With Vauxhall Insignia VXR and BMW M3 set to storm the sports car market later in the year, Mazda have decided steal a bit of the thunder by launching a Mazda Performance Series (MPS) version of its popular 6. The stunning hatchback features new spoiler, large air intakes, lowered side skirts for better aerodynamic output and bigger and shinier new alloy wheels lending a fair amount of flair to the four-wheel drive with stiffened and lowered suspensions and updated brakes giving it a superb sporty feel. Though we don’t have the official word on what exactly has gone under the hood of the 6, the beast could house a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine thumping out something like 280bhp with speed credentials of 0-60mph in six seconds and 155mph top speed.

The hot new car is expected to be offered in estate, hatchback, coupé and cabriolet MPS variants. Another hot hatch in the Mazda kitty is the sexy 2 supermini which will feature a sporty bodykit and suspension with the engine being something like a turbo variation of the existing 1.5-litre petrol with more than 170bhp. The 2 MPS is being viewed as a real rival to the Vauxhall Corsa VXR and is all set to go on sale in late 2009. The 6 MPS, on the other hand, will be officially unveiled at the Paris Motor Show later this October with the production model arriving on the scene by 2010.

Source: AutoExpress, Supercars Info