“Hyper-Hatch” Mazda3 in the Works?

Mazda Motor Corp. is developing a performance variant of the redesigned Mazda3 small car that could launch by the end of next year, Autocar reports.

The carmaker’s California research and development center has developed a proof-of-concept prototype of the vehicle in cooperation with engineers in Japan, according to the British enthusiast magazine. A production model hasn’t been approved yet.

Kota Beppu, who heads the Mazda3 team, says he’s pushing for a high-performance Mazda3, which he describes as a “hyper” hatchback.

Beppu tells Autocar there is interest in such a vehicle from customers in Australia, Japan and the U.S. If approved, a performance Mazda3 will use a stand-alone piston engine rather than a hybrid powertrain, he says.

One possible candidate is Mazda’s turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. The engine makes 247 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque in the CX-5 crossover and Mazda6 sedan.

In addition to high-speed performance, Beppu says a hot Mazda3 should be “responsible” and “more friendly” than Volkswagen’s track-oriented Golf GTI. This could be accomplished in part by using all-wheel drive to control torque steer.

The fourth-generation Mazda3 sedan and hatchback were launched earlier this year. Five engines are available in the U.S.: three gasoline units (1.5-, 2.0- and 2.5-liters), a 1.8-liter diesel and the carmaker’s 2.0-liter SkyActiv-X homogeneous-charge-compression-ignition system.