"A front-drive compact car pushed to the limit." That was a condensed, yet accurate, description of the Mazdaspeed3 offered by Greg Young, director of public relations at Mazda Canada. Based on the hatchback version of the recently redesigned Mazda3, it's packed with about as much power and performance as its light chassis can handle.

Mazdaspeed3 is not a large-volume production vehicle. While Mazda3 is one of the best-selling cars in Canada, the Speed3 variant typically accounts for less than two per cent of its total sales. So it's not a car that will dramatically turn Mazda sales around - down about 17 per cent this year, which is actually slightly better than the Canadian auto-industry average.

Its role as an image leader for the line is enhanced with a new hood scoop. This feature certainly gives the 2010 Mazdaspeed3 a more distinctive appearance, which many felt was lacking in the previous generation. It's also a functional feature in that it also improves air flow to a repositioned turbocharger intercooler.

Externally, the Speed3 also has unique front fender and front bumper designs, cylindrical bixenon headlamps, a curving character line on the side panels, a large "floating" rear spoiler and LED taillights. New 18-inch alloy wheels have a design theme taken from the Mazda RX-8.

Other than the intercooler modification, the 2.3-litre, 263-horsepower engine is basically the same as the '09. Its torque curve, however, is different and peaks at 3,000 r.p.m. with 280 ft.-lb. available. A turbo-boost gauge also has been added to the instrument panel.

The in-cylinder cooling effect of direct fuel injection produces 10 per cent more torque than conventional turbo engines. A more advanced boost pressure-control system now suppresses sudden torque peaks to provide a more linear torque curve.

Mazdaspeed3's claimed top speed is a staggering 250 kilometres per hour, and it can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in just 6.1 seconds. City fuel consumption has been reduced (11.5 L/100 km versus 11.8 L/100 km) compared to the outgoing model. Highway consumption, however, is up a little, eight litres/100 km versus 7.6.

Surprisingly, the new Speed3 has an eco-friendly first, a catalytic converter that uses what's called single-nanotechnology. Apparently this reduces the amount of precious metals needed in its construction.

The 2010 is definitely a more refined Mazdaspeed3. Mazda has worked at smoothing the raw performance edges on the current car and has made it a smoother and more driveable machine. Drive shafts were redesigned to minimize torque steer, and it comes with a torque-sensing limited-slip differential.

Its six-speed manual transmission (no automatic version offered) has wider gear ratios and triple-cone synchronizers on first, second and third gears for improved gearshift operation. Reinforcements inside the front cowl and a larger tunnel member increase its body stiffness, plus suspension improvements provide higher roll stiffness.

An electronic stability-control system is standard, and its stopping power also has been improved. It has larger-diameter disc brakes, and a new electronic brake-assist feature has been added to the fourwheel anti-lock system.

Mazdaspeed3 only comes in one fully equipped package (no options), and its new price ($32,995) is up a bit, but so is content in that equipment package. It also remains very competitive when compared with its primary market rivals, the Subaru WRX and the VW Golf GTI.

Packed with performance and a sporty new look, the new 2010 edition of the Mazdaspeed3 is a more sophisticated performer.