Mazda and motorsports are inexorably linked. So when the design team at Mazda North American Operations was creating some concept vehicles for the Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas, it was only natural for them to include a couple of motorsports-themed iterations of its latest vehicles, the Mazda3 and the Mazda6.
Each was given the “Club Sport” treatment, a motorsports-inspired scheme of neutral greys, blacks and reds. Form there each received a unique aero treatment and appropriate performance upgrades.
“It’s no secret Mazda is going through a design evolution,” says Derek Jenkins, design director, Mazda North American Operations. “With bolder lines and stronger character features stemming from the ‘KODO – Soul of Motion’ design language, Mazda’s inherent driving dynamics are becoming more and more visually clear. Instead of only being a behind-the-wheel experience, the Zoom-Zoom genetic code is further being embraced, not buried, through increasingly expressive vehicle design.”
The Club Sport 6 Concept features a 14.0:1 low-compression SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel engine, the racing version of which powered the Mazda6 SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel to nine victories in Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series GX competition in 2013. A Racing Beat exhaust adds the appropriate note.
An H&R spring kit, Brembo six-piston brakes squeezing drilled brake rotors and Rays 57 Motorsport wheels with Yokohama S.drive 245/35R20 tires complete the performance upgrades. Visually, the car features a Mazda Design-exclusive Composite Grey finish with Brilliant Black roof. The Mazda Design front, rear and side diffusers and rear spoiler are given the Brilliant Black treatment as well.
The Club Sport 3 Concept is similar, but gets a little more aggressive graphics treatment befitting its sporting and youthful nature. With Slate White forming the base, it included Metallic Silver lines tracing the arch of the wheels and other contours. Glossy Light Gray, Black Mica and Vibrant red add some boldness. The aero kit, which will be available for all 2014 Mazda3 vehicles, gets the Brilliant Black treatment just like the 6.
A 2.5-liter SKYACTIV-G engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission with 20-percent-shorter gearing provides the motivation through a Wavetrac helical limited-slip differential. A CUSCO coilover kit, Racing Beat exhaust, Brembo six-piston brake calipers and Rays 57 Motorsport wheels add the appropriate handling and braking characteristics.
The interior of the Club Sport 3 gets special treatment as well, with red leather used in the seat trim, door panel inserts center console and steering wheel accents. Red contrast stitching on the steering wheel, shift and brake boots and doors adds the final sporting touch.
The Club Sport 3 is currently on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show through Dec. 1.
The 2104 Mazda3 is available at dealers now. Mazda offers all its registered racers a discounted price on new Mazda vehicles through S-Plan pricing. See all the benefits of being a member of the Mazda Team Support Program here. For more information on the new 2014 Mazda3 5-Door, see here.