Mazda has company car user-choosers in its sights with the February showroom arrival of the super-hatch sector-busting Mazda3 MPS. Meanwhile, fleet operators will find that the Mazda is the cheapest five-door super-hatch on the market and residual values make it competitive with more established rivals.
The turbocharged 2.3 litre 260ps model will be the best performing super-hatch on sale in the UK. With a top speed of 155 mph and the ability to complete the 0-62 mph sprint in 6.1 seconds, the five-door model outguns all its rivals and is therefore set to add to Mazda’s distinction as Britain’s Favourite Sports Car Brand.
Buoyed by fleet demand for the Mazda6 MPS, which has the same engine, Mazda RX-8 four-seater sports coupé and iconic Mazda MX-5 roadster, Mazda fleet and remarketing director James Hopkins said: “The Mazda3 MPS is an important model as it reinforces our credentials as Britain’s Favourite Sports Car Brand as well as providing a ‘halo effect’ for the Mazda3 range and our entire vehicle portfolio.
“With fleet choice lists widening and an increasing number of fleet operators and company car drivers recognising the individuality, affordability, reliability and practicality of Mazda vehicles the launch of our first super-hatch will further boost our corporate sector sales.”
The Mazda3 MPS costs £18,995 on-the-road or £19,495 with a Sports Aero kit, which consists of a larger rear spoiler, two-spoke sports mirrors and an Eibach lowering suspension kit (the front is lowered by approximately 20-25 mm and the rear by about
10 mm).
Used car value experts at Glass’s Guide and CAP predict similar three-year/60,000 mile residual values for both models with ‘cash lost’ over the period from new lower than that for the established and more expensive Renault Megane 2.0 T Renaultsport 225 five-door and close to other rivals such as the £20,600 on-the-road Volkswagen Golf GTi five‑door and Vauxhall Astra VXR three-door.
Glass’s Guide forecasts that the Mazda3 MPS will depreciate by £11,622 over the period and the Sports Aero kit derivative by £11,947. That compares with, for example, depreciation on the Renault being £12,992, the Astra, which is only available as a three‑door, £11,532 and the Golf £11,472
The Guide predicts that the Mazda3 MPS – with or without Sports Aero kit – will retain 38 per cent of its value after three-years/60,000 and forecasting editor Jason King said: “Subtle styling belies the enormous power output and handling abilities of the car. A very high standard specification gives the discerning super-hatch buyer a real alternative to the established players in the sector.”
CAP Monitor has forecast residual value retention at 37 per cent for both models. Mazda expects 70 per cent of sales to be with the Sports Aero kit option and Martin Ward, manufacturer relationships manager at CAP, said: “I have driven the Mazda3 MPS extensively on all road types in Germany. On the autobahns it is spectacular at maximum speed. There is no doubt that the Mazda3 MPS is the most powerful super‑hatch in the marketplace.
“The standard model is a ‘wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing’ but user-choosers, who will be attracted to the Mazda3 MPS, should go for the Sports Aero kit option. This not only increases the differential from the standard Mazda3 but is, I believe, essential when it comes to resale because used car buyers will want the ‘bling’.”
Specification on the Mazda3 MPS includes: ABS with Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD); Emergency Brake Assist (EBA); Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control System (TCS); Limited Slip front Differential (LSD); front, side and curtain airbags; 18-inch alloy wheels, sports bucket seats with leather trim, and BOSE® Premium audio system with 6-CD autochanger and seven speakers.
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