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2010 Mazda 3 MPS: Official Powertrain, Chassis and Safety Details

Posted on 03. Mar, 2009 by DeuxEx3 in Mazda3 Guide, Mazdaspeed3 Guide, What's Hot

The following press release was provided by Mazda Corp. with extensive new details about the 2010 Mazda 3 MPS powertrain, chassis and safety.

Powertrain

• Acclaimed MZR 2.3L DISI (DISI = direct-injection spark ignition) Turbo petrol producing high power of 191 kW/260 PS at
5,500 rpm, and high torque of 380 Nm at 3,000 rpm
• In-cylinder cooling effect from direct injection realizes ca. 10 percent more torque
compared to conventional-intake turbo engines
• Top speed of 250 km/h and acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds
• Reduced fuel consumption of 0.5 litres per 100 km versus outgoing model
• The world’s first single-nanotechnology catalytic converter helps to reduce the amount of
precious metals needed
• Advanced boost pressure control suppresses sudden torque peaks for linear torque
development
• Left and right drive shafts optimized to minimize torque steer
• Torque-sensing super limited-slip differential (LSD) standard
• Specially-designed, 6-speed manual transmission with wider gear ratio than before
• Triple-cone synchronizers for first, second and third gears and a double-cone
synchronizer for fourth gear for optimised gearshift operation
• Low-viscosity transmission fluid reduces shift effort when the engine is cold

Chassis & Safety

• Special reinforcements inside the front cowl member gussets and a large tunnel member
for increased body stiffness
• Modified coil spring rates for MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear
suspension
• Larger diameter stabilizers with longer mount spans achieve greater roll linearity
• Special dampers with increased damping strength contribute to higher roll stiffness
• Now three highly rigid steering gear mount bushings instead of two used on the previous
model for improved response to steering wheel action
• New wider Dunlop 18-inch tyres with improved grip, more rigid sidewalls and damping
strength for more direct steering feel and a stronger one-with-the-car feel
• Electro-hydraulic power assisted steering (EHPAS)
• Large diameter 320 mm ventilated front disc brakes and 280 mm rear solid discs, 8+9
inch tandem brake booster and 1-inch large diameter master cylinder for powerful and
stable braking
• Newly-introduced electronic brake assist added to four-wheel ABS and DSC as standard
equipment

Powertrain – Exhilarating Driving and

Euro Stage V Compliance

The power and easy-to-control torque characteristics of the new Mazda3 MPS turbo
petrol engine are combined with an optimised gear ratio that ensures smooth shift
operation for sporty driving. This is matched to a stiffer body, a suspension system
with greater damping strength, Mazda’s electro-hydraulic power assisted steering
(EHPAS), as well as specially tuned brakes. Together, they deliver a high-performance
package with precise, controllable handling, and powerful braking that is fun to drive
on a daily basis.

Engine – high-performance DISI technology

The all-new Mazda3 MPS is powered by Mazda’s MZR 2.3L DISI Turbo, a high-power inline
4-cylinder petrol engine. This acclaimed engine has been further refined and now delivers a
maximum output of 191 kW/260 PS at 5,500 rpm and the same generous maximum torque
of 380 Nm at 3,000 rpm than the current model. This represents one the world’s highest level
of performance in a front-engine front-wheel drive sports compact.

High-performance compact

Pairing direct-injection with a turbocharger allows the engine to achieve performance that is
on par with a larger displacement engine. Realising the right balance between lightweight
and high rigidity through the effective use of high-tensile steel sheeting – including 1,480
MPa ultra-high tensile steel – means the new MPS body shell easily supports the top speed
of 250 km/h and acceleration of 0-100 km/h in just 6.1 seconds.

Reduced fuel consumption and Euro Stage V

Yet, the new Mazda3 MPS also delivers surprisingly good environmental performance and
fuel efficiency for a car with this kind of power. Optimised aerodynamics helps reduce fuel
consumption from 9.7L/100 km on the previous model to 9.2L/100 km on the all-new Mazda3
MPS. Also newly introduced is the world’s first single-nanotechnology, fast-reacting catalytic
converter under the floor, which delivers cleaner emissions and Euro Stage V compliance.

High torque from direct-injection

The latent heat of vaporization generated by the MZR 2.3L Turbo when atomized fuel is
injected directly into a cylinder at pressures of up to 11.5 MPa reduces the temperature in the
combustion chamber (in-cylinder cooling effect) and improves air-fuel mixture charging
efficiency. When compared to turbo engines injecting fuel via regular intake ports, this
approach increases torque of the new Mazda3 MPS by up to about 10 percent at around
3,000 rpm. This realizes a smooth flat torque profile with plenty of power that is easy to
control using a single-scroll turbo charger. The intercooler is the same size as on the
previous model, but the new air intake mounted on the hood delivers a supply of cool air that
better ensures stable cooling performance.

Advanced torque management

The stiffness of the left and right drive shafts is optimized to minimize torque steer. Engine
optimizations help to make this powerful, high-torque front-wheel drive vehicle easier to
handle when enjoying a sporty drive. These measures include intake volume and boost
pressure control that suppresses sudden torque peaks for smoother, more linear torque
characteristics and steering angle sensors (all gears).

6-speed manual transmission

The transmission of the new Mazda3 MPS uses a compact, three-shaft design that keeps the
overall length the same as a 5-speed manual transmission. It uses a wide gear ratio setting
that can fully exploit the wide torque band of the DISI Turbo engine, with a sixth gear that
contributes to a quieter ride and improved fuel economy when driving at high speed. Each
gear is set to a higher speed total gear ratio than on the previous model. Of particular note is
the natural feel of shifting between first and second gear as the car picks up speed, as well
as the smooth feel of successive shifts while accelerating.
Triple-cone synchronizers for first, second and third gears and a double-cone synchronizer
for fourth gear optimize the amount of strength required to make shifts and establish the right
balance between a short, responsive stroke and pleasing feel to gearshift operation. In
addition, the transmission uses low-viscosity fluid, which greatly reduces the effort required
for shifting when the engine is cold.

High body rigidity and specially tuned suspension

Based on the highly rigid body of the Mazda3 5-door hatchback, the all-new MPS version
adds reinforcements inside the front cowl member gussets to strengthen the joints between
the rear suspension towers and rear floorboard, and employs a large tunnel member. These
and other local reinforcements effectively increase body rigidity and greatly improve the new
model’s dynamic robustness.

Suspension system

The coil spring rates for both the MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear
suspension are modified exclusively for the MPS. Special tuning to support the high power of
the MPS and provide satisfying driving performance also includes the introduction of larger
diameter stabilizers than on the new Mazda3 base model, and an increased span for the
stabilizer mounts to achieve greater roll linearity. Special dampers for the MPS increase
damping strength and combine with the coil springs and stabilizers to achieve higher roll
stiffness than on the base model.

Newly-developed tyres

The Dunlop 225/40R18 tyres for the MPS are wider than on the previous model. By
improving the grip of the tyres, the rigidity of their sidewalls and damping strength – along
with the systems that bear the input from the tires, including body rigidity, suspension rigidity,
and steering support rigidity – the new Mazda3 MPS delivers response with a more direct
feel, and a stronger sense of oneness between the driver and car. The result is a sporty drive
that is more precise than on the previous model, even at high speeds. It delivers better
response, greater stability and a flatter ride with fewer undulations, even when entering sharp
curves or traversing wavy road surfaces. To ensure this, extensive high-speed test drives
were conducted at Germany’s Nu?rburgring.

Steering updates and EHPAS

The new Mazda3 MPS now employs three highly rigid steering gear mount bushings instead
of the two used on the previous model. The system also features electro-hydraulic power
assisted steering (EHPAS), which adjusts control in accordance with vehicle speed and
steering angle to realize precise, solid response for an outstanding feel to steering wheel
operation. Control is set for more accurate response to vehicle speed, providing a lighter

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