Performance Review: Mazda 3 MPS 2.3T - [2007]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mazda 3 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mazda 3 MPS 2.3T is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2007. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2007 Caparo T1 3.5l V8.This particular Mazda 3 has a 2261cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The 3 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 3's Front Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1483 kgs (3269 lbs) this makes the Mazda 3 MPS 2.3T in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 or the give or take 50kg.

The Mazda 3 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp)

In terms of power the 2261cc 16V St4 engine produces 256 bhp (190 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp) or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (266 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 280 lb-ft (379.6 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mazda 3 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1992 Subaru Impreza WRX - Classic JDM (197.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mazda 3.

The Mazda 3 has a Power to weight ratio of 172.6 bhp per ton and 188.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2007 3 competing with the 1992 Subaru Impreza WRX - Classic JDM (197.5 bhp per ton) or the 1971 Maserati Bora 4.7 V8 (197.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Mazda 3 generating around 188.8 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2004 Chrysler 300 6.1 SRT-8 (213.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 1986 Ferrari 208 Turbo 2.0L V8 (213.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.1 secs, this made the Mazda 3 MPS 2.3T as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic Wagon (5.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (5.90 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.90 secs) the or the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (5.90 secs). This Mazda 3 MPS 2.3T is also faster than the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (6.00 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT 3.6 V6 AWD (6.00 secs) the 2017 Toyota Century 5.0 V8 (6.00 secs) the and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 265 DSG (6.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 3 and the 2004 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8

When talking about the performance of the Mazda 3 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.4 secs @ 95.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2004 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8 (14.35 secs), the 1960 Chevrolet Impala 348 Hardtop (14.37 secs), and the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (14.37 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2007 version of the Mazda 3 MPS 2.3T has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2007 3 equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2007 Mazda 3 MPS 2.3T then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2007 3 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mazda

Car Comparison