Car and Driver Predicts Mazdaspeed 3…Diesel?

By Todd DeMeza

Todd DeMeza

Contributing Writer BIO

Todd DeMeza has a long time interest in and passion for cars. During high school, he decided he wanted to use his enthusiasm to become an automotive... More

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Car and Driver Predicts Mazdaspeed 3…Diesel?
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Driven: 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 Sport

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The Mazdaspeed 3 has received major praise from the automotive press. For most, it is the fastest car on the market for the money, and gives plenty of practicality along with it. Mileage is decent, with 18 mpg city and 25 highway mpg highway recorded by the EPA. But Car and Driver is reporting that Mazda is seriously considering the next Mazdaspeed 3 will be diesel power.

The information comes from John Davis, Mazda USA’s vice president of product development, who did give the magazine plenty of reasons why the company is thinking about making their hot hatch into an “oil burner.”

First, diesel engines do not have the stigma that they once had, instead they recognized as decent engines that get good mileage compared to gasoline engines of the same displacement. Second, with modern technology, the current “Sky” diesel developed by Mazda produces 190 horsepower and loads of torque. Davis seems to mention that there is more power to be had from the engine that could easily match the current Mazdaspeed 3.

Still, the idea hasn’t completely won over the staffers at Car and Driver. The Mazdaspeed 3 is notorious for its torque steer, so much so that the engine has to be detuned for the first few gears so the wheel won’t get yanked from the drivers hands. Diesels, despite the power they produce, don’t come with the audible excitement that the current Mazdaspeed 3’s have.

[Source: Car and Driver]