![]() ![]() Alter the character of the suspension a bit, too. That is, take what started as a good thing with the MP3 version of the car, and add 30 horsepower (from 140 hp to 170 hp). ![]() MazdaSpeed's first mission: Add about $5,000 worth of fangs to the fun little Protegé. Which brings us full circle, to the $19,980 MazdaSpeed Protegé and the resurrection of the MazdaSpeed brand, an essentially stillborn skunk works that has knocked off a few special-edition cars in the past but is now charged to be the company's speed-freak fixer, akin to what BMW does with its M Division, albeit for a decidedly rubber- rather than leather-soled audience. ![]() Subaru learned just how effective such guerilla tactics can be when sales of its WRX utterly changed the average Subaru aspirant from tweedy college professor types to their 25-year-old recently graduated male students. Also, if you're smart about it, as Mazda is, you don't make too many of your one-off hot cars-say, 2,500 a year per iteration. Interestingly, the latter may be the cheapest approach of all, at least in the case of Mazda, which already had endemic engineering know-how. Still, getting the buzz among young buyers these days requires either cute design (read VW), expensive marketing or excellent street cred. Golf and Mitsubishi Lancer, neither of which, in base trim, have much going for them once you get past the glam ad campaigns.Īnd the logic of a Mazda that starts by selling small, inexpensive cars to young buyers who can afford them-and eventually sells larger, plusher sedans like the excellent new 6i and 6s-makes eminent sense. , Dodge and Chevy, as well as expertly youth-aimed products, the And that competition includes the likes of Honda, Stack up the newest Protegé versus the competition in the same, $15,000 ballpark, and Mazda spanks all comers for handling and a high fun factor. And Mazda truly has the chops in this arena. We actually think a niche player like Mazda might grow fatter by doing what it seems to do best, which is to sell spirited, small cars that appeal to younger buyers who are generally on a tight budget. Torque-steer, wing on the back, inscrutable audio controls.īut Mazda cannot live by sporty cars alone, right? Well, maybe wrong. Superbly balanced handling, quick motor, ironed-out interior. (The new RX-8 may well live to be as influential, and there will be a reborn RX-7 down the line as well.) The cute Miata convertible is the best-selling sports car of all time, and the RX-7 was one of the best-loved sports cars in recent history. In the 1970s and 1980s, and BMW of late, being small doesn't mean you can't make a big impact. ![]() , by comparison, sold nearly 1.8 million cars (including Lexus) to American buyers in 2002.īut as we've learned from other, once small carmakers, like Anodized T6 6061 aluminum lower mounts for multilink suspension systems to lower un-sprung weight.Last year the Japanese firm that's controlled by Ford Motor-Ford owns 33% of Mazda-sold only 258,213 cars in the U.S.Powder coated steel lower brackets matching all factory brake line & ABS wire tabs, for ease of installation.Cold-bent springs made from high strength SAE9254 steel which keeps stable elastic modulus.Height adjustability is provided by the lower bracket which prevents the need to adjust the spring perch or preload, offering the maximum possible travel.5W damper oil ensures the best efficiency of shock-absorption and dampening control. 44mm linear characteristic internal piston provides maximum dampening response for ultimate performance while simultaneously giving a comfortable ride.High strength JIS G3445-STKM13C (DIN2393-ST44-2) carbon steel 52mm diameter seamless shock tube.24 levels of dampening adjustability combined with our high grade shock oil, not only do you feel the click in your fingers, you feel every dampening adjustment in the driver's seat.Adjustable T6 6061 front camber plates on all McPherson style applications.Mono-tube shock design, Increases shock oil capacity as well as displacement over twin tube designs for maximum performance.The Silver's NEOMAX coilovers are a monotube shock, independently height adjustable, with 24 levels of dampening adjustment, and come with an 18-month warranty. Silver's NEOMAX Coilovers are perfect for street driving, and still outperform most on the track. Silver's NEOMAX Coilover Kit | 1998-2004 Mazda 323 Protege (NM204) ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |