Late last year, Mazda gave the 3 MPS its second upgrade in six years. Current models are easy to spot - if you're interested in making the distinction and don't understand how registration numbers work - thanks to the new gunmetal finish on the 18" alloy wheels and the Black Mica used for the door mirror housings, the new inner roof spoiler (mounted underneath the familiar large rear wing) and the lower part of the back bumper.The 2.3-litre turbo petrol engine, whose 256bhp maximum power output seemed extraordinary back in 2006 but has now been exceeded by some rivals, is unaltered, but the exhaust, while still giving a sporty rasp at low revs, has been made 10dB quieter above 5000rpm. Since a 3dB reduction means the noise level has been halved, that's quite a change.The gear ratios have been lengthened, which is fine because the engine is memorably flexible (pulling well from as little as 1000rpm) and can easily cope with large rev drops between gears. The most obvious reason for making the change is to improve official fuel economy, and sure enough the MPS is now rated at slightly above 30mpg for the first time. The 219g/km CO2 figure is also a new record.Mazda has also worked at the suspension, in the interests of making the car more comfortable. Frankly, I never thought of this as being a major problem, but yes, okay, it does feel a little less harsh than it did. No argument there.However, if you've followed my reviews of the 3 MPS in its various forms over the years you'll know that it has never even come close to being my favourite hot hatch. In my view, Mazda has never got the damping right, and the weight of the engine has always seemed to have more bearing on the car's behaviour than any suspension settings.This has not changed. The new car feels wrong in a slightly different way from before, but it still feels wrong. It has absolutely none of the sharpness of the almost trackday-like Renaultsport Megane, and nor can it match the more obviously dual-purpose Vauxhall Astra VXR or Volkswagen Golf GTi. Even the new Ford Focus ST, which I don't believe is as good as it could be, is both more nimble and more secure than the Mazda.I know people who absolutely love the 3 MPS, but I'm not going to be one of their number until Mazda abandons the idea of fiddling with a suspension set-up that has never been right and instead rethinks the whole business from scratch. Engine 2261cc, 4 cylinders Power 256bhp Transmission 6-speed manual Fuel/CO2 30.1mpg / 219g/km Acceleration 0-62mph: 6.1 seconds Top speed 155mph Price £23,995 Details correct at publication date
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