In yesterday's open thread for our 2010 Mazdaspeed 3, our good friend, Bob Holland (rsholland), commented, "I've heard reports of severe torque-steer upon hard acceleration..."
Torque steer? Oh, yes, indeed, there's torque steer. Frankly, though, it would feel strange to drive a front-wheel-drive car rated at 280 pound-feet of torque at 3,000 rpm that *didn't* have torque steer. There's got to be a price for asking the front wheels to manage this much torque, plus steer the car.
But I'd call the case of torque steer in our Mazdaspeed 3 moderate, not severe. It's there every time you accelerate full-throttle down an open highway, but there's no danger of the steering wheel getting ripped from your hands. The car just feels squirmy, much like a current-generation Mini Cooper S, and you either like that or you don't. And the acceleration itself is pretty exciting.
Also in the open thread, crazydavefym asked, "Would you guys enjoy this car (more/less/same) with the DSG transmission from the GTI?"
I suspect our staff is divided on this one, since Al and James have gone on record as disliking the clutch. But if I get to answer this question, and I do, since I'm blogging here, I say no.
I don't mind the quick (--> abrupt) clutch engagement, I like the shifter's mechanical feel through the gates and, most of all, I like heel-and-toe downshifting in this car. That said, Mazda would be wise to offer a twin-clutch transmission on the Mazdaspeed 3 in future years, because then more people would get to enjoy the MS3.
Erin Riches, Senior Editor
carguy622 says:
05:12 PM, 02/17/10
Dear Mazda:
Feel free to offer a twin-clutch transmission in the future, but don't take away the true manual option.
Cheers,
Mr. Addicted to the 3rd Pedal.
P.S.: Stop grafting smiles on the fronts of your cars.
roadburner says:
06:59 PM, 02/17/10
I'm glad that Mazda doesn't offer a DSG/slushbox or a sunroof. It sure weeds out the poseurs. ;)
slcmitch says:
10:05 PM, 02/17/10
So, I understand that this post is all about how great the torque steer is, but I'll bring this up anyway.
I think I'd rather have Mazda focus on fitting this car with a sweet AWD system than an automatic slushbox.
Right now, if I had to choose between a MS3 and a WRX, I'd choose the Subi just for the all wheel drive.
chavis10 says:
07:10 AM, 02/18/10
My take on the car goes like this: I really don't see the point of the output when the car can't effectively use it. The acceleration figures simply aren't that impressive considering the power to weight ratio. It may "feel" fast because of the torque (the same way diesels feel fast but are slower compared to gas engines of similar power) but it really isn't. Why create so much power and torque if it has to be artificially trimmed in the first few gears?
rsholland says:
07:41 AM, 02/18/10
Erin, you're correct: You either don't mind torque steer, or it bugs the hell out of you. Obviously it can't be all bad, as Acura has done pretty darn well on the racetrack with FWD Integras, etc., as surely the race-prepped cars must have loads of torque-steer.
johnmarco says:
08:40 AM, 02/18/10
Nice pic. Sepulveda, North of Sunset?
chavis10 says:
10:40 AM, 02/18/10
"racetrack with FWD Integras, etc., as surely the race-prepped cars must have loads of torque-steer."
Did I just read Integra and torque in the same sentence? j/k
huyracing says:
08:43 PM, 02/18/10
torque steer and wheel spin remind you that you are driving a high end example of the FWD cars and there is simply too much power. its like driving a high powered RWD in that sense and I find it makes it special.
cr_driver says:
09:21 AM, 02/19/10
I wouldn`t want those compromises
Torque steer
Abrupt clutch engagement
The ugly front deserves a whole new thread LOL