#Mazdaspeed protege wiki driver#
#Mazdaspeed protege wiki manual#

It's called Mazdaspeed, and if it turns out to be a profit center, à la Toyota Racing Development, well, so much the better. It's conceived to demonstrate Mazda's commitment to fun-to-drive, and also to help establish a new performance subsidiary that will sell stuff to young owners who want their cars to stand out from the herd. If zoom-zoom is going to have credibility, some of the other Mazdas gotta get some zoom, too. It's equally clear the Miata can't sustain this image building all by itself. That's what the zoom-zoom ad campaign is all about.

#Mazdaspeed protege wiki driver#

We can't wait to see what else is coming.It's no secret that Mazda wants to be perceived as a purveyor of vehicles that stimulate the driver gratification glands a little more than competing products. For Mazda, bringing back the MazdaSpeed nameplate also means that the company is set to expand its performance parts and accessories division, furthering its stake in amateur and grass-roots racing. and 250 for Canada), it is certain that every new car will be snatched up as soon as it arrives at the showroom. On the center stack, a potent Kenwood 450-watt MP3 audio system is ready to entertain, along with a subwoofer that is now better packaged in the trunk.Īt a price of around $20,000 and with a limited production of only 2000 MazdaSpeed Protegés (1750 units destined for U.S. Inside the cockpit, aftermarket racing accessories such as the Nardi steering wheel, Sparco shift knob and alloy pedals and footrest continue the co-branding theme for the car. New MazdaSpeed badging and Spicy Orange Mica (exclusive) or Black Mica colors complete the exterior visuals. At the rear, the spoiler is redesigned and the taillights are tinted. A large front air dam with built-in foglights is followed by extended rocker panels to give the car a low and aggressive stance. On the outside, the MazdaSpeed car retains much of the MP3's understated but sporty styling. Mazda engineers tell us that this is due to the revised steering rack and the limited-slip differential on the new car. Through the slalom and the tighter parts of the autocross, even though the Protegé retains much of the MP3's dynamic behavior, its steering feel loses a bit of the quickness and sharpness that we admired so much on its predecessor. And with the addition of a limited-slip differential, the MazdaSpeed can apply all of its power to the asphalt with little wheelspin. The rail-like cornering ability transitions to an ample dose of acceleration on the straights. Driving through an autocross course during the car's introduction, the added power becomes apparent. Racing Hart alloy wheels and wider 215/45R-17 Z-rated tires are standard.Īccording to the factory, the 50-lb.-heavier MazdaSpeed Protegé can accelerate from a standing start to 60 mph in the low 7-second range. Enhancements such as the strut tower brace, higher-rate coil springs, revalved Tokico dampers and larger front and rear anti-roll bars are installed on the new car. Racing Beat, the outfit that helped tune the MP3 into a super-handling machine, continues as a partner to develop the MazdaSpeed Protegé's suspension and chassis setup. Larger 24-mm driveshafts (a 2-mm increase over the standard Protegé pieces) and a Tochigi Fuji Sangyo KK limited-slip differential are also added so that the car can better use all the available power.

#Mazdaspeed protege wiki manual#

Keeping the increased horsepower in check through the car's front-wheel-drive system is a 5-speed manual transmission equipped with a heavy-duty clutch and pressure plate. Giving the MazdaSpeed that extra shot of fresh air into the 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine is a Garrett T25 turbocharger system that raises the output of the 16-valve powerplant to an impressive 170 bhp and 160 lb.-ft.

The more powerful MP3 comes back in 2003 relabeled as the MazdaSpeed Protegé, wearing a performance nameplate that took the company to victory in the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans. Heeding the call for more power from enthusiasts, Mazda engineers, with assistance from Callaway Cars Inc., developed a turbocharger system for the car. of torque, the MP3 still accelerates at a snail's pace.

With only modest power and torque increases from the base Protegé, to 140 bhp and 142 lb.-ft.

However, it does lack the extra oomph needed to pull itself out of a corner quickly. In fact, the MP3 was included in our 'Great Grip!' June 2002 cover story, competing for best handling honors against the likes of the BMW M3, Corvette Z06, Porsche 911 and Ferrari 360 Modena.Īt the racetrack, the MP3's steering precision and cornering ability hold their own against more expensive sports cars. Engineers at Mazda transformed the value-conscious, front-wheel-drive compact Protegé 4-door runabout into a first-class, great-handling sports sedan. When the Mazda MP3 made its debut in 2001, it took the automotive enthusiasts' world by storm.