Spied: 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 spotted at the 'Ring

[Gman333-X-ferrari]

Originally Posted by Autoblog

With the new 2010 Mazda3 on its way, the next logical question for any gearhead worth his driving shoes is when we'll set our eyes on the next Mazdaspeed version. Well, we have our answer already if the latest batch of spy shots are to be believed. The current Mazdaspeed3, also known as the Mazda3 MPS in Europe and the Mazdaspeed Axela in the Japanese domestic market, is a veritable barn-stormer and Mazda's performance engineers will be eager to follow up with an even hotter version of the new model. This prototype, bearing all the hallmarks of the new 3 coupled with all manner of performance bolt-ons, was spotted lapping the vaunted Nürburgring Nordschleife wearing a bit of camo and a lot of speed. The shots reveal the presence of a big ol' hood scoop, oversized alloys, a full aero kit and dual exhaust. Of course, the next question is what engine will be crammed under that gaping bonnet vent, with some suggesting a revamped version of the current model's direct-inject 2.3-liter turbo four and others the Volvo-derived 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo slated to crank out 300 hp in the new Euro-only Ford Focus RS. Tantalizing options, both, but we'll just have to wait and see what the Zoom-Zoom crew have in store for us.

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Holy crap, this car should be a real cracker. I'm liking the sound of that Volvo straight five turbo, but 300 hp is just insane.

[mclarensmps]

Looking heaps better than the sedan, but I can't say I'm a fan of the tail lights jutting out like that... all the Japs seem to be doing this of late.

[bartboy9891]

Will it have the differential that Ford claims is going to make the Focus RS amazing? It'd be awesome if it actually was AWD like the MS6 was.

[CaterhamSuper7]

Still no LSD. Came across this rendering of the car without the disguise from a Japanese forum. Looks awesome!

Not sure why the image link is not showing...

[Crazyjeeper]

Originally Posted by bartboy9891

Will it have the differential that Ford claims is going to make the Focus RS amazing? It'd be awesome if it actually was AWD like the MS6 was.

+1

An AWD Speed3 would be the perfect hot hatch IMO.

[Final Daihatsu]

Ahh, I'd like some of these in Israel instead of the boring 1.6L ones. But the MPS versions aren't imported... :<

[NecroJoe]

Hmm...can't quite put my finger on why, but I don't like it as much as the current one. I think I like the front better, but the back...I don't know...

[thedguy]

Originally Posted by Crazyjeeper

+1

An AWD Speed3 would be the perfect hot hatch IMO.

with a 300hp turbo 5 (or still "just" the 2.3l turbo with 270hp like in the speed 6) and AWD it would be the successor to the 323GTX us mazda fans have been waiting for... now hopefully it'll lay waste to the evo's/sti's if it gets AWD