Japan Report: Hotter Mazda2 MPS In The Wings
Behind closed doors in Hiroshima, Mazda already has an MPS (Mazdaspeed) version of the hot new Mazda2 supermini ready to go, according to our spies in Japan.
Due in 2008, this baby bomber will pack a 2.0-liter DISI turbocharged four, good for 230 brake horsepower and 231 pound-feet of torque, which will drive the front wheels through a six-speed close-ratio box.
We expect to see the usual sports body kit and alloy wheel treatment, all of which sounds great to us.
The bad news? It's almost certainly not coming to the States.
+ WINDING ROAD: Geneva Motor Show: Mazda2 Launches To Fans Of Small Cars, Justin Timberlake
Comments
Ramsey
Why is the US forced to suffer with cars like the crappy version of the Ford Focus and miss out on world class cars like the Ford Mondeo? I would love a hot little hatch like this, but I can't buy one. Mileage and performance are not diametrically opposed. The VW GTI gets better mileage than the Rabbit, but I don't want to spend nearly 30K on that small of a car when the STI is coming. Bring something like this, keep the price and weight down, and let me buy the damn thing...
ryan
the specs look nice enough, maybe they'll actually make the car look nice too.
but of course, i won't be able to determine in the flesh, unless i buy a planeticket.
ryan
and let me buy the damn thing…
i agree ramsey. i think you put it better than i.
Don
One of these days, a car like this WILL come to the United States! Ahahahahahahahahahaha!
Mena
I still don't understand why we in the US never get cool cars like these. The only cools cars we get are one's priced over $30K (STi and Evo). This car would obviously be cheaper than a WRX or MS3. Why can't we get it?
Dave
Given the MX-5, Miata, uses a 2.0L could the technology used on this engine be applied there for MX-5 MazdaSpeed? I'd sign up!!!
Bob Martel
I just got my Mazdaspeed 3 and it is a real ROCKET, available for under $25K right now at your nearest Mazda dealer!
André
The Mazda2 would fall under the sub-compact class of passenger cars. The United States has received a growing number of small cars from overseas markets and will be importing the BMW 135i and Saturn Astra. The complaint about North America not receiving Ford's Euro Focus is a weak one. The Focus is priced as a mid-range vehicle in the UK. The Focus would retail for more money than a Fusion--about $18,600. That is almost $5,000 more than the American Focus ZX3, which is a compact economy car. The Mondeo (a class smaller than the Taurus) would retail for $700 more.
dante
The Mazdaspeed3 is nice, but about 3k lbs. The non-turbo 2 is only about a hundred pounds heavier than an Elise. I'd buy one. A car that's light is fun even without much power and brakes and tires seem to last forever (or at least longer than the year the tires usually last with me).
Motor Authority » Mazda2 MPS in the works
[...] Mazda’s new MPS (Mazdaspeed) range offer performance levels comparable with much more expensive cars and has quickly become the bang for your buck standard in many segments. Now the range is set to expand with the latest addition to be based on the recently launched Mazda2 hatch. The car is said to have already finished its development and is set to go on sale early next year according to the guys at Winding Road. [...]
naggs
im guestimating some numbers to plug into the SpD formula
if this car is 230 hp, 2300lbs and $20k then its SpD rating is 5000! which easily puts it at the top of the list.
even if its 2400 lbs and $22k, its still SpD=4356 which is still comfortably at the top.
worst case senerio, the car is significantally heavier than the base model at 2500 lbs and it is a limited edition model with a pricetag of $25k, that would put the SpD at 3680 which is between a MS3 and the ariel atom.
wow am i pissed that this is not comming to the US.
Mazda2 MPS reportedly in the works-- Ride Care Depot
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Review Cars Blog » Blog Archive » Mazda2 MPS reportedly in t
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Mazda2 MPS? » Australian Car Advice | News Blog
[...] Winding Road reports Mazda are all but finished working on a top of the range turbo-charged Mazda2. The Mazda2 MPS will be based on the new generation Mazda2 landing in Australia come October. [...]
Rumores acerca de un Mazda2 MPS
[...] Desde que ví esta imagen del pequeño Mazda2 he estado pensado en si se llegaría a ver un Mazda2 MPS o no. Pues según Winding Road, hay rumores que apuntan a que sí. Así que ya tenemos una pelotilla racing que añadir a la lista. [...]
www.mundomotorizado.com » ¿Un Mazda2 MPS? Sí, por favor
[...] [...]
Turbo Tuning » Mazda2 MPS reportedly in the works
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Winding Road » Archive » Hot-Hatch Loving Mazda UK Wants a M
[...] There are no official plans by Mazda to bring a Mazda2 MPS to the UK, but the carmaker admits that it would be possible. That sliver of hope has Mazda UK marketing director Mark Cameron is lobbying to bring such a car to English shores. [...]
Winding Road » Archive » Japan Report: Japan Car of the Year
[...] includes cars like the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Honda Fit (Jazz), Mazda Demio (Mazda2), and Nissan’s V36 Skyline sedan and coupe (the Japanese speaking cousins to America’s Infiniti [...]
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