Sport Cars: mazda 3

Sunday, July 31, 2011

mazda 3

Mazda has turned to its motorsports arm for its official 2009 SEMA Show factory efforts, creating a special edition Mazdaspeed3 and a 2.5L Mazda3, both of which take cues from the Mazda3 World Challenge racecar. Both 3s wear Crystal White Pearl, grey graphics, and details painted in black. Mazda says the design is a rework of the livery on the infamous 787B that took Le Mans in 1991.
Tri-Point Engineering, which races its own pair of Mazdas in the World Challenge series, upgraded the powertrain on the 2.5L Mazda3. With a Garrett GT2871R turbocharger pumping 10 psi, Mazda claims the mill sends 250-hp to the front wheels, and that the tune isn't finished yet. The Mazdaspeed3 gets only an AEM intake, but it's good for a claimed 20-hp boost.
2010 Mazdaspeed3 SEMA Side View
The Speed3 lends its front brakes to the 2.5L 3. In return, it gets four-piston Stoptech calipers and floating two-piece rotors. Suspension upgrades consist of KW Suspension coilovers with modified top mounts on the front struts to increase camber.
The 2.5L 3, with the Speed3's brakes up front and Mazda5 brakes out back, gets a Tri-Point rear stabilizer bar and adjustable KW coilovers. Both cars sit on 19-in. wheels with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A rubber from the RX-8 R3.