Road Test of the Month, by Rich Velardo

The last time I road tested a Mazda 3 I bought one of 'em. They're great cars, fairly quick,

good handling, well made and so popular that they're sold out before they arrive at the

dealerships. Most of my readers undoubtedly know about the Mazdaspeed cars, I've tested the

Mazdaspeed Protoge', Mazdaspeed MX-5 and Mazdaspeed 6, all are faster and better handling

than the normal version of that model. So now it's time to test the very latest and hottest of the

Mazdaspeed family of fast cars... the 2007 Mazdaspeed 3. Get a grip on the steering wheel, we're

about to drop the hammer and launch one of these puppies. This car's got some real Zoom-Zoom.

Built around the same basic body shell as my five door Mazda 3, the Speed 3 adds body

stiffening braces to enhance handling, larger 18" wheels with summer duty only tires, larger

brakes and suspension mods to control the added power. How much added power? Let's start

with a comparison, my 3 has the 2.3 liter engine that is rated at ~160 HP, the Speed 3 uses a

turbocharged version of that same engine (to a peak of 15.6 PSI and a compression ratio of 9.5:1)

that puts out 263 HP! Those big numbers in the combustion chamber = bigger numbers in the

power department and don't neglect the 280 lbs. ft. of torque either! To permit the high

combustion chamber ratios and boost pressures Mazda has used a large air/air inter-cooler and

direct fuel injection to help the engine keep it's cool. Unique pistons, connecting rods and other

specific internal parts are used to hold things together inside the block. While your mileage may

vary, Mazda predicts that your 91 octane mileage will average 20 - 28 mpg, if you're good.

Couple that power to a 6 speed manual transaxle, for a monstrously quick front drive car, 0-

60 in 5.8 to 6 seconds flat, and the quarter mile at 14.3 seconds and 99 mph (figures from Car &

Driver and Motor Trend magazines). Sadly there is no all wheel drive on the little Speed 3 and

putting all of that massive power through the front wheels means only one thing; torque Steer,

and plenty of it you say? Well, not quite. Mazda wisely used trick torque reduction programs to

limit power in the first three gears, it's not until after third gear that full power is unleashed - and

then... you're gone. A limited slip differential helps to manage the torque steer, and the Speed 3

also reads steering wheel angle to help decide when to reduce power, it does work, with very

little torque steer evident on my test ride.

Not only is this little zoomer fast in a straight line, it's also a very competent corner blaster,

very competent. Trust me.

Inside the cabin, Mazda has added some great sport seats with more side bolstering, leather

seats in the GT version with cloth inserts for the seating surfaces while the Sport version makes

do with all cloth seats. Both the Sport ($22,835) and Grand Touring ($24,550) are well equipped,

but there is a short options list of goodies that can be added. The radio is excellent, but why

bother, when you've got those great Zoom-Zoom sounds from the exhaust?

My only concerns, besides the long arm of the law of course, were the just off the floor clutch

engagement and rather vague shifter pattern. There is still some torque steer but it's very

manageable, none of these concerns is a deal breaker mind you and any driver will quickly adjust

to them.

Only 5000 of these cars will be built, many are already sold even though the cars have not

been delivered to dealers yet. If you want one, order NOW. Available colors are; True Red,

Sunlight Silver, Black Mica or Cosmic Blue Mica. My Black Mica tester (already sold before it

was delivered) was provided by Park Mazda of Wooster, but any of the Mazdaspeed dealers will

be able to order one.