Mazda 3 MPS

For the moment, Mazda doesn't have any plans to put the 2.3-litre unit from this car into the MX-5 because of engineering difficulties, but hopefully the engineering team will manage to find a fix because it would make the little roadster so much fun.

It has already been dropped into the Mazda6 MPS and a detuned version will apparently be going in the new CX-7 SUV when it arrives here.

If you're lucky enough to get to a derestricted German autobahn, the MPS will sit perfectly happily at 210km/h for miles on end. There's a bit more wind noise obviously, but the MPS does a good imitation of a GT car.

And here's the rub. It's almost too sane. The Astra VXR takes the lunatic asylum routine a bit too far, but the GTI and ST manage to tread a fine line between being quick and sensible, yet also fun. The MPS is just quick and sensible. It's simply not involving enough for a hot hatch, and only feels like a bloody quick Mazda3.

The chief gripe is the steering. Mazda has all but eliminated torque steer, yet in the process has killed all the feel. Turn-in is still sharp and there's nothing wrong with the overall precision, but there's too little feedback through the helm.

Marry that to a chassis that doesn't talk to you, doesn't tell you about all the little nuances in the road surface, and you've got a slightly dull drive.

Which, to be fair, is in keeping with the looks of the 3. It's only available in a five-door format, which doesn't help it appear overtly sporty. It won't come in the four-door saloon shape.

There are exterior clues that this is the quickest 3, but they're more subtle than on some rivals. A deeper front spoiler and small rear wing help and the biggest difference is the contrasting black plastic on the rear bumper, along with a wide-boy exhaust. It gives the whole thing a mock-diffuser feel - very Renault Clio 197 but somehow not as attractive here.

The inside is pretty much identical to the ordinary Mazda3 - it's even still got the KITT-style flashing red LED's across the radio fascia. The five-door shape helps the practicality because you don't have to clamber over sills to get in the back, but the interior could do with being a bit more lively.

Aside from the sports seats and red stitching, the MPS is just a tad ordinary. On the plus side, those semi-bucket seats do at least hold you in place well and the low-set seating position is far better than it is in the Focus ST.

The biggest problem remains the driving experience, though, which is just too detached. Drive the aforementioned GTI or ST, and you feel like you're an integral part of the car.

Drive the MPS, and you could just as well be having an out-of-body experience. You can see that it's you driving, but the involvement just isn't there.

Piers Ward