While Mazda's big news for 2012 is the first application of its revolutionary new SkyActiv gasoline fourcylinder in the refreshed Mazda3-to be followed sometime down the road by an equally revolutionary SkyActiv diesel engine- the flagship of the Mazda3 lineup, the Mazdaspeed3 (which should be designated the HyperActiv, given its nature and in keeping with Mazda's new appellation), continues to do its thing, unfazed by all the hoopla.
That's fine with me because the Speed3's thing continues to be sporty thrills for those whose wallet doesn't stretch far enough to afford big-horsepower muscle cars or highbuck European sedans.
Its $29,695 list price is on the high end for compact cars, but it's wholly reasonable considering its legitimate performance bona fides. Plus, its compact hatchback form offers cargo-carrying utility while also disguising its Qship persona (keeping it off police radar)-unless its attributes are used injudiciously. Finally, there simply aren't that many of its kind around. The other mainstream Japanese automakers have nothing like the Speed3 in their lineup, leaving it to the smaller makers-Subaru and its WRX five-door and Mitsubishi with its Lancer Sportback Ralliart-to provide the hot hatch competition (the Sube and Mitsu are more expensive but offer the added benefit of allwheel drive).
So, how about the Speed3's performance? A 2.3-litre direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder that delivers 263 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque at 3,000 rpm through a closeratio six-speed manual transmission is a recipe for fun. Minimizing (but not completely eliminating) the front wheels and their very grippy P225/40R18 performance rubber from spinning uselessly is a torquesensing conical limited-slip differential. Hard numbers as recorded by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada have the 1,500kilogram Speed3 cruising to 100 kilometres an hour in 6.9 seconds-certainly quick but not the stuff of legend.
Passing power is far more impressive-80 to 120 km/ h in 4.8 seconds. Yet, more than the numbers are the push back in the seat and the sound of the turbo hitting its stride, which never fails to elicit a grin. If nothing else, the Speed3 is a very visceral experience.
It's also rather thirsty, especially if the turbo is given a workout. I averaged 13 litres per 100 kilometres in a mix of city and highway use-and, like most highstrung turbo engines, the Speed3 runs on premium.
Given the gearing-at least in the lower cogs-getting a clean upshift without any jerkiness takes a little more concentration in the Speed3 as it does in, say, the Miata, especially in traffic. The Speed3 likes a clear road and a firm hand with the shifter, which is stiff but has well defined gates. As was expected, my wife, who dislikes any car that doesn't have a smooth, linear power flow, turned her nose up at the Speed3.
She didn't appear overly impressed with the car's ride qualities either, which are definitely skewed toward the firm side of the sporting equation.
From a latent boy racer standpoint, however, the Speed3's sport-tuned suspension (stiffer springs and stabilizer bars at both ends) and electro-hydraulic power steering provide unerring feedback and an intimate connection with the road that is truly top-notch. Twisty bits of road are relished not feared. Helping to keep the car tracking its intended line are standard traction control and dynamic stability control.
Brakes, the final piece of performance dynamics, are equally up to the task, befitting a car with a potential top speed of 250 km/h. Ventilated discs up front measuring 320 millimetres and 280-mm solid discs in the back, along with ABS, electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist allow the Speed3 to drop anchor from 100 km/h in a short 38 metres.
From a driving standpoint, my only beef is the lack of a hill holder when stopped on inclines. The Speed3 isn't an econobox, it's a $30,000 sport hatch -and I've seen hill holders on a number of less expensive cars.
A new Technology Package ($2,440) for 2012 includes blind spot monitoring (BSM), intelligent key, push-button start, eight-way-adjustable power driver's seat, satellite radio, colour information display, navigation system and automatic front-lighting system. The BSM system is handy in rush-hour traffic, with radar sensors located at the rear that detect approaching vehicles within a range of four metres to the left or right and within eight metres from the rear. When a vehicle is detected entering the zone, indicator lamps housed within the door mirrors light up.
If a turn signal is activated while the indicators are lit, they flash and a buzzer serves as an additional warning. For those who have eyes in the back of their heads or otherwise find it annoying, the system can be deactivated.
Other than a change to the backlighting of the instrument cluster for better readability and a leather-wrapped parking brake knob to match the shift knob, the Speed3's interior remains unchanged. The heated sport bucket seats are very comfy and properly supportive in the right places when one succumbs to the temptation of exploring the car's cornering limits. There's plenty of legroom up front for taller folk, but having the front seats fully back in their tracks severely curtails the legroom of rear-seat occupants.
My biggest cabin beef is with the tiny display window for the navigation system, which is tough enough to read in the daylight but almost impossible to see when it's dark and the headlights are on.
Hot hatches are an ingenious compromise-sports car and compact hauler in one. And, among the few available, Volkswagen's GTI is probably the most sophisticated: smooth, quick and very European. The Speed3 is almost its antithesis-more aggressive with its unique body bits, rawer, frenetic and more of a handful when its limits are explored, especially in the wet. Some will be put off by its brashness, others will welcome the challenge. Count me among the latter.
The specs:
Type of vehicle: Front-wheel-drive sport hatchback
Engine: Turbocharged 2.3L DOHC fourcylinder
Power: 263 hp @ 5,500 rpm; 280 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000 rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Brakes: Four-wheel disc with ABS
Tires: P225/40R18
Price: base/as tested: $29,695/$32,335
Destination charge: $1,695
Transport Canada fuel economy L/100 km: 11.5 city, 8.0 hwy.
Standard features: Dual-zone climate control with micron air filter, steering wheel-mounted cruise control, telescopic steering wheel, power door locks, windows and heated mirrors, illuminated entry, trip computer with fuel economy, speed and distance data, Bose AM/ FM/CD audio system with 10 speakers, MP3 capability and auxiliary input, antitheft alarm system, unique Mazdaspeed body-colour front grille, rear spoiler, side sill extensions and bumpers, bixenon lights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, half-leather heated front bucket seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.
