First look: Turbocharged Mazda3 MPS revealed

AT LAST, Mazda has taken the wraps off its Mazda3 MPS turbo, which will make its world debut at the Geneva show at the end of this month ahead of an Aussie launch later in the year.

To be priced from around $40,000, the smallest MPS uses the same 2.3-litre DISI turbo used in the AWD 190kW/380Nm Mazda6 MPS – but because of its single exhaust and front-drive configuration, the hottest Three is expected to have a circa-180kW power limit.

All the same, Mazda says it will still be "one of the most powerful sports compacts with front-wheel-drive (FWD) on the road today".

Visually, the hatch gains a reprofiled bonnet to allow for the turbo intercooler, a deeper front spoiler and black inserts in the headlight assembly, grille and rear bumper.

The car will be called Mazdaspeed Axela in Japan, Mazdaspeed3 in North America and, in other key regions including Europe, Australia and New Zealand, Mazda3 MPS.