Popular 2010 Sports Car Previews: 2010 Mazdaspeed3

With 263 bhp and 280 lb.-ft. of torque, the Mazdaspeed3 has plenty of motor compared to its competitors. That must be what Mazda thinks, because the 2010 Mazdaspeed3 unveiled at the New York auto show has new styling and suspension tweaks, but a basically untouched engine compartment.

The car's new Nagare-inspired styling follows the same lines as the Mazda3 4-door and 5-door previously introduced. The Mazdaspeed3 distinguishes itself from its more economical siblings with a lower airdam and round foglights, flared front fenders and a Subaru-like hood scoop to feed air to the turbo's charge cooler.

The interior also follows the new Mazda3's design, with a new dashboard intended to give a roomier feel. Of course, it adds Mazdaspeed touches, such as red stitching on the steering wheel, seats, door trim, shifter boot and center armrest. Plus, for the first time the Mazdaspeed3's instrument cluster includes an LED turbo boost gauge.

The Mazdaspeed3's handling is said to be improved due to stiffer springs, higher damping rates, larger anti-roll bars with new mounting points, as well as a stiffer body shell with double the amount of high-strength and ultra-high strength steel. Giving the car better grip are wider Dunlop tires, size 225/40R-18 (versus 215/45R-18), mounted on new 18 x 7.5-in. alloy wheels with a style similar to those found on the RX-8 R3. Mazda engineers say they've improved steering feel and response by giving the steering rack a more rigid 3-point mounting (previously 2-point), while the power steering has been switched from hydraulic assist to electric.

Although the Mazdaspeed3's 2.3-liter direct-injected turbocharged 4-cylinder is mostly carryover (power figures are identical to the '09 model), Mazda says the improved airflow to the top-of-engine charge cooler via the new, direct hood scoop allows the engine to produce more consistent power, while also freeing up grille space to provide air for the engine's air intake. Because of this, Mazda says real world power and fuel economy have improved.

Mazda says revised gear ratios on the 6-speed manual transmission — 2nd through 5th gears all now slightly taller — make better use of the engine's plentiful torque. Low-viscosity transmission fluid is said to reduce shift effort when the engine is cold.

Despite the flashy new body and numerous small updates, the 2010 Mazdaspeed3 will remain a performance bargain when it goes on sale this summer. It will start at just $23,195, versus $22,740 for the 2009 model.