Mazda3 to Receive Mazdaspeed Treatment Next Year

Mazdaspeed 3 to Get Detuned Mazdaspeed 6 2.3L Turbo

From the date of its launch, the Mazda3 has been nothing less than a success story for the Japanese firm. Over the past year,

The Mazda3 has been nothing less than a success story for Mazda, picking up where the previous-generation Protegé left off. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

the sedan and five-door Sport models have picked up where the previous-generation Protegé left off, racking up a healthy array of awards. With an attractive blend of upmarket quality and European-influenced performance, all at an affordable price, it's no wonder that 3s are becoming extremely popular across the country.

Mazda's next step for its compact all-star is to crank up the heat with a Mazdaspeed treatment. The pumped up 3 will expand on the sport-tuned range which currently consists of the featherweight Mazdaspeed MX-5 Miata and the

The pumped up Mazdaspeed 3 will expand on the sport-tuned range which currently consists of the featherweight Mazdaspeed MX-5 Miata and the soon-to-come turbocharged, all-wheel drive Mazdaspeed 6. (Photo: Mazda Canada)

soon-to-come turbocharged, all-wheel drive Mazdaspeed 6.

Unlike the Mazdaspeed Protegé, the company's initial attempt to gain ground in the sport compact marketplace, the forthcoming Mazdaspeed 3 will be a serious street machine with true performance credibility.

The heart of the hot 3 will be the same turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four featured in the Mazdaspeed 6, but detuned from 260 to 220 horsepower to maintain distance between the two models. The powerplant is based on the normally-aspirated 2.3-liter unit with variable valve timing, found in the top-of-the-line Mazda3 and entry-level Mazda6.