doesnt ford only own 30% of mazda?
i read that the csrt4's engine was helped built by mitsubishi and hyundai.

 

yup, all three had a part in developing it as a "world engine".

 

def mitsu

 

Ford owns a controlling interest in Mazda, but they only own 30% of them.

 

but isnt this ms3 basically the focus's brother?

 

it has the focus frame, but the frame they have was only available on the euro focus. the US focus used the older focus frame til 09, when they recieved the euro frame.

 

i wouldnt be surprised. mazda knows how to build some GREAT handling cars.

 

Since when did twistie racing become so important? I thought people liked to brag about HP and 1/4mi times...

 

Well some people on this site are all about 1/4 () ...For me its all about the twisties

 

well, thats cool too. Im just saying almost all everyone talks about is HP/TQ, 1/4mi times, and roll racing. Now all the sudden because mazda is coming out with a car that may out handle the SS/TC its all about the twisties....

 

since someone was talking about the ring....

 

I believe the Cobalt SS was designed for the twisties all along. The SS/SC was tuned on the ring back in 2004...The way I see it is that the competition is just finally starting to come around.

As for 1/4mile talk, I think a majority of divers of all makes are just more into 1/4mile racing.

 

Ford still owns a controlling interest in Mazda but rumors on the blog sites have stated they might be looking to sell some or all of it to raise operating capital. Even if that happened both manufacturers would likely continue to share platforms and other components for the foreseeable future to maintain economies of scale benefits.

Hyundai did the majority of the work on the GEMA "World Engine" family used in the Caliber and also Mitsu and Hyundai products. The heads were originally going to be completely different but that turned out to be less so and they share/interchange quite a bit of parts in those assemblies. An engineer I know used to manage the plant in Dundee (MI) when it was first opened.

The Mazda 3 is based on the European Focus C1 platform that underpins the Volvo C30/40 and V50 and quite a few other Ford of Europe models (a few which will be coming here to the states in the next couple years). The updated '08+ Focus for the US market is still based on a mildly updated version of the original C170 platform. The next gen Focus that will be nearly identical when sold on both sides of the ocean when it comes to market ('09 in Europe and around '10 here) but is still on a heavily modified but very similar version to the current Euro C1 platform. The C1 platform has been stretched and used as the basis of a lot of other Ford Group cars and even underpins the new giant Volvo V80 sedan (the EUCD platform).

A lot of people drag race and a lot of people auto-x but that doesn't mean a car can't do both very well. Witness what's happening with the new SS Turbo. There's no reason that the next MS3 can't be quite a bit quicker and handle even better (which is already very good in current form). People don't have to like every other manufacturer out there but if you let emotional brand bias blind you chances are you'll miss out on some great rides.

 

We all need to remember that competition is good...Next thing we know were seeing a MS3 achieving a 8:20...then followed by Cruze SS pulling in an astonishing 8:15

 

This is what it could look like. Still no LSD being offered.

 

? the ms3 always had lsd. It wasnt a option it was standard.

New ms3 seems sweet, maybe they updated to the 2.5l turbo? With that bigger engine and more track time I bet the ms3 will be able to take the TC cobalt SS time...soo the competition gets hotter

 

The current 2.3 DISI is a better motor than the 2.5 5 cyl. If Mazda would ever put some decent internals from the factory, I would consider one. If you look on there forums those guys with any decent power are running Crower Rods & Arias Pistons. The Protege was even weaker and there tranny was a joke. Mazda knows how to set up a chassis as good as any car manufacure though.

 

the msp was a JOKE. Cosworth just tossed a turbo on an n/a motor and called it a day. handled great tho.

 

I believe it was Callaway who designed the turbo on the MSP.

 

you may be right. I just know how horrible of a job they did whoever it was. One of my friends friends had one and i went over to his house for the rebuild when he but a 28r on it and blew the motor. those rods are like....wow. i would expect those rods in an n/a 1.6l. they were ****** toothpicks.

 

the 2.3 COULD be a better motor yes..oh i know all about the "blown rods" on the forums. I hope since the 2010 ms3 has the same engine/tranny that they fixed that..but probably didnt as they must have lots of 2.3l disi's laying around. I have 28k miles on mine with zero mechanical issues, but only a sri. but some have blown the rods stock, its with any car though. I cant wait for the new focus RS and ms3 times to come out though...mmmm finally some good handling cars with gas mileage to boot!

 

ITS ALIVE!!!!

again?

 

Do the tape it up to disguise the look of the car?

 

still slow!

 

UBER SLOW!