Edmunds.com on the 2003 Mazdaspeed Protege
From Edmunds.com:
http://www.edmunds.com/news/autoshows/articles/53156/page016.html
What is it?
2003 Mazdaspeed Protege
What's special about it?
Mazdaspeed is the name of the team established in 1967 in order to institute Mazdas in the motorsport world. Since then, Mazdas, and especially the RX-7 with its rotary engine, have captured numerous trophies, the most prestigious being the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race in 1991, the only Japanese car ever to win that race. Since then, Mazdaspeed, with a devoted, race-lovin' following, has been dedicated to aftermarket parts and accessories to enhance its vehicles. Mazda now plans to expand its line of performance-enhancing parts and accessories for street use as well as logo-ed apparel for the fashion-forward crowd who want to display their allegiance.
For the first time, Mazda is releasing a street-legal vehicle massaged by Mazdaspeed. The Protege, already a delight to drive, is further augmented by a Garrett T24 turbocharger which will increase horsepower output to 170, tempered by a Tochigi Fuju Sangyo KK Super limited-slip differential. For the chassis, Racing Beat used a strut tower brace, higher-rate coil springs, revalved Tokico dampers and larger-diameter stabilizer bar bracket and bushings for the front and twin trapezoidal links for the rear suspension. A 17-inch wheel with a five-spoke design adds visual drama to the package.
Inside, the Protege is spruced up with drilled aluminum pedals, a Sparco shift knob, silver-faced gauges, a Nardi steering wheel and color-keyed stitching. Kenwood is responsible for the cool (if somewhat difficult to use) CD/MP3 player with 450 watts.
Why should you care?
On sale in the fall of 2002, only 2,000 units will be available. Right now Mazdaspeed is more specialized than Ford's SVT, but with this entrance into the production world, it seems to be going mainstream.
From Edmunds.com:
http://www.edmunds.com/news/autoshows/articles/53156/page016.html
What is it?
2003 Mazdaspeed Protege
What's special about it?
Mazdaspeed is the name of the team established in 1967 in order to institute Mazdas in the motorsport world. Since then, Mazdas, and especially the RX-7 with its rotary engine, have captured numerous trophies, the most prestigious being the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race in 1991, the only Japanese car ever to win that race. Since then, Mazdaspeed, with a devoted, race-lovin' following, has been dedicated to aftermarket parts and accessories to enhance its vehicles. Mazda now plans to expand its line of performance-enhancing parts and accessories for street use as well as logo-ed apparel for the fashion-forward crowd who want to display their allegiance.
For the first time, Mazda is releasing a street-legal vehicle massaged by Mazdaspeed. The Protege, already a delight to drive, is further augmented by a Garrett T24 turbocharger which will increase horsepower output to 170, tempered by a Tochigi Fuju Sangyo KK Super limited-slip differential. For the chassis, Racing Beat used a strut tower brace, higher-rate coil springs, revalved Tokico dampers and larger-diameter stabilizer bar bracket and bushings for the front and twin trapezoidal links for the rear suspension. A 17-inch wheel with a five-spoke design adds visual drama to the package.
Inside, the Protege is spruced up with drilled aluminum pedals, a Sparco shift knob, silver-faced gauges, a Nardi steering wheel and color-keyed stitching. Kenwood is responsible for the cool (if somewhat difficult to use) CD/MP3 player with 450 watts.
Why should you care?
On sale in the fall of 2002, only 2,000 units will be available. Right now Mazdaspeed is more specialized than Ford's SVT, but with this entrance into the production world, it seems to be going mainstream.
