Mazda engineers have been spotted around Germany 's Nürburgring race track with an enhanced version of their Mazda3 - an early prototype for the MazdaSpeed3. It appears that this prototype has a larger, more aggressive exhaust tip, but the real story is found up front.

The large makeshift hood scoop is clear proof that something special has been added to the engine - most likely a turbocharger given the recently turbocharged MazdaSpeed6. The MazdaSpeed6 turbocharges the 2.3-liter four-cylinder, resulting in 274 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, which necessitated a switch to an AWD drivetrain.

Given its place in Mazda's pecking order, it would seem likely that this Mazda3 prototype has a turbocharged version of the 2.0-liter engine, putting horsepower at somewhere near the 235 range. With such power levels, a MazdaSpeed3 version would obviously benefit from all- wheel traction, but could also conceivably remain a front-driver.

We expect that more advanced MazdaSpeed3 prototypes will display revised sheetmetal, with a more aggressive front fascia and a properly integrated hood bulge to accommodate the turbocharger.

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