Though the U.S. market has yet to see the diesel->ke1917 variants of the Mazda3->ke504, the European market has enjoyed them for quite some time now. Because Europeans are more accepting of diesel powerplants, Mazda->ke53 specialist BBR has taken the all 2006 through 2013 Mazda3 diesels -- 2.0- or 2.2-liter -- to task with a sweet tuning kit.

BBR starts off with its Phase One kit that remaps the ECU with its StarChip tune to more effectively use the fuel, airflow and turbocharger to produce massive output numbers. This kit bumps the 2.2 185 PS diesel engine from its stock 181 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque to 219 horsepower and 378 pound-feet of torque -- a 38-horsepower gain and 68-pound-feet gain.

This Phase One kit also works on the 2.2 150 PS diesel engine, bumping it from the stock 151 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque to 192 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque.

On top of the Phase One's power upgrade, it also helps improve highway fuel economy, but BBR offered no specifics on the economy increases. This kit runs £499, including installation. If you choose to install it yourself, you will actually pay £100, as you have to also purchase the EcuTek ProEcu to allow at-home programming and tuning.

The Phase Two kit is only available on the 2.2 185 PS diesel engine and bumps it to 243 horsepower and 392 pound-feet of torque. The torque is actually restricted, as this is the mechanical limitation of the stock clutch. This kit achieves these awesome numbers by way of a bolt-on hybrid turbocharger with updated internals, a high-flow air filter and ECU remapping. This kit runs £1,499 with BBR installation or £1,199 if you install it yourself. The latter price includes the EcuTek ProEcu programming kit too.

Because going fast is no fun without a little handling, BBR also offers up an MPS Performance Spring Set for £485 installed (£185 without installation) to help stiffen the suspension in the corners. Also available are the Koni adjustable dampers to allow you to choose from a softer ride for long tours or a stiffer ride for whipping the Mazda3 through the turns. These dampers run £880 with installation (£580 without installation).

BBR doesn't offer up a body kit to go along with the mods, so this little rap-tapping diesel remains one sick sleeper.

Click past the jump to read about the UK-spec Mazda3

2006 - 2013 Mazda3 Diesel by BBR

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2006 - 2013 Mazda3 Diesel by BBR
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 181
  • Torque: 310
  • Transmission: Six-Speed Manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

2013 Mazda3 UK-Spec

On the outside, the UK-spec Mazda3 looks just like the one you'll see rolling down the roads in the U.S. Under the hood, however, things completely change, as the UK-spec model features a slew of engine options that you cannot get in the U.S.

The base setup (Tamura) comes with a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with 77 kW (103 horsepower) and 145 Nm (107 pound-feet of torque). This sprints the petite Mazda to 62 mph in 12.2 seconds and to a top speed of 112 mph with a manual transmission. Optional on the Tamura is a 1.6-liter diesel engine that pumps out 85 kW (114 horsepower) and 270 Nm (199 pound-feet) of torque, which translates to an 11-second 0-to-60 mph time and a 116 mph top speed.

The range topper in the Mazda3 lineup in the UK is the Sport Nav trim, which includes the 2.2-liter 185 PS diesel engine and a six-speed manual transmission. This engine cranks out 136 kW (181 horsepower) and 400 Nm (310 pound-feet). This launches the Mazda3 to 60 mph in just 8.2 seconds and to a top speed of 132 mph.