First autocar, and then confirmed by car and driver
Autocar interviewed the program manager for the Mazda 3, who said that he wants a “hyper” version of the hatchback:
“I’m a car guy, so I myself want to drive a high performance Mazda 3… I’ll do my best,” he said. Although he claimed the project had not been officially signed off, insiders suggest that is a formality. Beppu said there was keen interest from “most developed countries”, including the US, Japan and Australia.
While various drivetrain configurations have been discussed, it is the turbocharged 2.5-litre engine from larger US-spec Mazdas that is the most likely powerplant. “Generally speaking we would use the motor to get more performance,” Beppu said in shunning a hot hybrid version.
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/hot-mazda-3-cards-take-vw-golf-gti