The 2010 Mazda Speed 3 has a huge task ahead of it as it has a formidable competion that even consists of the benchmark hot hatch, the Volkswagen Golf GTI. The 2009 Mazda Speed 3 was praised for its brilliant engine and handling. The Speed3 is the hotter sibling of the regular Mazda3 hatchback, which is available in both the 3-door and 5-door configurations. Priced just short of 25,000 dollars, the Speed3 promises sporty handling and performance for much lesser money.
The interior of the 2010 Speed3 has a different theme with black plastic livened up only by the red accents and stitching. Though the dashboard, clean and uncluttered, looks good at a glance, closer inspection will reveal the complete lack of fine detailing. The interior does not look as sporty as the other hot hatches in the market which have brushed aluminum or chrome inserts to liven up the interior. The turbo boost is indicated by an LED display. The 2010 Speed3 has a satellite navigation which works brilliantly, but is hard to use till one gets used to it because of its small screen size and unconventional positioning. The sat-nav controls are present only on the steering wheel.
The Speed3 differentiates itself easily from the regular Mazda3 with the huge functional scoop on the bonnet. The wheel arches, both front and rear, has a more distinctive flaring. The rear gets a huge spoiler even for the 5-door version. The other visual changes for the Speed3 are the dual exhausts and the stunning 18 inch wheels that now run on a wider set of tires. The Speed3 is definitely one of the best lookers among the hot hatches.
The 2010 Speed3 is powered by the same 2.3 litre turbocharged, inter-cooled, direct-injection engine as before. The engine produces a meaty 263 horsepower, enough to accelerate the car from rest to sixty mph in a matter of just 5.6 seconds. Though the figures of the new engine looks identical on paper to the previous model, the way in which the power is delivered by the new engine is much more linear. The functional air-scoops on the hood feed air into the inter cooler mounted above the engine to provide a smaller path to the intake manifold, and hence lesser resistance. The 2.3 litre four-cylinder engine, which is a peppy performer, is let down only by the loud and un-refined exhaust note.
The interior of the 2010 Speed3 has a different theme with black plastic livened up only by the red accents and stitching. Though the dashboard, clean and uncluttered, looks good at a glance, closer inspection will reveal the complete lack of fine detailing. The interior does not look as sporty as the other hot hatches in the market which have brushed aluminum or chrome inserts to liven up the interior. The turbo boost is indicated by an LED display. The 2010 Speed3 has a satellite navigation which works brilliantly, but is hard to use till one gets used to it because of its small screen size and unconventional positioning. The sat-nav controls are present only on the steering wheel.
The Mazda3 uses a different type of front differential that provide phenomenal grip while cornering. That combined with the stiff suspension setup makes the Speed3 a truly exceptional handler. The car is brilliant to be driven fast around corners. However, the ride suffers and it feels uncomfortable on less than perfect surfaces. The 2010 Mazda3 still retains the only serious flaw with the driver train, the catastrophic torque steer that makes one think the front wheels have a mind of its own.
The 2010 Mazda Speed3 has improved in nearly all aspects compared to the 2009 model. It is priced competitively, well below 25,000 dollars and looks quite outstanding. However, the torque steer and stiff ride are yet to be addressed properly. The Speed3 appeals more to the younger generation, but the Volkswagen GTI continues to rule the roost.
Source: www.nitrobahn.com
