Mazda CX-3 MPS on wish list

The man in charge of developing the Mazda CX-3, the second-best selling small SUV in Australia, is keen as mustard to develop a high-performance version of the sleek little SUV.

Project chief, Minoru Takata, was in Australia for the launch of the facelifted Mazda CX-3 compact SUV last week and says a go-fast ‘halo’ version of the SUV would help sell more cars.

“Yeah I think it’s very important,” he told motoring.com.au.

“At the moment we don’t have any plans to introduce that kind of high performance vehicle in the CX-3 but if there is a demand we should definitely consider that. That’s my opinion,” stated Takata-san.

Don’t expect the lusty 2.5-litre turbo-petrol engine from the Mazda6 and Mazda CX-9 to find its way into a speedy version CX-3 – even if the 170kW and 420Nm rocket would be fun, and would certainly give the Nissan JUKE NISMO and mooted Hyundai Kona N compact crossovers headaches.

“If I’m allowed to develop that sort of vehicle I’m not going to put a turbo engine. But I would look for a bigger displacement,” said Takata.

That means the Mazda MX-5’s more potent 2.0-litre petrol engine (118kW/200Nm) is not at the top of the list, but the naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre engine (140kW/252Nm) from the Mazda6 may just work – and would give the 1300kg crossover plenty of zip.

If you want an idea of what a beefed-up Mazda CX-3 could look like, check out the images – they are from the 2014 Mazda Hazumi concept which previewed the Mazda2 and looks similar to the CX-3. The sports seats, big wheels, roof spoiler and double pea-shooter exhaust would do a lot to elevate the car’s image.

Quizzed over what visual and aerodynamic upgrades a hypothetical high-performance Mazda CX-3 would benefit from (roof spoiler, side skirts, lower ride height, or a bonnet scoop like the old Mazda3 MPS), the Mazda project leader said it wasn’t his call.

“Currently the designer of the CX-3, he says that [CX-3] car design is perfect. They wouldn’t think they want to add too much extra aero parts, because it would destroy the theme of the design. They are very strong minded in that,” laughed Takata.

The Mazda executive was in Australia to preside over the launch of the new Mazda CX-3 which has been given a nip and tuck and several new features to keep it relevant in the cut-throat category.

Sales of the small SUVs are up by a whopping 27 per cent as buyers move away from small cars, and this leaves the door open for a hero model. The problem that Mazda faces is that it doesn’t have the development budgets of the likes of Nissan or Hyundai, and is a relative minnow on the global stage with around 1.6 million sales per annum.

If a hi-po Mazda CX-3 was developed, it wouldn’t necessarily resurrect the MPS or MazdaSpeed nameplates that still carry plenty of cachet today after the Mazda6 MPS and Mazda3 MPS models scorched themselves into the memories of car enthusiasts over a decade ago.

“If there is a demand and we can build a business case, we would consider having MPS again, but at the moment there are no plans for MPS. Everyone is trying, but it’s challenging,” said Takata.

Mazda Australia’s managing director, Vinesh Bhindi, told motoring.com.au he still has an aspiration to see the MPS return but said there’s nothing on the horizon.

“Personally yes, there’s a burning desire [for MPS] and if you ask my team they’ll probably all say they agree. But there’s nothing available out of the factory [with MPS].

The Mazda Australia chief also said he would be interested to see a high-performance SUV or crossover and that it could work the local market but wouldn’t say more than that.

“The engines that are available in previous MPS vehicles, the numbers just aren’t there [today]. Whether we say passenger cars or SUVs they don’t currently add up,” he said.

Neither executive would be drawn on the potential of a high-performance engine using its upcoming SkyActiv X engine technology, which is expected to debut in the new-generation Mazda3 which will be revealed in November at the 2018 Los Angeles motor show.

Mazda Australia has confirmed it will launch a range-topping CX-3 Akari LE or limited edition model with all the fruit in the next few months, but that won’t get any more power or torque.

Do you think there’s the scope and demand for a hot Mazda CX-3 to rival the Nissan JUKE NISMO? Have your say in the comments below.