Its lines are clearly more elegant than the previous 323 sedan's, and the finish is of a higher quality.
1999 Mazda Protegé ES Is Better, Not Bigger. But we did question its styling, wondering if so thoroughly improved a car should look so much like its predecessor and whether buyers in this category still appreciate the boy-racer look of aero tack-ons. We liked the Escort GT, finding it quick, lively, responsive, and modern. Ford and Mazda jointly developed the Escort/323 platform, and Mazda supplies the sixteen-valve 1.8 used in both the Escort GT and the LX version of the Protegé. We previously drove this engine-chassis combination when we tested the new Escort GT ( C/D, August 1990). All for just a few dollars per month more than basic transportation. All of which has helped make the Protegé what it is: a slick and tidy four-door sedan that runs almost like crazy, welcomes four grown people, and looks shamelessly like a Mercedes 190. The goal was to recast its public image, from a maker of low-priced cars to a premium-quality specialty manufacturer. Rather than basking in its Miata and MPV successes, Mazda was moving and shaking, restructuring itself for more efficient decision-making. Mazda introduced the Protegé late in the summer of 1989, the same time the concept of "kansei engineering" and the tag line "It Just Feels Right" appeared in the company's advertising. Today, the high performance version is only offered in this configuration.From the February 1991 issue of Car and Driver. Mazda abandoned the wagon look in it’s new design for the 5 door hatchback. By this time Mazda seemed to be moving away from the Protege name, as the replacements for the 5 were simply called the “3”. It’s highly tuned 2.0 L turbo engine made 170 hp and ran on premium gasoline. In saving the best for last, a second limited edition Mazdaspeed MP3 was introduced in 03, this time using the station wagon body style of the 5. Mazda’s popular “Zoom Zoom” campaign kicked off with this car and is still in use as of 2009. Inside, it was well equipped with tasteful fabrics and plastic surfaces accented with brush aluminum and carbon fiber accents. The cars light weight and independent suspension contributed to it’s reputation as being a real driver’s car, despite being modestly priced. #Protege wagon manual
The modest power was put to good use with the available 5 speed manual transmission. It was offered in bright colors, including yellow.Īll 5’s were powered by a 2.0 L DOHC 16 valve 4 cylinder engine with 130 hp. Sharing it’s chassis with the regular sedan, the new 5 door wagon had a sporting profile, enhanced by tasteful aerodynamics and 16 inch five star rims. The one off MP3 was followed by a new model that combined many of the sporting attributes of the limited edition car with the practicality of the station wagon form factor. The car was further distinguished from regular Protege’s by it’s aero kit and bright color options. The MP3, called such due to it’s MP3 playing Kenwood stereo, was a tuned 1.8 L putting out 140 hp with a Racing Heart tuned suspension, 17 in wheels and larger 4 wheel disc breaks. In 2001 Mazda sport tuning division Mazdaspeed, introduced a short lived variation called the Mazdaspeed MP3. The Protege was always a capable and dependable small car, if not always the most exciting.
One of my favorites currently is the Mazda 3, a car that evolved from the exciting, but short lived Protege5 “sportwagon”. It’s built so many quirky, fun to drive cars over the years and continues to do so.
Lately it seems that I’ve been on a Mazda rush.
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