Mazda performance models will mature

When Mazda does eventually roll out its next generation of performance models expect them to be more mature than the MPS family seen in the past.

That’s the message from one of Mazda’s most senior global executives, Masahiro Moro, who declared the turbocharged MPS produced alongside the first two Mazda3 generations a “childish execution”.

“As a brand we are trying to elevate again a little bit more, because execution of Mazda MPS or Mazdaspeed 3 or whatever you call it was a little bit – I am not afraid to say it – childish.”

While that bracing assessment may not please fans of the Mazda3 MPS, it was – especially in its first generation – a renowned torque steerer as it tried to channel 190kW through its front wheels. Often, it must be said, with limited success.

A third-generation Mazda3 MPS concept was being developed to debut at the 2015 Frankfurt motor show, but Mazda – one of the smallest independent mass car manufacturers globally – canned that and instead showed the Koeru concept to preview the all-new China-only CX-4 coupe-crossover.

The born-again Mazda3 and Mazda6 MPS models were expected to be powered by the upcoming MkII CX-9's new turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, potentially matched to all-wheel drive.

However, MPS development has now been put on the backburner as Mazda focuses its resources instead on its second-generation SKYACTIV II range of vehicles.

That begins rolling out as soon as 2017 with a new more economical range of engines and potentially the fourth generation Mazda3.

Moro, who was global marketing and sales chief for Mazda before taking over the top job at Mazda North America Operations on January 1, said the company’s focus had to be on SKYACTIV II ahead of MPS.

“Our research and development department is 100 per cent focussed on delivering SKYACTIV generation two and if we don’t have this we don’t have any other derivatives,” Moro said.

“So let us focus on delivering SKYACTIV generation two, then we are building on that to come up with (performance models).

“So everyone waiting for that type of vehicle (MPS) and to be honest we are very happy our customers expect that of Mazda. We are always not making a big loud noise, but we always keep that in mind and sometimes bring it out.”

Moro said Mazda didn’t “have a particular timeline yet” for the reintroduction of an MPS-style performance line-up.

“MPS or performance model or a sort of iconic model of the future will be a little bit later at this stage,” he said.

The reference to “iconic model” is a clear pointer to the return of a production Mazda rotary sports car, something previewed by the 2020 RX-VISION coupe concept at the 2015 Tokyo show but not expected to be on sale until 2020.

Moro made it clear the next generation of Mazda MPS or performance models would be different to what came before, reflecting their more sophisticated base technology and the company’s desire to move upmarket.

“Mazda brand has become more mature, more upscale, more sophisticated and we have a new transition of the brand to relate that direction.

“So if we were to introduce some kind of performance model, that may be different to what we have done in the past.”

Nevertheless, Moro said that the MPS models – which included a first-generation all-wheel drive Mazda6 MPS as well as the two generations of the 3, served their purpose.

“I think in the past from 2000 we launch new-generation models and we focus on the zoom-zoom as the global message.

“And with zoom-zoom we have to prove how Mazda have a zoom-zoom spirit in our models. So we introduce a couple of models and there is a turbocharged engine to provide a better much stronger performance model.”