Mazda’s new performance hatchback, the Mazda3 MPS, will be priced at £18,995 on-the-road, when it goes on sale in February.

The Mazda3 MPS will be marketed as a single, fully specified model in the UK. There will be 1,000 examples of the model available.

"The Mazda3 MPS is designed for a global market and annual production will be more than 10,000 units in 2007," said Mazda UK's marketing director Mark Cameron.

"In the UK, the sports hatchback market is both well established and more demanding in terms of styling. For this reason we have developed a sports styling pack, which includes a larger rear spoiler, two-spoke sports door mirrors and lowered suspension, to enhance the vehicle’s sporting prowess."

The sports pack costs an additional £500, including fitting, and Mazda expects 70% of all Mazda3 MPS buyers to opt for it.

  • Click on the next page to view the Mazda3 MPS standard equipment list #AM_ART_SPLIT# Standard equipment

    Petrol = 2.3-litre, 260ps, 380Nm torque, CO2 – 231g/km, 6-speed manual

    Safety & Security
    All-disc braking system with ABS (anti-lock braking system)
    Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD) with Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
    Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control System (TCS)
    Limited Slip front Differential (LSD)
    Driver & passenger front airbags
    Front side airbags
    Front and rear curtain airbags
    Front seatbelt pre-tensioners with load-limiters
    Seatbelt reminder (all seats)
    Whiplash-minimising front seats
    ISOFIX child seat anchorage
    Thatcham Category 1 alarm & immobiliser

    Exterior
    18-inch alloy wheels with 215/45 R18 low profile tyres
    Sports styling with unique grille, bonnet, bumpers, side skirts and rear spoiler
    Body-coloured door handles
    Electric/heated door mirrors
    Body-coloured mirror housings
    Tinted glass
    Xenon headlamps with automatic levelling
    Front fog lights
    Automatic lights and rain sensing auto wipers
    Chrome exhaust tailpipe

    Comfort & Convenience
    Remote central locking and dead locks
    Folding jack-knife key
    Electric front and rear windows, with one-touch auto down
    Global closing for all windows
    Climate control automatic air conditioning
    Power steering and cruise control

    Interior Features
    MPS-branded sports seats with black leather side bolsters and centre sections in black sports cloth
    60/40 split folding rear seat
    Centre armrest with storage and cup holders
    Leather steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake lever
    Height and reach adjustable steering wheel
    BOSE Premium audio system with 6-CD autochanger and seven speakers
    Steering wheel mounted audio controls
    Trip computer
    Stainless steel scuff plates