Перейти к содержанию

Mazda 3 MPS


Рекомендуемые сообщения

  • Ответов 1 тыс
  • Создана
  • Последний ответ

Тест топ гира

 

Mazda3 MPS

It's only a theory, but I'm sticking to it: there are two distinct ways for car companies to go these days when it comes to building hot hatches - barmy or balmy. Since Volkswagen relaunched its Golf GTI in 2005, the theory has been nicely illustrated.

 

On the one hand, you've got the sensible GTI with 'only' 198bhp, lots of class and lots of traction; on the other, there's the ballistic Vauxhall Astra VXR with 237bhp, a lot less class and just as little traction.

 

So, Mazda comes along and launches the 3 MPS (Mazda Performance Series) with 256bhp. That'll be more of the VXR barmy school of thought, then - great in a straight line on a dry road, but show it a section of tarmac with any adverse camber or moisture and the front tyres will grip like they've just been dipped in a vat of cooking oil.

 

I'm talking about torque steer here, and it's the curse of the modern hot hatch. There's no getting away from the physical limits of shoving power through the front wheels. Accelerate hard and the steering wheel will buck and kick in your hands - it feels like the car is desperately trying to steer itself.

 

The first Ford Focus RS was horribly afflicted with this malais and, of the modern bunch, the bonkers Vauxhall Astra VXR has got it worse than most.

 

So, you'd expect the Mazda to suffer as well. After all, it's got 20bhp more than the Vauxhall. But Mazda hasn't simply bunged a socking great engine under the bonnet and left the chassis alone; instead it's stiffened up the front end nicely and there's some clever electronic trickery here, too.

 

This is more like it. Plant your right foot in the MPS and there's a little bit of tug through the steering, but the lack of torque steer is a minor miracle.

 

OK, it helped that the launch was held on German roads that were the polar opposite of British tarmac - that is, well made and smooth - but even so, I reckon the MPS is a much saner beast than the VXR. And much more relaxing and easy to drive fast as well.

 

So, how has it been achieved? Essentially, Mazda has tamed the turbo boost in first and second, and modified the throttle valve position so that the torque is fed in smoothly. The result is that the car lightens a leaden right foot.

 

In addition, the standard-fit ESP is constantly monitoring your front wheels - if it detects that one is slipping more than the other it cuts in to smooth things out and hopefully stop any 'offs'.

 

During my drive, I tried pretty hard to get the blinking traction light in the dash to illuminate, but failed, so it would seem Mazda has installed a fairly high threshold for it.

 

The beauty of all this is that you get the incredible pace that 256bhp and 280lb ft generate, but in a manageable package.

 

Yes, it's true that the 2.3-litre unit doesn't sound as throaty as the Focus ST, and it doesn't have the low-down instant torque of the Golf GTI, but this turbocharged unit is still smooth and exciting. The engine needs to be singing above about 2,500rpm before it gets really responsive, but from there on up it pulls strongly. For the moment, Mazda doesn't have any plans to put the 2.3-litre unit from this car into the MX-5 because of engineering difficulties, but hopefully the engineering team will manage to find a fix because it would make the little roadster so much fun.

 

It has already been dropped into the Mazda6 MPS and a detuned version will apparently be going in the new CX-7 SUV when it arrives here.

 

If you're lucky enough to get to a derestricted German autobahn, the MPS will sit perfectly happily at 125mph for miles on end. There's a bit more wind noise obviously, but the MPS does a good imitation of a GT car.

 

And here's the rub. It's almost too sane. The Astra VXR takes the lunatic asylum routine a bit too far, but the GTI and ST manage to tread a fine line between being quick and sensible, yet also fun. The MPS is just quick and sensible. It's simply not involving enough for a hot hatch, and only feels like a bloody quick Mazda3.

 

The chief gripe is the steering. Mazda has all but eliminated torque steer, yet in the process has killed all the feel. Turn-in is still sharp and there's nothing wrong with the overall precision, but there's too little feedback through the helm.

 

Marry that to a chassis that doesn't talk to you, doesn't tell you about all the little nuances in the road surface, and you've got a slightly dull drive.

 

Which, to be fair, is in keeping with the looks of the 3. It's only available in a five-door format, which doesn't help it appear overtly sporty. It won't come in the four-door saloon shape.

 

There are exterior clues that this is the quickest 3, but they're more subtle than on some rivals. A deeper front spoiler and small rear wing help and the biggest difference is the contrasting black plastic on the rear bumper, along with a wide-boy exhaust. It gives the whole thing a mock-diffuser feel - very Renault Clio 197 but somehow not as attractive here.

 

The inside is pretty much identical to the ordinary Mazda3 - it's even still got the KITT-style flashing red LED's across the radio fascia. The five-door shape helps the practicality because you don't have to clamber over sills to get in the back, but the interior could do with being a bit more lively.

 

Aside from the sports seats and red stitching, the MPS is just a tad ordinary. On the plus side, those semi-bucket seats do at least hold you in place well and the low-set seating position is far better than it is in the Focus ST.

 

The biggest problem remains the driving experience, though, which is just too detached. Drive the aforementioned GTI or ST, and you feel like you're an integral part of the car.

 

Drive the MPS, and you could just as well be having an out-of-body experience. You can see that it's you driving, but the involvement just isn't there.

 

Piers Ward

Ссылка на комментарий
Поделиться на другие сайты

Barmentalнечитаемо ввиду безграмотности :lol: .моей безграмотности.Переводчиком лучше не пользоваться.Переводит поршиво.
Ссылка на комментарий
Поделиться на другие сайты

Почитал статью... че-то не понравилась она им... говорят - типа не настоящий горячий хэтч :roll:

Ссылка на комментарий
Поделиться на другие сайты

Почитал статью... че-то не понравилась она им... говорят - типа не настоящий горячий хэтч :roll:

TopGear овцам нравятся те кто им бабки платят и еще отдельной строкой ровер и ягуар в знак патриотизма.

Ссылка на комментарий
Поделиться на другие сайты

Почитал статью... че-то не понравилась она им... говорят - типа не настоящий горячий хэтч  :roll:

TopGear овцам нравятся те кто им бабки платят и еще отдельной строкой ровер и ягуар в знак патриотизма.

Да,да...Особенно когда новый Ягуар ХК сравнивали с БМВ 645 и Мерином SL...Сказали,что Ягуар херня по показателям скорости управляемости,что сделан на скорую руку и практически ничего в нем не изменилось...Но в итоге типа Яга оказался лучше,т.к. БМВ для них уродская а мерин вообще типа дерьмо оказался,когда пол передачи куесосили Ягуар сначала... :lol:
Ссылка на комментарий
Поделиться на другие сайты

Сегодня звонил дилеру, моя мпс получает птс и сейчас на их стоянке. Если все сложиться получу ее в субботу, если нет то во вторник...

 

В любом случае в субботу увижу ее живьем!!!

Ссылка на комментарий
Поделиться на другие сайты

Да, печально, наверное. У меня точно такая же заказана на апрель. Как раз зима кончится, 2007 год по ПТС. Ух, ожидания приятны.

Ссылка на комментарий
Поделиться на другие сайты

Отдам свою очередь на MPS, машина в Москвеhttp://www.m3club.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14736

А можно причину отказа ? Аватор говорит о том, что у вас суба, не ужили так и не смогли отказатся от скуби.. ? :).

Ссылка на комментарий
Поделиться на другие сайты

Barmental

а какже S4? есть тут пара Шкод заряженных...

 

зураб.а я кстати соскочил с 3МПС!

Буду ездить RSке!!

Ссылка на комментарий
Поделиться на другие сайты

Заархивировано

Эта тема находится в архиве и закрыта для дальнейших ответов.


×
×
  • Создать...