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Mazda Speeds Things Up
MAZDA SPEEDS THINGS UP
The 2003 Mazdaspeed Protégé could be the first sign of things to come. The
170-horsepower version of the automaker's mainstream subcompact revives
the Mazdaspeed logo, which once festooned an array of high-performance
Mazda vehicles. And it "highlights where the brand is going," suggests
Mark Fields, the Hiroshima-based CEO of Mazda Motor Co. Fields says the
automaker is still trying to decide how many of its products will get
performance editions. Indeed, there's still an internal debate underway
over whether to expand the use of the Mazdaspeed name, but "the
performance orientation," adds Fields, "is our future."
The Mazdaspeed Protégé features a variety of enhancements, including a
stiffened chassis, oversized brakes, a short-throw, five-speed stick and a
limited-slip differential. But the heart of the car is its 170-horsepower,
2.0-liter, 16-valve in-line four. Pumping up the pony count is a Garrett
turbocharger engineered for the package by Callaway Cars. Calloway has,
over the years, earned a reputation for beefing up a variety of Detroit
cars, such as the tire-spinning Callaway Corvette. Company founder Reeves
Callaway said he hopes to work on other Mazda products, but the firm has
also begun talks with General Motors, he revealed. In Australia, Callaway
created the performance engine package used in the limited edition Holden
Commodore GTS. With GM importing the Holden Monaro as the next Pontiac
GTO, Callaway is hoping it will be able to muscle in on that project as
well.
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