Mazda says RWD means it won’t need MPS models

A revitalised performance division has been effectively ruled out once again by Mazda Australia despite the brand’s rich sporting heritage and passionate enthusiast base.

While it offers one of the purest drivers’ cars on sale in the MX-5, recent patents for a rotary-powered sports car and confirmation of new rear-drive architecture have rekindled rumours of more performance-focussed products – yet Mazda Australia says that there’s no case for the return of its MPS (Mazda Performance Series) arm.

“I think our performance equation will jump with CX-60; the plug-in hybrid’s got 234kW and is a rapid machine,” said Alastair Doak, Mazda Australia’s marketing manager.

4

Rapid the CX-60 may prove to be, but the passionate enthusiast base seeking engagement isn’t being catered for in the same way that Toyota’s Gazoo Racing or Hyundai’s N division are able to. There’s even a N model Hyundai Kona SUV, too, and (admittedly largely cosmetic) Toyota GR LandCruiser.

Given the freefalling passenger car market and Australia’s appetite for performance models and SUVs, a performance-oriented version of the CX-5 seems a pragmatic jumping-off point – in theory.

“It’d be nice, but the volume realistically would be pretty small for it,” said Doak. “We have a GT spec and SP GTs – we think our cars ride and handle pretty well anyway, and I think we back ourselves in with the look of those kind of vehicles.

4

“If we do step up with even more performance than we’re offering currently, then I think we’ll be doing okay, and we’ll have RWD architecture again as well, which will set us apart.”

The first Mazda MPS model – branded ‘Mazdaspeed’ in other markets – was the 2006 MPS 3, which was powered by a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder that struggled to send 190kW through its front wheels. It was followed by the all-wheel-drive only Mazda 6 MPS, the last vehicle to wear the MPS badging going off sale in 2007.

4

MPS traded on a heritage that includes Mazda as the first Japanese brand to win the Le Mans 24 Hours, its rotary-powered 787B taking out the 1991 race almost two decades before Toyota’s first win.

Mazda Australia’s own performance heritage is significant, with its zenith the 1995 Mazda RX-7 SP homologation special, built specifically to defeat factory-backed Porsche and BMW specials – which it did so handsomely. It even spawned an RX-7 Bathurst R edition sold in Japan.

Where is that passion that delivered the decades of racing success, rotary goodness and accompanying MPS road-going models?

“I think the spirit is still there,” Doak said. “I think we’ll be alright.”