Through time Mazda rolled out not a few performance models, but so far it lacks a distinct division in the vein of the BMW M, Mercedes-AMG and Audi Sport.
This will change, as using MPS branding is going to get more consistent.
The announcement was made by the company’s senior managing executive officer, Yuji Nakamine, quoted by Motoring: “This kind of strategy is reasonable. So, if we can, MPS is something that could help us improve the brand further. So we continue to look at it.“
However, the development of a new Mazda3/Mazda6 MPS has been put on hold and it won’t be seen on newer models before the release of the rotary-powered sports car, whose future is uncertain. Expected initially to pop out in 2020, in time for the company’s centenary, the vehicle should have been inspired by the RX-Vision Concept, shown a few months ago in Tokyo, but Nakamine recently dismissed it.
Before Mazda’s R&D department will decide on what approach the MPS and rotary-powered sports car need, it continues to focus on crossovers and SUVs, since demand for vehicles in these segments has increased. The automaker has already rolled out the new CX-9 flagship and it has the CX-4 in the pipeline too, which will be presented at the 2016 Beijing Auto Show, next week.
Note: Mazda3 MPS pictured
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