / h at the new MPS do not feel? Is that the hood because of their nostrils begins to shake from the oncoming stream, like an aspen leaf in the wind. But the KP lever began to vibrate much less, which for the former MPS was a problem. I suppose, however, that Mazda designers have been enough for all the strength of all nodes. In any case, the rigidity of the body as a whole through the use of high-strength steel has increased, and this is very noticeable. Hysteresis increased by 15% (the magnitude of the load at which plastic deformations arise). At the same time, the new MPS has become 25 kg easier. The volume of the tank is increased by 5 liters.
Significant moment
One of the most significant moments during sports riding on powerful front-wheel drive cars is the fight against the so-called force influxing. In the turn, when you press the gas steering wheel, it starts to simply unscrew the driver's hand, what kind of pilot accuracy is to talk about here! MPS creators worked in this direction. The engine control system now takes into account the angle of rotation of the steering wheel and, in accordance with it, limits the torque of the motor. The electronics cuts the thrust by 40% when the steering wheel is rotated by more than 30.
There is no particular damage to the dynamics from this, because overnight times still goes to the ground and only beats the hands of Likhach. Of course, with such a system, the car in turn behaves much better. I will make a reservation: from the point of view of a normal person.
However, despite the fact that the peaks of the power curve, for which the laggy feelings of uncompromising driving lovers have previously clinging, are thoroughly smoothed by an electronic file, in the new MPS more than enough ways to rinse the nerves. When the bus stabilization system is disabled at the start, squeezes so long that passing by the girls manage to turn around, with a delicious indifference to take a glance and with even more delicious indifference to look back again. The steering wheel when overclocking on a straight to the floor trembles in his hands, like a caught bird. And the acceleration itself, despite the improvement of environmental and economic indicators, did not slowly. Intersheld high friction differential helps perfectly in turns, screwing out the outer wheel. At the new MPS, the driver may well ride as abnormal if such behavior is considered the norm. But the car itself became much more normal.
Interestingly, the American version of MPS differs from European less discreet reactions to pressing the gas pedal. Americans love to burn rubber, "says Kenyitiro Saruvatari, the head of the Mazda 3 MPS program. - But in the work on the European settings, we primarily paid the attention of high-speed stability when moving in German autobans, as well as when driving in bad weather and in bad roads.
The new MPS rolled up in the United States and in Japan. In Europe, his adjustment was carried out on Nürburgring. The northern loop is famous in that it gives not only a sense of speed, but also a sense of constant danger, accompanying a quick ride on the famous green hell. It is possible, from here and the features of the European version: the sharpness of the manner is softened in the cojustment if not comfortable, reliability under the influence of adverse factors. Of course, the Japanese treated us to the Europeans, although I know that many people will appear on this geographical formalism. It was repeatedly noticed that in car preferences, we are much closer to abnormal Americans, and with one of the increased 15% hysteresis we are unlikely to be innguing. However, in the new Mazda 3 MPS rather deviations from the norm. For example, the use of 98th gasoline.
Before the appearance of Ford Focus RS with its insane three hundred horses, Mazda 3 MPS was considered the most flammable lighter among her like. The behavior of the second generation MPS is no longer as reminders the dance of St. Witt. And this is good. If, of course, you do not hold the opposite point of view.

Specifications Mazda 3 MPS
Dimensions, mm 4505x1770x1460
Curb weight, kg 1460
Engine type gasoline L4 with turbocharged
Working volume, cube. CM 2261.
Max. Power, hp / rpm 260/5500
Max. Moment, nm / rpm 380/3000
Transmission Mechanical 6-speed
Drive front
Max. Speed, km / h 250 *
Access time is 0-100 km, from 6.1
Fuel consumption (medium), l / 100 km 9.6
* With an electronic limiter.
Leonid Sitnik
Photo of the manufacturer

 
 

 
 

A source: Magazine "Autopanoram"