2007 MAZDASPEED3

Mazda's Mazda3 hatchback in standard dress is a pretty cool little car. This compact handles the rigors of daily life really well while making those trips to and fro more enjoyable. However, the real fun comes to the road now that the MAZDASPEED3 ups the ante considerably with more power and capabilities.


What sets the MAZDASPEED3 apart from other compact five-doors is what lurks unassumingly under the hood. The 2.3-liter in-line four-cylinder engine produces a whopping 263 horsepower, but more importantly 280 lb-ft. of torque. These power numbers are courtesy of a turbocharger that employs an intercooler that sits on top of the engine. This location assisted the designers in keeping the low profile front-end styling.

Styling

Speaking of styling, it may seem as though the MAZDASPEED3 blends into the crowd, but the sharp eye will notice very quickly that it isn't part of that multitude. Beyond the performance on the road, visual cues include a lower stance thanks to a sport suspension system. The unique 18-inch alloy wheels and roof spoiler are a dead giveaway that something is lurking behind that Mazda badge and grille. The MAZDASPEED3 platform also receives valuable reinforcements throughout giving it a stiffer, more rigid base.


We took the MAZDASPEED3 to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, of course, to test its abilities in a safe environment. Don't want to do these things on public roads, you know. Laguna Seca is an 11-turn, 2.6-mile racetrack that also adds in elevation changes that tax even the most powerful of racecars. It proved to be a great place for an evaluation.


The MAZDASPEED3 powers away from stops with very little torque steer thanks to a unique traction control system that keeps the car going straight. That pulling to the side under heavy throttle is an inherent problem in many front-wheel-drive automobiles. The more powerful you make a front-wheel-drive car, the more diligent the engineers must work to keep the car going straight under hard acceleration. While there is a slight tug on the steering wheel, there is no cause for concern. We've been in tuner cars that tried to make 90-degree turns when we jumped on the throttle. Not here.