2016 Mazda3 MPS Could Feature AWD and 295HP

According to a recent report published in Japanese car magazine Holiday Auto, Mazda is working hard to release the new Mazda3's MPS (or Mazdaspeed) version within the next couple of years. The Japanese hot-hatch is expected to feature an all-wheel drive platform, producing 295 horsepower from its SKYACTIC-G turbo gasoline engine. This report lays previous rumors – claiming that the next Mazdaspeed3 would be powered by a diesel – to rest.

Battling rivals like the Honda Civic Type R, VW Golf GTI and Ford Focus ST, the SKYACTIV-G engine will offer high-performance output coupled with low emissions with the use of a turbocharger. According to the Japanese report, previous issues of mating the SKYACTIV engine with turbocharged power have already been smoothed out by Mazda. The engine will be coupled to an all-wheel drive setup via a six-speed manual transmission. The Japanese magazine also offered a rendering of how this model could look.