Looking at buying a new mazda 3 SP25GT at the moment.
More I look at and read about them more I think a new MPS would be brilliant, but more I see the chance of that happening is SFA.
Perfect car I think would be an AWD sedan with a 2ltr turbo.
Based on the current price of a top of the range SP25 Astina and XD Astina (the diesel) I would guess such an MPS would be priced to take on the WRX STI, Golf R Audi S3
The technology in the 3 would rival the S3.
I wouldn't want a 2.5 turbo. Too much torque, not enough revs.
Drive a MPS back to back with a Focus ST or Golf and you'll see just how rough and rubbish the 2.3 is in the MPS. A 2.5 wouldn't be any better.
Reasons it won't happen:
Mazda is aiming everything they do at economy. Everything a MPS is not.
They would need to develop a new DSG or Manual gearbox (market dictates most likely a DSG)
The current "skyactiv" gearboxes would not stand a hope with a high torque engine attached. They are tiny little things designed purely to improve fuel economy.
They couldn't reuse the MPS gearbox as like I said, it's rubbish compared to what would be its rivals, and also, market seems to mainly want autos now.
I just think it would be way too much investment for a drivetrain that realistically would only be used in one model car and a very low selling model at that.
2013 Ford Focus ST - Performance Blue, Cobb AP
Gone 2006 3 MPS Sports - True Red, Koni FSD shocks, in dash OEM look Ebay GPS/DVD, Hypertech, RX8 Rims