From Car and Driver · · 1m 50s
Mazda MX-3 GS: A Little Hell-Raiser
Mazda's 1992 MX-3 GS sports car winks at you with a four-cylinder V-6 and room for four.
In brief
Mazda's 1992 MX-3 GS sports car winks at you with a four-cylinder V-6 and room for four. Mazda's 1992 MX-3 GS sports car offers four-passenger capacity and a small V-6 engine for a unique driving experience. Originally reported by Car and Driver.
Mazda's Mission Statement
Mazda chairman Kenichi Yamamoto said vehicles wink at you, promising fun times.
“Mazda will make vehicles that wink at you”
The MX-3's Promise
The MX-3 grins conspiratorially with quirky styling and a promise of fun.
“Hey, you’re not doing anything. Whaddya say we go raise a little hell?”
Small Sports-Car Category
The MX-3 competes with sporty coupes like the Toyota Paseo and Nissan NX.
“The MX-3 will run in the small sports-specialty category”
Two Distinctions
Mazda claims the MX-3 has real four-passenger capacity and the world's smallest V-6 engine.
“Two distinctions, actually: real four-passenger capacity, and the automotive world’s smallest V-6 engine”
Aero Design
The MX-3 has a Cd of 0.31 with aero add-ons and styling details like a wrap-over rear window.
“Aero add-ons help trim the Cd to 0.31”
Interior Space
The MX-3 has a generous footprint with a roomy cabin and wide front seats.
“Wheelbase (96.3 inches) and front and rear track (57.5 and 57.7 inches) are very generous for this class”
Engine Details
The MX-3 features a 1845 cc aluminum V-6 with twin camshafts and four valves per cylinder.
“Twin camshafts in each cylinder head operate four valves per cylinder”
Engine Performance
The MX-3's V-6 produces 130 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 115 pound-feet of torque at 4500 rpm.
“SAE net output ratings are 130 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 115 pound-feet of torque at 4500”
Driving Experience
The MX-3's engine has a snarl at 3000 rpm and a smooth, responsive feel up to 7000 rpm.
“Around 3000 rpm, the exhaust resonates with a gorgeous snarl”
Transmission
The MX-3 has a light-action, rod-linkage gearbox with smooth but slightly long throws.
“A light-action, rod-linkage gearbox provides smooth if slightly long throws”
Chassis and Handling
The MX-3's chassis offers stability and agility with a firm strut-type suspension.
“This is the company, remember, that coined the term 'stagility'”
Two MX-3 Models
The MX-3 comes in a GS model with a V-6 and a base model with a four-cylinder engine.
“There will actually be two MX-3s. The one we’ve been talking about is tagged the GS”
Price and Availability
The MX-3 GS is priced competitively with suggested retail in the low teens.
“Prices have not yet been announced, but they will have to be competitive among small sporty coupes”
Mazda's Vision
Mazda aims to make the MX-3 a specialized vehicle that grabs your sleeve and promises a unique experience.
“If Mr. Yamamoto has his way, it will not only wink at you, but will also grab your sleeve and drag you off”
The main idea
Mazda's 1992 MX-3 GS sports car offers four-passenger capacity and a small V-6 engine for a unique driving experience.
