Perhaps it’s to do with preceptions, but after a few days in the company of some of the world’s best, the Mazda MPS came away with flying colours. However, this fact was evidenced only after being thrashed around the track.

Under normal driving conditions, it seems a mom’s taxi, more like its rival Subaru Impreza WRX here that has become mom’s taxi, which it beat hands down. So where do these gains come from, after all they have similar outputs? In large part this is thanks to the 2.3-litre Direct Injection Spark Ignition (DISI) turbo engine producing 190kW, with a higher-than-normal compression ratio that has a cooling effect that assists in gaining higher outputs.

The MPS’ outputs are also well controlled and linear, offering ease of handling both in the bends and when exiting them under power. This is also thanks to volume and boost controls that suppress sudden torque peaks and wheel spin. Another plus was that the torque control is linked to the steering angle with the stiffness of the drive-shafts being balanced by optimising ride angles to further control torque-steer.

The internal cooling effect also increases fuel-charge volumes under initial acceleration via higher initial turbine rotation speed in the turbocharger. This is clearly evident when flooring the accelerator from 2500rpm - boost is immediately available and clearly demonstrated by its 80 to 120km/h time of 4.8 seconds in 4th gear. The MPS is a delight to drive under such conditions and due to its flatter output curves the 6-speed transmission has wider gear ratios to fully exploit this.

As part of the suspension tuning to support the high power outputs both the MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension have higher coil springs rates and larger diameter stabilizer bars than the Mazda3. The shock absorbers are also tauter.

Design-wise, the MPS almost definitely influenced Subaru’s designers, but is better looking with its smoother, simpler and more fluid lines. Though the strong press lines flowing back along the bonnet with the air intake for the intercooler, aerodynamic front bumper and large lower grille do offer the MPS a modicum of aggressiveness.

However one major weakness still exists. With such big power outputs when combined with front wheel drive torque steer can be problematical under heavy acceleration — and at times borders on the dangerous on uneven, bumpy roads.