Mazdaspeed Protege at SEMA! Shocker!

NealMcD

Member
What's this? A NEW front end or the facelifted version for spring/summer?!

http://prn.newscom.com/cgi-bin/members/thumb/wmark?doc=PRN/prnphotos/docs/030/162&size=512&logo=logo

And here's the story:

Mazda's Newest Hot Rod Roars Into Sin City -

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The new 2003.5 MAZDASPEED(R) Protege
raises temperatures in the already-scorching Nevada desert when it is unveiled
at the 2002 Specialty Equipment Market Association's (SEMA) annual expo. The
turbocharged sport compact sedan makes its global debut at the Las Vegas
Convention Center along with other pavement-burning MAZDASPEED performance
vehicles.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20021104/LAM108 )
Mazda design engineers are at it once again with the mid-year launch of
the 2003.5 MAZDASPEED Protege, which is the feisty relative of the highly
acclaimed Mazda MP3 and 2003 MAZDASPEED Protege.
Complete with a host of new features, this tuner's dream car adds a fresh
exterior look with new front and rear skirts, rear wing with center high-mount
stop light, and a larger MAZDASPEED-branded oval exhaust tip. New Dark Hyper
Silver Racing Hart aluminum wheels complete the cars aggressive look.
The interior of the 2003.5 features a newly branded MAZDASPEED shift knob,
pedals and floor mats. The center gauge needles are silver, and the steering
wheel, shift boot and seats receive electric yellow stitching accents -- a
perfect complement to its already racy look.
Limited to only 2,500 units for the U.S. and Canada, the new version of
the MAZDASPEED Protege boasts a high-end performance package, which includes a
turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter engine, limited-slip differential and
ultra low-profile Z-rated tires wrapped around 17-inch wheels. The hot rod
also offers large capacity, European-specification four-wheel disc brakes and
a 450-watt MP3 audio system by Kenwood.

ENGINE AND DRIVETRAIN
Mazda teams up once again with world-class automotive racecar engineers to
deliver superior performance for the 2003.5 MAZDASPEED Protege's chassis,
drivetrain and turbocharger. Callaway Cars, Inc. assisted Mazda engineers in
elevating the car's 2.0-liter 16-valve, four-cylinder engine to a
high-performance level by using the Garrett T25 turbocharger system, which
incorporates the latest in aerodynamic and ball-bearing technology. With this
joint relationship between Mazda and Callaway engineers, the 2003.5 MAZDASPEED
Protege achieves acceleration without sacrificing overall efficiency.
Delivering 170 horsepower solidly to the ground is a Tochigi Fuji Sangyo
KK Super Limited-Slip Differential, assisted by large 24mm driveshafts (versus
22mm for the standard Protege). Mazda also added a heavy-duty clutch disc and
pressure plate to handle the cars horsepower.

SUSPENSION
With more than 30 years of experience with Mazda vehicles, Racing Beat
continues its development work on the 2003.5 MAZDASPEED Protege with chassis
refinements, suspension upgrades and a high-performance exhaust system. The
result is a sport compact sedan with tremendous handling and superior
all-around performance.
The 2003.5 MAZDASPEED Protege comes complete with specially engineered
front MacPherson struts, a strut tower brace, higher rate coil springs,
re-valved Tokico dampers and a larger diameter stabilizer bar bracket and
bushings. The rear suspension boasts Racing Beat-tuned independent struts
with Twin Trapezoidal Links (TTL), coil springs and a larger stabilizer bar.
The special Tokico dampers on the 2003.5 MAZDASPEED Protege have been
designed to improve steering feedback and response, control excess chassis
motion and keep the tires planted firmly on the road surface. The twin-tube
low-pressure design uses a multistage variable-aperture sandwich-valve system
consisting of precision spring plates and angle-drilled piston ports. This
sophisticated oil-flow-management system provides just the right amount of
resistance at a wide variety of suspension motions and velocities.

WHEELS AND TIRES
Japan's premier performance wheel manufacturer, Racing Hart, developed its
first set of Mazda-exclusive alloy wheels for the Mazda MP3 in 2001. 2003
marked another monumental launch when Mazda and Racing Hart developed newly
designed aluminum wheels for the 2003 MAZDASPEED Protege. The 2003.5
MAZDASPEED Protege will be fitted with the same Racing Hart 17x7-inch
five-spoke wheels as the 2003 model but will stand out with a Dark Hyper
Silver treatment. The Racing Harts roll on Bridgestone Potenza RE040
P215/45ZR-17 uni-directional ultra-high-performance tires.

AUDIO SYSTEM
For the third straight year, Mazda and Kenwood have united to deliver
another explosive audio system. Responsible for the first-ever OEM MP3 system
in last year's Mazda MP3, the 2003.5 MAZDASPEED Protege features an in-dash
CD/MP3 receiver -- the Kenwood Excelon KDC-MP919.
This powerful 450-watt, four-channel (50-watts per channel) system
features six speakers, an eight-inch subwoofer and a 250-watt amplifier. Both
the subwoofer and amplifier are mounted under the package shelf in the trunk.
One of the most versatile audio systems ever offered, the Excelon KDC-MP919
allows drivers to listen to standard AM/FM radio stations or play conventional
CDs and MP3-encoded CD-R/RWs.
The Kenwood KDC-MP919 has a fully motorized faceplate that is hidden away
until the ignition is turned on. Before leaving the vehicle, the driver has
the option of either removing the faceplate for added security, or letting it
automatically disappear from view when the ignition is switched off.
The KDC-MP919's MegaMotion(TM) Display readout provides high-resolution
visuals as well as moving images. In addition, the unit is pre-wired to
accept Sirius(R) Satellite Radio, which includes 100 digital channels of
music, talk and news broadcast by three satellites offering national coverage.
Built-in high- and low-pass electronic crossovers allow the driver to control
the range of signals sent to the speakers. System Q Sound Control provides
five pre-set EQ curves (e.g., rock, jazz, etc.) and three speaker-matching EQ
curves for tone tailoring.

WARRANTY
Like every Mazda model, the 2003.5 MAZDASPEED Protege comes with a
four-year roadside assistance program. With a call to a toll-free number,
MAZDASPEED Protege owners can access roadside assistance 24 hours a day,
365 days a year throughout the United States and Canada. For all 2003 Mazda
vehicles, the company will provide a free loaner car in the event a
warrantable condition requires the use of alternative transportation.
The 2003.5 MAZDASPEED Protege is covered by a comprehensive
four-year/50,000-mile warranty that covers every part on the vehicle except
those subject to normal wear. In addition, the MAZDASPEED Protege is covered
by a five-year/unlimited-mileage corrosion warranty.

Mazda North American Operations is responsible for the sales and
marketing, customer parts and service support of Mazda vehicles in the United
States. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., MNAO has more than 700 dealerships
nationwide.
 
Is it just me or what, but I don't like the look of it as well as the 2003 MSP, guess that is one reason why I am not waiting.
 
From the photo, the wheels look the same color, the 2003 MSP has hyper silver RH wheels. The front doesn't look as agressive, looks like a 626 or something.
 
The rear wing looks like a tunnel design and looks cool, but where the hell are the foglights at in the picture? I find it disturbing that they are changing it already and it isn't even out yet. Not because I like the updated version better, but, because now people will have diff body style that is newer than mine will be, that blows.
 
Hmmmm, I'm not feeling the foglight-less front facia. They should just leave the body alone and add more power. Light and even 200hp.
 
I second that..
The new front end doesn't do it for me...Maybe it will take some time for me to grow into liking it...But as of right now, i'll stick with my 2003 Mazdaspeed Protege. i already think this car is great. No need for any changes. Although, with this new facelift, at least, for us '03 MS-P owners, we won't have identical cars when the '03.5 MS-P come out.
It's all good! :)
 
Holy !@#@, What happened to the body kit????:confused:

Silver kinda cool, I wonder if the silver will have same quality paint. Well I won't be interested in a new Protege until they change the powerplant to a variable valve timing engine. But, please-please-please Mazda don't change suspension. my 2 cents:cool:
 
Somebody get down there and take some good pictures, STAT!

I think I like it. I don't think I'd miss the fog lights. I like the "i'll stick with my 2003 Mazdaspeed Protege" comment. What Protege? Maybe we'll get to see the 2003 and 2003.5 side-by-side at the rate Mazda's going.

So are we agreed that the two colors will be the titanium and yellow from the SE Miatas? The yellow seat stitching seems to indicate as much.

I'm also pleased to hear of the 4yr/50k warranty. Will that be for 2003 models too?
 
I didn't believe this posting until I checked Mazda USA's website (under MazdaSpeed>2003.5) The same press release is there with this unembossed picture. Anybody have a clear shot of the rear wing?

(and how do you post the image and not the file?)
 

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hahah sweet, the 2003.5 body kit is gay!
awesome!!! hehe makes the 2003 one even better! and silver...blech! so generic!! awesome!

the thing that pisses me off though is they are hyping this one and the original damn mazdaspeed protege isnt even out yet. bastards!
 
if you look closely, they added a hint of the Auto EXE front lip spoiler that most people have added to the MP3/P5. I think if the fogs were in there, people would have a more positive reaction to this car. And the angle the picture was taken at does not show off the car well.
 
Just a question...maybe i'm not with the times but WTF IS GOING ON HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! So much thinking about getting this MSP and now your caying another model of the MSP is coming out within half a year??? With different colors??? Whats going on? I heard no more new MS cars will be released for at least a year most likely 2! 2003.5? does that mean this model is coming out in approximately june of 2003??? Some one fill me in on this info please!
 
Different Body Kit??

I think the body kit is totally the same as the Mazdaspeed Protege and the Mp3 except it doesn't have the foglights. Oh yes! And a different rear wing. Guys please compare the MSP and MP3 photo with the above one. You will see that they're the same. So why don't you like the body kit? If you want fog lights, I bet you can snap one right on.
 
"this tuner's dream car adds a fresh exterior look with new front and rear skirts, rear wing with center high-mount stop light, and a larger MAZDASPEED-branded oval exhaust tip."

Sorry my bad. After looking at it carefully, the front bumper is different. I still think the side skirts are the same though. The article didn't mention about new side skirts too.
 
Phew!! Thank the lord! I had considered waiting until the spring for a Grey/Silver MSP and seeing that picture has made up my mind...Black Mica it is! I am thoroughly unimpressed with that new front facia.
 
All you have to do is buythe Wings West front bumper. It looks VERY similar to the current MP3 bumper.
 
New 4 year 50 000 miles warranty?

Some people been talking on this one , nobody told me that i will have this on my 2003, anyone aware of that?
 
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