While Mazda is enjoying the attention they are getting from the new and stylish Mazda 3 sedan and hatchback, we are keeping our ears open on how their upcoming MPS model will be like. A report from Auto Express back in July suggests that it might be using a 2.0-liter engine with 200-horsepower, which is a bit odd since the outgoing model has 50 horses more.
But a recent report from Australia’s Drive gives a better insight of the upcoming MPS, and this includes the car to bear an all-wheel drive system for the first time. Speaking to the Mazda 3 deputy program manager Takeo Mariuchi, all-wheel drive is a possible option for the upcoming MPS as the Mazda 3’s platform is shared with the all-wheel drive CX-5.
With all-wheel drive stepping in to alleviate the torque steer that afflicted the outgoing model, the engineers can now put in more power into the car. For reference, the outgoing model is powered by a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine developing 263-horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque.
With such specs, the Mazda 3 MPs could stand a chance in taking on the serious performers, and that includes the famous Japanese all-wheelers like the Subaru WRX or even the Mitsubishi Evo X. Then again, Mazda has yet to commit on a final configuration for the new MPS, as they “need to watch the market requirements”, said Mariuchi.
