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Posts Tagged “

Mazdaspeed

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novelties

Why We Love The Community Of Drivers

If you read both the 2008 Mazdaspeed3 and 2008 BMW 128i review, you may have noticed that a couple of pictures looked similar. There's a reason, Mark and I were out driving together. When doing a review it helps to have someone to go with you for assistance in setting up photos and, you know, it's a chance to drive twice the cars. It just so happens that we were near a particularly twisty stretch of road taking pictures when a gentleman in a black Z3 pulled up. Maybe he knew some other great places to drive.

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12:30 PM on Fri Jun 6 2008
By Matt Hardigree
1,173 views, 33 comments

Latest by layabout: That Z3 looks pretty good,never liked them when they first went on sale,they were too much of a fashion car,they have aged well & good value now. more »

jalopnik reviews

2008 Mazdaspeed3, Part Three

Why you should buy the 2008 Mazdaspeed3:
You want a fast car, but have to pick up your children from school. You want a WRX STI, but can't quite afford the running costs and you don't need the AWD anyways. You got a bunch of tickets a few years ago; you still like driving fast, but want to preserve what little credibility is left of your driving record. You've seen the light, and understand that hot hatches are the most practical, best value all-round vehicles for an enthusiast, but you think the WRX is too soft, the GTI needs more power, the Caliber SRT-4 is too loud, and the other 3-doors are too small.

Why you shouldn't buy this car:
You need a dope ride to pick up some shorties. You think "Tokyo Drift" was the most awesome racing movie ever. You don't consider chrome racing rims to be oxymoronic. You want a roof scoop on your car, but have no idea what they're for. When someone says, "driving dynamics," you think they're talking about a tuning company. You like hatchbacks because they have more room in the back for a system.

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Feature

12:00 PM on Thu Jun 5 2008
By Mark Arnold
4,391 views, 60 comments

Latest by n/a: Heeeyyyy. I'm a hairdresser and I find this car to be quite suitable! Mine is ridiculously red, so I have no trouble getting attention in it; especially from the law. The Mazdaspeed3 seems to have done a fine job of developing a more »

jalopnik reviews

2008 Mazdaspeed3, Part Two

Exterior Design: ***
The 2008 Mazdaspeed3 doesn't visually distinguish itself much from the standard Mazda 3 hatchback, but it doesn't need to. The basic design's thick D-pillars, subtle shoulder bulges over the wheels, and angular lines are a good starting point. More important is how the car doesn't look. There are no scoops, fins, stripes, or stickers exclaiming the car's performance. The slightly larger rear spoiler, which we suppose is theoretically functional, looks just like the spoiler on the standard car. The wheels look boring. Even the intercooler is hidden away, breathing through the normal-looking grille.

Interior Design: ***
For some reason, there are more Mazdaspeed logos inside the car than there are outside. But besides some extra red trim and stitching, it's again much like the standard 3. You have plenty of room for a few of your friends and their stuff to come along, though there's not much extra room for the driver's knees. Aside from that, everything is quite comfortable, despite being over-styled in the manner of an athletic shoe.

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Feature

12:00 PM on Wed Jun 4 2008
By Mark Arnold
5,263 views, 73 comments

Latest by WarShrike: I love my Mazda3, and when I can afford to replace my lunky Firebird V6, it'll be a MS3 that'll take up the space. Wife is gonna hate me for buying a car with a stick shift though :) more »

jalopnik reviews

2008 Mazdaspeed3, Part One

Cruising the affluent suburban streets of the Chicago area in the 2008 Mazdaspeed3, I'm looking for trouble. The dimming evening light and warm weather has brought out all the usual suspects: everyone from boy-racers in tuned Hondas to middle-aged men in Ford GTs. Chirping the tires as I dart from stoplight to stoplight, I feel like a 17-year-old taking a joyride in his dad's sports car. But I'm not racing anyone — yet. I'm just trying to get the attention of someone else who wants to run me. It's usually not something I do, but with 263 HP under my right foot, and a 6-speed gearbox in my right hand, I'm in a juvenile mood. Chasing down a previous-generation Subaru WRX that's sporting some aftermarket wheels and a loud exhaust, I feel like I might be biting off just a bit more than I can chew.


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Feature

12:00 PM on Tue Jun 3 2008
By Mark Arnold
9,665 views, 112 comments

Latest by n/a: @jkd77: RE: the kitt stereo lights I couldn't agree with you more. Fortunately you can disable the circus light show from within the audio menu. You can also disable the annoying beep that accompanies every button press or volume change. more »

2010 mazda6 mps

2010 Mazda6 MPS Could Debut In Paris, Get All Wheel Drive

The Euro version of the new Mazda6 will get hotted up with an MPS version at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. Of course, the MPS is the rest-of-world version of the US Mazdaspeed moniker, so our pointy little ears perked right up. Nihon Car is reporting the MPS will be sporting a tweaked 2.5 L turbo four pumping out around 280 HP, and as important will include all wheel drive. Though it will add heft to the bottom line, the added driven wheels will undoubtedly make for much more entertaining handling... that is if Nihon Car is right. Let's hope they are. [Nihon Car]

1:40 PM on Tue May 6 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
2,769 views, 19 comments

Latest by n/a: @Novaload: Amen! So many cool new cars with crappy, forgettable, alphanumeric names. Mazda was probably worried that Americans would call the 'Speed models "PMS" rather than "MPS". more »

racing news

Mazda3 MPS To Tackle Targa Tasmania

What happens when you take the already devilish Mazdaspeed3 (better known as the Mazda3 MPS there) and throw it into the challenging Targa Tasmania? Madness. The folks at Mazda Motorsport are bringing their hot hatch to the 2008 race to compete with the hot pink Nissan GT-R. Unlike other rallies, this race features cars that are mostly stock and include all of the electric systems and upholstery that came with the original car. We imagine this makes it a bit more comfortable for Alister McRae and his co-driver.

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10:40 AM on Wed Apr 9 2008
By Matt Hardigree
1,845 views, 23 comments

Latest by Matt Hardigree: @meng_mao: I went to school in Austin, so both. more »

gossip

Is the Mazda Atenza Mazdaspeed Concept the next Mazdaspeed6?

Though there have been rumors that Mazda would not be adding extra Zoom Zoom to its Atenza/Mazda6 sedan, we now have these pictures of what's being called the "Mazda Atenza Mazdaspeed Concept," which is set for a debut at the 2008 Tokyo Auto Salon. Compared to the stock Mazda 6/Atenza, the body kit is sporty but not over dramatic with new skirts, a lower ride height and revised front/rear bumpers.

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1:30 PM on Fri Dec 14 2007
By Matt Hardigree
1,836 views, 11 comments

Latest by SRekauqh: Minus the front and rear splitters, I'd rock it as long as it had AWD and a better trans than the last gen. more »

comparison reviews

Motive Mag Compares Super Turbo Toybox Potential!

The folks at Motive magazine that's not a magazine have a neat little comparo review of sport compacts or as they put it: "sixteen cylinders and four turbos for 1/13th the price of a Veyron." Why they've got to compare everything to a Bugatti Veyron, we've no idea, but it's a good read especially as it gives Mopar meatheads a chance to to see how the latest member of the SRT tribe, the anything-but-cute Caliber, handles the pressure. Unfortunately, even with 285 HP and 265 lb-ft of torque, the Dodge-loving folks out there may find out the importance of a full TCS-off mode and why the limited-slip diff from the old Neon SRT4 probably shouldn't have been parted with on the new pocket road rocket from the Hemi-powered brand. Check out the fully enjoyable review over at Motive. [Motive]

7:00 PM on Thu Nov 1 2007
By Ray Wert
989 views, 11 comments

Latest by n/a: Despite the limitations of the 2008 WRX out of the box I think it is a better platform to build up from than the other three on test. Upgrade the suspension (stiffer, slightly lower), tires (performance street) and engine (modest more »

take that ya two-wheeled bums

Mazdaspeed3 Flies Round the 'Ring

Imagine taking your Ducati über-bike over to the Nürburgring only to have its heels nipped on by a relatively inexpensive front-wheel-drive Japanese hatchback. A front-wheel-drive Japanese hatchback that is, with a turbocharged 2.3-liter DISI MZR engine that spits out 263 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. The Mazda cracks off a 'Ring time of 8 minutes and 39 seconds, which is identical to a Honda S2000 and about where the NSX and Corvette were a decade ago. Also, we really hope this settles once and for all the debate about what can get around corners faster, cars or bikes. And finally, the Mazdaspeed3 is call the Mazda3 MPS over in dirty old cheese-eating Europe. – Jonny Lieberman More »

11:15 AM on Thu Jun 14 2007
By Jonny Lieberman
3,130 views, 53 comments

Latest by fargin_bastige: I would like to point this little issue out. Although the speed for the little Mazda is impressive, the driver is obviously skilled. The rider is not skilled. I am the editor of a motorcycle website and within 5 minutes of posting more »

concept cars

SUPER JDM POTENTIAL: Mazda to Show off Concepts, Mazdaspeed Models at Tokyo Auto Salon 2007

The Tokyo Auto Salon — Japan's tuner extravaganza — will again hit Makuhari Messe this January, and Mazda's already begun teasing. The company announced it was bringing 17 custom cars and tuner models, including two takes on the CX-7 crossover set to debut in Japan this month, dubbed the "Bright Stylish Concept" (above, based on the North American model already in production) and the "CX-7 Mazdaspeed Concept," a performance-oriented version of the rake-windshield, chop-top SUV. Mazda's also planning to show three other CX-7s, customized by Japanese shops Kenstyle, DAMD and Audio Mania, along with Masdaspeed versions of the Axela (Mazdaspeed3) and RX-8 and various mod jobs based on its MPV, Roadster (MX-5), Premacy (Mazda5) and Verisa. Better book your sleeping pods now, before all the car club kids come into town and take over all the best capsule hotels. – Mike Spinelli More »

10:38 PM on Wed Dec 13 2006
By Mike Spinelli
5,980 views, 4 comments

Latest by hypnotoad: It's been said before, but I don't mind repeating it: if they can find a way to shoehorn the MazdaSpeed6's 6-speed manual into the CX-7, I'm breaking the piggy bank. more »

ad watch

Ad Watch: Slide The Mazdaspeed3 Right In The Slot

This is one funny-ass marketing idea. It's called "Awesome Adventures" and it's using slot car racers to demonstrate the speed of the slowly-hitting-the-market turbocharged Inline-4 Mazdaspeed3. We're not sure who did the creative on it but word to the marketing department — we doubt even a turbocharger would let it blow the doors of a Porsche, but we'll cut Mazda some slack on it cause so many of the new hot hatch 3-doors won't be sold as new after the whole Cougar Ace thing. More »

3:09 PM on Wed Sep 13 2006
By Ray Wert
173 views, 11 comments

Latest by MSC: Much better than those dull bobble-heads in the Dodge ads. Ohhhh - fold down speakers from the trunk! Didn't the Aztec have that? more »

gossip

Does Mazda Have a 256hp MX-5 in the Works?

UK car mag Autocar says tongues are wagging about a new Mazdaspeed (MPS in Europe) MX-5 roadster that could have more than 250 horsepower. It's not known whether Maz will shoehorn in the 2.3-liter turbo mill that gives the Mazdaspeed3 its motivation, or whether it'll work from its existing 2.0-liter template. It'd be good news for Miataphiles, who'd likely be quite willing to put down their hair dryers long enough to test out that newly stiffened chassis, as propelled by a serious powerplant. (Oh, c'mon, we kid because we love.) More »

11:29 AM on Wed May 10 2006
By Mike Spinelli
1,081 views, 7 comments

Latest by n/a: *Solstice! Curse you Gawker Media for your lack of an edit button! lol more »

news

New York Wrap-Up: Mazdaspeed 3

Mazda rolled out its 'speed version of the Mazda3, which it launched in Geneva for Europe as the Mazda MPS. It's got the same 2.3-liter DISI turbo mill pushing nearly 250 hp to the front wheels (not all the wheels, like on its Mazdaspeed6 sibling). Does the VW GTI have anything to worry about, other than whether the Fast will turn feral and tear up its plaid seats? More »

6:14 PM on Thu Apr 13 2006
By Mike Spinelli
309 views, 4 comments

news

Geneva Wrap-up: Mazda MPS

Our digicam somehow failed to translate the new Mazda MPS (that's the Mazdaspeed3 to us Yankers) into anything recognizable by the human eye, so for visuals we turn to the guys at World Car Fans, who've never met a car they didn't post. As expected, the new flagship of the Mazda3 line will be a front driver powered by the company's MZR 2.3L DISI turbo mill, producing 247 hp. Considering this is about the best sports-minded economy car the US will get out of Ford, at least until (if?) the Focus ST finds its way abroad, we're going to go ahead and get excited. Very excited. More »

7:00 AM on Thu Mar 2 2006
By Mike Spinelli
462 views, 9 comments

Latest by noremac: if this prevents the ST from coming here, i say boooooo. i don't think a GTi or civic owner would leave camp to by this more »

news

Mazdaspeed3 to Debut in Geneva

The Geneva show later this month will host the arrival of a new addition to the Mazdaspeed family. It's the long-awaited (by us, at least) Mazdaspeed3 (Mazda3 MPS in Europe), which like its like siblings will get an added turbocharger and other tweaks, bringing horsepower into the 235-250 range. Power will likely be brought to road by only two front wheels, though, not four like the Mazdaspeed6. But don't be sad. As MeatLoaf nearly sang, "two out of four ain't bad." More »

7:34 AM on Tue Feb 14 2006
By Mike Spinelli
440 views, 7 comments

Latest by adamondi: In a beautiful sport wagon like this, I could find true happiness. AWD would add too much weight for this car. This one is all about finesse and driver skill. No AWD to save your butt when you overshoot the more »

news: racing

Mazdaspeed Debuts RX-8 GT Car

Next to GM's $375,000 Grand American Road Racing Rolex Series GTO, Mazdaspeed's turnkey entry looks like a bargain. The Mazda motorsports division is teaming with Florida firm SpeedSource to build an RX-8 for the series that costs a downright economical $280,000. The carbon-fiber bodied racecar will use Mazda's 20B rotary engine (redline: 9,000 rpm) and a tube-frame chassis created by SpeedSource and Mazda says it will "offer a lucrative contingency awards program for the RX-8 in Grand-Am GT for the 2006 season." Incentive enough to spend a season listening to the sound of that crazy buzzsaw in your ear? Maybe. More »

10:15 AM on Mon Nov 21 2005
By Mike Spinelli
314 views, 1 comment

Latest by rheiser: They're sticking a 3-rotor in this baby, huh? I wonder what the future holds for this engine, since I don't think they put the 20B in any of their current production cars. The last car I know had one was more »