Mazda 3

Things are heating up Down Under, as Mazda has revealed the fastest hatchback it has ever made. Visitors to the Syd­ney show got a glimpse of this thrilling 3 MPS Extreme.

With engine, suspension and exhaust modifications, the hot hatch is an even more focused driver’s car. The 2.3-litre turbocharged engine has been tuned to deliver 282bhp and 425Nm of torque – increases of 26bhp and 45Nm respectively.

Performance is said to be improved by 20 per cent, while the brakes have also been uprated to match the racy pace. No acceleration figures are provided, but the five-door is likely to sprint from 0-60mph in less than 5.5 seconds, making it the fastest model in its class. Cosmetic upgrades include 19-inch BBS Motor­sport alloy wheels and extra MPS badging, while the suspension has been lowered by 25mm. The Extreme is set to go on sale in Australia, but UK buyers will have to settle for the standard 256bhp version.