Unfortunately, we won’t see a new Mazdaspeed3 anytime soon.
Mazda has made it clear, point blank, that a new Mazdaspeed3 hot hatch won’t hit the roads anytime soon. That’s sad news for enthusiasts, but we’re an idealistic bunch. We can always dream, can’t we? X-Tomi Design went one further, and imagined what a new Mazdaspeed3 would look like. We haven’t seen a Mazdaspeed3 — also known as the Mazda3 MPS — since 2013, so let’s take a moment to gaze upon what could have been.
From the standard car, X-Tome Design made some subtle, and not-so-subtle, changes to the car’s exterior. From the blacked out trim, we move to the massive wheels, side skirts and black roof. The front bumper is also a more aggressive design, with some actual air dams built in. Subtle tweaks like black mirror caps and a tasteful rear spoiler cap off the look.
Then there’s the matter of performance. While the rendering makes it look fast, there’s no way we’ll see anything like the turbocharged 2.3-liter DISI engine from the old car in the 2019 model. The closest we have right now is Mazda’s SkyActiv-G 2.5T engine, used in the Mazda6. It manages 250 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. That would put it close to the old mill on output, but there’s no word it will make its way to the Mazda3.
Mazda is adding its i-Activ all-wheel drive system to the Mazda3. However, coupling that to the 2.0-liter SkyActiv-X engine does not a Mazdaspeed make, sadly. We don’t know exact power figures on the SkyActiv-X engine for the U.S. yet, but it is a naturally-aspirated unit. As such, it won’t make that sort of power.
Don’t get me wrong, the 2019 Mazda3 is still shaping up to look like a sharp new car. Mazdas have always handled well, and their cars sport top-notch interior design. But as far as having our hot hatch back, it’s just not going to happen.
Huge thanks to X-Tomi Design for showing off this rendering! If we can’t have a Mazdaspeed3, at least we can pretend.