DCAWD.com

Posted: **Thu Oct 11, 2007 8:43 am**

Sydney 2007: Aussie-only 281 HP Mazda3 MPS Extreme

Autoblog wrote:You know how the Mazdaspeed3 is a pretty spiffy package, what with its 263 horses and 280 lb-ft of torque? The Australians have a better one. I know, I know -- shocking. Mazda Australia revealed the Mazda3 MPS Extreme at the Sydney Motor Show today, and it's a pretty compelling package. PCM reprogramming results in boosted numbers of 281 horsepower and 313 lb-ft of torque. The fun doesn't end there either, as the Extreme gets a 2-inch exhaust and a suspension tuned by Murray Coote, who does the same for Australian race and rally cars. 19" BBS wheels with red MPS center caps fill out the fender cutouts, and the car itself is finished in red paint with black stripes and a black roof. It looks mean both in pictures and on paper, and it's just for our friends Down Under.

it may be an Australian only product but this is still good news for Mazdaspeed3 (and possibly Mazdaspeed Miata) owners: there IS power to be gained from a reflash.

Posted: **Thu Oct 11, 2007 10:30 am**

I know (from Colin) that it's using the 2.3l 4, but I still would be VERY careful about modding that car given Mazda's previous record.

Posted: **Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:26 pm**

Sabre wrote:I know (from Colin) that it's using the 2.3l 4, but I still would be VERY careful about modding that car given Mazda's previous record.

not sure what you mean. there are a lot of modded Miata's out there with no issues. you just have to know the limitations of the platform you're working with.

Posted: **Thu Oct 11, 2007 1:05 pm**

a crap ton of power and fwd

:/

the regular ms3 already has a torque limiter in place for several gears. i can imagine this thing has its balls cut as well.

Posted: **Thu Oct 11, 2007 1:14 pm**

Mr Kleen wrote:
Sabre wrote:I know (from Colin) that it's using the 2.3l 4, but I still would be VERY careful about modding that car given Mazda's previous record.
not sure what you mean. there are a lot of modded Miata's out there with no issues. you just have to know the limitations of the platform you're working with.

I just remember all of the MSP's blowing up, even in stock form. I know the Miata (with the FM kits and such) are pretty solid though.

Posted: **Thu Oct 11, 2007 2:41 pm**

MSP engine - Not built for boost (Turbo added to N/A Engine).
MS3 engine - Built for boost.

Posted: **Thu Oct 11, 2007 2:49 pm**

moxnix wrote:MSP engine - Not built for boost (Turbo added to N/A Engine).
MS3 engine - Built for boost.

And another pearl of truth from our resident Mazda guru

Posted: **Thu Oct 11, 2007 3:00 pm**

Thanks for the clarification