Review: 2009 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 Grand Touring
With the redesigned Mazda Mazdaspeed3 just around the corner, we realize the current ‘speed3 is a lame duck. That won’t stop us from ruffling a few feathers to see if this fiery five-door is still a good buy or a bird with two broken wings waiting for a doubled-barreled end to its misery.
What is it?
The MS3, as enthusiasts call it, is Mazda’s standard five-door hatchback – with a heart transplant. Instead of a baboon, it’s got the ticker of a bobcat on the prowl. An all-aluminum, 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engine with force-feeding via a turbo will churn out 263 horsepower and 280 lb-ft. of torque to the front wheels. A tighter suspension with beefier stabilizer bars and upgraded brakes make sure this bobcat isn’t a rabid zoo animal on the loose.
What’s it up against?
With the sport-compact segment crowded as ever, the Mazda has a lot of competition to eye. The Volkswagen GTI and Subaru Impreza WRX are certainly staring down the 3. The Honda Civic Si, Dodge Caliber SRT4, Chevy Cobalt SS and Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart are glaring rivals, as well.
Any breakthroughs?
With 260 horses and 280 torques going to the front wheels, picking out the tree you’re going to torque steer into would often be the call of the day. Not so in the Mazdaspeed3. A very clever engine control computer monitors the position of the steering wheel in relation to the throttle. Floor it with the wheels pointed straight and you’re full steam ahead. If the steering wheel is turned, the computer will take the veracity down a few notches to minimize the side-to-side action.
So while the torque steer is still there to a degree, it’s manageable and not as dooming as one might think.
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