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The rejuvenated Mazda group has been making some effort to promote the sporting aspects of its volume models. The effort was ended when the refined Mazda Company recently took a bold step and brought its whole range to Castle Combe, a fast, flowing racetrack near Chippenham in the English shires.

It is a step which manufacturers are usually reluctant to take because experience tells them they can lose a few cars. It is becoming harder to find anywhere to research the boundaries of modern cars. They grow faster and more capable as years pass by, yet are built for roads that are ever more crowded and regulated for profit instead of safety.

Because the cars were not designed for a closed track, it was at one time seen as an irrelevance. But now, it is almost the only wise choice. The differences between segments of the market remain large if strong competition and massive legislation have brought conformity in styling and dynamics.

The mid-sized 3 MPS, (from €35,995) was spiced up by a new aero bodykit and suspension package. Its 260bhp already lays the claim to the title of most powerful front-driven hatch. A quite more understated version of the same body has been featured with a new 141bhp turbodiesel, since no range is complete without a performance oil-burner.

There was also the bigger, four-wheel-drive Mazda6 saloon (€45,395). Moreover, there are also the latest versions of the MX-5, the small two-seater that has almost become a separate brand (€29,995 to €33,895), and the four-seat, four-door coupe that is the rotary-engined RX-8 (€38,995 to €46,895).

First up was the diesel, which was followed by the earlier, non aero-kitted MPS. It is an awful lot of muscle to put in a relatively small hatch and 260 horsepower made the traction control work overtime through most of Castle Combe's fast and bumpy bends.

The RX-8 is a front-engined, rear-drive layout; its nose pointed into the corners and the rear follows - unlike the front-driven hatchback, which was quick but worked its front tires too hard. Each Mazda accessory in it really gives that zoom-zoom feeling.

The Wankel turns out less than the MPS's turbocharged, two-liter piston engine.

In a rotary’s power curve, there are no spikes and the output flows consistently all the way to almost 9,000rpm - unlike the turbo, which has a massive, tire-spinning wallop at nearly 2,000rpm then tails off as the revs rise towards the 7,000rpm maximum.

So although the lap times were about the same, the RX-8 feels almost slow. And without a doubt, it is classier on track.

Any aftermarket parts need ads for them to be recognized and purchased by the public.

In the case of Mazda, it is definitely making a good work in the aftermarket industry. Their cars and parts are further made better through the effectiveness of their seemingly never-ending advertising gimmick.

They make product campaigns that have persuaded the public a lot. They have come to define the performance elegance, the corporate philosophy, the very heart and soul of Mazda style, engineering and design – things which a good advertisement must convey. In effect, their customers interpret their products as never nor ugly or boring.

The company’s success in ads and sales are primarily because of their products such as the entry-level Mazda3, which was second to the Honda Civic in Canadian sales; the Mazda6, fashionable in whatever configuration, from wagon to hatchback to sedan; the MX-5 Miata that is always evolving and perennially; the RX-8 four-seater sports car rotary-powered and still one-of-a-kind in the industry; the ever stylish Mazda5, which is very practical for family use; the CX-7 and CX-9, which recently debuted and two of the best-looking crossovers in the market; and future products such as the Hakaze, the Nagare and the Ryuga concepts.

The whole “zoom, zoom” concept, according to Mazda is an accent on peculiar design, functionality and, especially, handling and driving performance. And for the company, the Mazda Speed division spells out that spirit.

Formed in 1983, Mazda Speed is the performance wing of the company. A Mazda Speed entry gave Mazda the first and only overall Le Mans victory by a Japanese automaker in 1999. The following year, the FIA changed the rules. It banned rotary engines. So in 1993, Mazda Speed started paying more attention to its aftermarket accessories. In 2002, they started to produce special edition performance versions of existing models in the market.

Mazda invited Canadian some automotive journalists just recently to the Dunnville Autodrome, which is a race facility in Ontario. This is to further explore the performance edge of the models and accessories of Mazda Speed with the premises “How does a Mazda Speed model perform in comparison to the original stock model?” and “what differences can you make by bolstering a Mazda Speed version even further with more go-fast add-ons and fixes from the Mazda Speed accessory list?”

The model Mazda6 comes with a 212 hp 3.0-litre V6, five -speed manual, and 18-inch alloy wheels. It has a starting price of $28,595, quite ok for its sporty attributes.

On the other hand, the MazadaSpeed6 has a 270 hp, turbo-powered 2.3-liter, 6-speed manual, AWD, Limited Slip, stability control, wider track, lowered ground clearance, bigger brakes, fatter stabilizer bars, Mazda Speed 18-inch alloy wheels. It has a starting price of $35,995.

A modified MazadaSpeed6 has performance accessories with forged aluminum wheels ($2,797), a 2.5-inch diameter powdered aluminum cold air intake ($416) and a sport spring kit ($383).

The Mazda Speed models may come with a complete package of performance improvement and the additional tweaks and applications can still make a notable difference in power, ride and handling.

Through the Mazda Speed accessories, the white marble Mazda MX-5 and other stock vehicles can now be improved to achieve higher level of performance. The additions of cold air intake, Mazda exhaust system that is sporty and a sport spring kit were improved by the cosmetic and airflow enhancements of a rear spoiler, front air dam, rear under skirt and side sill extensions.

All these added accessories plus an optional performance package that includes limited slip differential, directional stability control and sport suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers total to $34,195.

Indeed, aftermarket parts are useful to any type of car. They bring enhancements with assured improved performance, comfort, handling and driving experience.

About Mazda Motor Corporation

A Japanese automotive manufacturer, Mazda is based in Hiroshima, Japan. The company is expected to produce 1.25 million vehicles per year as of 2006. Its sales are evenly divided among Japan, Europe and North America.

Thirty three point four (33.4) percent of Mazda’s controlling interest is owned by Ford Motor Company.