Mazda 3 hot hatch in the works - report

Kota Beppu, program manager for the Mazda 3, has confirmed he is interested in creating a "hyper" version of the Mazda 3. He told Autocar there was interest in the vehicle from Mazda's US, Japan and Australian arms, but cautioned the project had yet to be signed off. Unnamed insiders have told the magazine approval for the new variant is virtually a certainty. Indeed, the company's US research and development centre has reportedly developed a proof-of-concept vehicle.