The work is underway on a hot version of the new Mazda3 at the company’s headquarters in Japan. But if you are waiting for it, don’t hold your breath. According to the latest reports the soonest the new Mazda3 MPS, or Speed3, can arrive is the second half of 2016.

When it finally comes, though, the 2017 Mazda3 MPS will be an absolute cracker. The hot hatch will pack a 2.5-liter engine turbocharged SKYACTIV four-banger with minimum 300 horsepower. Of course hot Mazdas have always been kind of overpowered, but the word is the new MPS will benefit from measures that help it put that huge power into good use; measures such as an all-wheel-drive system.

The next 3 MPS will also get a super aggressive body kit, lowered ride height, and larger wheels. Seeing as the standard Mazda3 is fine-looking car, chances are its hot hatch variant will also be pleasant to look at. Mind you, they will probably retain some of the traditional design features like the hood scoop which looks like a hole in the car’s face. So it may not be all peachy.

The launch of the next Mazda3 MPS will coincide with the release of a coupe version of the yet-to-be-revealed 2015 Mazda MX-5.

Via Autonews