Mazda 3 delayed to 2005

[MSP Pro]

Just saw this on http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/new/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/23279.htm
Here's the relevant paragraph:

A redesigned Protege has reportedly been postponed from 2004 to the '05 model year. Renamed Mazda3, it will be an underskin sister of the next-generation Ford Focus and a new entry-level Volvo 40-Series. All share a clean-sheet unibody platform, various chassis components and electronic systems under Ford Motor Company's worldwide "C1" small-car program. Styling, features and performance will be matched to each nameplate's "brand values." Mazda3 apparently bows with carryover Protege powertrains per Ford's current cost-cutting program. A 4-door hatchback may join the wagon and notchback sedan down the road. A Mazda engineer recently put wheelbase at 103.9 inches, two inches longer than Protégé's. He also says Mazda3 will look much like the swoopy MX Sportif concept shown at the March 2003 Geneva Auto Salon.

My comments: Bigger, probably heavier, with carryover engines/powertrains. This is disappointing if you were waiting to see if the Mazda 3 would be a big improvement over the Protege. And it looks like it's been delayed to the 2005 model year. Makes me even happier with my MSP!

[charles]

I don't believe it...:wtf: :bs:

[VPower]

weird...

http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=5881

[Antoine]

A redesigned Protege has reportedly been postponed from 2004 to the '05 model year.

Reportedly...It seems like much about the Mazda3 is still unknown and even undecided at this point.

Check out this Autoweek article...(if it hasn't been posted already):

http://autoweek.com/search/search_display.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=carnews&content_code=09812839&Search_Type=STD&Search_ID=1101172&record=4

[charles]

I'm pretty sure that's a bunch of :bs:
Unless they make a MSP5! :cool:

[wongpres]

Consumer's Guide article does not have the most up to date information.

The Mazda3 will begin sales in Germany in October, Japan a couple of months earlier, and MazdaUSA is aiming for Nov-Dec. No indications from Mazda Canada but I suspect it'll be first quarter '04.

The Mazda3 will use the new global 4-cylinder engine family from Ford/Mazda. The engines for N. America will be a 2.0l that produces 150hp (albeit in Europe configuration) and a 2.3l that produces 160hp (same as the one in Mazda6). The chassis itself is shared with the next generation Ford Focus & Volvo S40. Suspension is MacPherson strut in the front with multi-link in the rear.

As you can see, the powertrains are most definitely not a carry-over from the current Protege/P5.

[ZoomZoomH]

yeah they are brand new engines, no longer the FS series

the 2.3L is the same engine in the Mazda6i, FYI

I think the 2.0L is a de-stroked version of the 2.3?

[slug420]

well that really sticks in my craw..........


/me braces for next 'limited run' of 389384 2004 MSPs


im reminded of a jerry seinfeld bit you may be familiar with, it goes something like "where do they get these names for cars? the ford LTD.....L T D...limited.......right.......what did they only make? 30 million of these???? yes, we are limited, limited to the number we CAN SELL"

:)

[wongpres]

The 2.0l is in the same family as the 2.3l and is also used in the Mazda6 (except N. America). However, the 2.0l does not have variable valve timing whereas the 2.3l does.

[insider]

This info is completly wrong. The veh is still on schedule.

The 2.0 and new 2.3 are not in the same family. The I4 is a completely new engine.

[wongpres]

Well, I don't work for Mazda so I'm not 100% sure, but from the MX Sportif press release, it sure seems like the new 2.0l in the Mazda3 is in the same family as the 2.3l (namely the MZR family):

From www.mazda.com/publicity/public/200302/0217ae.html

"The front-wheel drive MX Sportif is powered by a MZR 2.0-liter, inline four-cylinder engine, a member of Mazda's new-generation of engines. "

But, from my understanding, the MZR 2.0l does not have variable valve timing, whereas we all know the 2.3l does. And just to be clear, the MZR 2.0l I'm referring to is not the same as the 2.0l in the current Pro/P5.

insider: I think you work for Mazda right. Can you share with us any recent news about the Mazda3, like it's release date for the US, options, etc... Thanks, greatly appreciated.

[chuyler1]

All I know is that I love my P5!

[insider]

Here is a old post.

I just came from a Mazda 3 meeting. So here is what you will be getting

There will be a 4 and 5 door. The 4 door will have 2 engine options the 2.0 (148 hp) i model and the 2.3 (160hp) s model. The 5 door (wagon) will only get the 2.3. Lots of new cool options like nav system, tire-pressure moniters 17 inch wheels.

Should start seeing the car on the dlr lots around Nov/Dec.

[LinuxRacr]

Postponement is good news to me. The current Protege5's still does not look outdated at all.

[1sty]

I care of only one thing, will there be a different transmission?!!

[CruzinAltitude]

Originally posted by chuyler1
All I know is that I love my P5!

I often find myself in agreement with your statments. Once again, I agree.

[chuyler1]

:)

[FrigginGLI]

I'll agree too.

[Edison_Chen]

Is the Mazda 3 goin to be for 04 or for 05?

I heard the production of the current P5 will end i think end of this month..

[insider]

It will be a 04. On sale at the end of this year.

[slipangle]

hello everybody, this is a great site, just like MX6.com. So insider, you work for Mazda eh? I'm really torn on whether to get the p5 or to wait for the Mazda3. Have test driven the P5 and like the handling, but like everyone else says, more power would be good. So how is the Mazda3 supposed to handle? I know the power will be increased but what about handling? I will be autocrossing whatever car I get, so a great handling car is a must. And seriously, you said November eh? so what does that mean? mid 2004 in reality? and any new news on a mazdaspeed P5? Think I'll prefer that over the Mazda3.

[insider]

Slipangel,

The 3 will be out before the end of the year.

As far a how well it handles. As well if not better that the P5. Also don't hold your breath for a Mazdaspeed P5. The car goes away at the end of the year.

[1sty]

INsider, is there any news of the engine and tranny setup that will be used yet and the expected power potential. I assume this must all be nailed down since production will have to be starting shortly.

[insider]

I know I put it in this forum somewhere but I have no idea where so here is is.

2 engines for the 4 door. 2.0 rated at 148hp and a 2.3 rated at 160hp. the trans will remain the same. (sport shift 4 speed).

The wagon only gets the 2.3

The cars were bench marked of the 3 series BMW as far a driving dynamics. So that shound give you a idea as the haw we want the veh to handle.

[1sty]

What about the manual transmission?
The same?

[slipangle]

Insider, you used the word "wagon". Is it going to be more of a classic wagon shape or do you mean a 5-door hatch? An extended backend can be a detriment to handling, and is a concern for me. I have to say though, if the BMW 3-series was the benchmark, I would have liked to see RWD. :rolleyes: Or perhaps that's asking too much for under 20K, which I think is the price range yes?
Also seen pics of it on this website, will it be as tall as the Matrix? :'( Cause if so, I'm getting the P5 before it runs out, or wait till the 3 comes out and the price for the P5 gets slashed. :D
Last question is whether the 3 will have the roof spoiler or lip like the P5? that changes the way a wagon looks tremendously, don't you think?

[AbbyVonNormal]

DAMN thats ugly

[wongpres]

Originally posted by AbbyVonNormal
DAMN thats ugly

The rear of the car in that picture is completely un-representative - the camouflauge was purposely done like that so people can't see what the rear looks like. If you want to properly see the wagon's shape/profile, look at the MX Sportif.

The Mazda3 wagon will be like the current Pro5 and not a 'classic' wagon shape (Mazda's 'classic' wagon is the Mazda6 wagon).

[TURBO3WAGON]

That sucks! :mad:

I'm glad I bought my SPEED.

F O R D = failiure of research & development

FORD SUCKS, and will cause mazda to suck in the future...

(rant)

[JasonH]

I posted this a while ago, but most of you probably missed it so I'll post it again.

Here are some specs (note height for those afraid the 3 is a Matrix/Vibe clone):

MX Sportif Specifications
Overall Length - 4350mm
Overall Width - 1760mm
Overall Height - 1450mm
Wheelbase - 2640mm
Track, front/rear - 1535/1530mm

2003 Protege 5 Specifications
Overall Length - 4331mm
Overall Width - 1705mm
Overall Height - 1420mm
Wheelbase - 2610mm
Track, front/rear - 1465/1470mm

[kar_nut]

MX Sportif Specifications
Overall Length - 4350mm
Overall Width - 1760mm
Overall Height - 1450mm
Wheelbase - 2640mm
Track, front/rear - 1535/1530mm

Toyota Matrix:
Overall Length - 4351mm
Overall Width - 1775 mm
Overall Height - 1539mm

Difference in height: 89 mm/3.5 in

The Matrix is definitely taller, but I think it's the proportion of glass/sheetmetal that makes it look so tall.

[chuyler1]

I think its the ugly factor that makes it look tall personally.

[DrPhill]

if it aint broke dont fix it! why are they discontiuing the protege when its nearly perfect??? all it needs is the fs-ze jdm engine. awd wouldnt hurt either

[Dre]

Originally posted by TURBO3WAGON

F O R D = failiure of research & development

FORD SUCKS, and will cause mazda to suck in the future...



I was going through some old threads and noticed this post.

Turbo3Wagon, I'm just curious of what you think of the new Ford GT? ;)

[122 Vega]

that's wierd because ron Tonkin has a few for sale right now.

Britt

[BlueMP5Dave]

I just sat in one the other day here in Vegas it is a nice car.

[mp3moose]

old thread.

[RAAZ227]

i thought it was real untill I saw the date! :p

[taylor5]

Hey,

I was passing by my dealership here in Raleigh and they have like 12 of them on the lot. I pulled in and there they were....2004 Sedans and Sport Wagons(thats what I call the hatch). Rep comes out of the showroom and sees my P5 and says " you want to drive the new 3 hatch/wagon?" I said sure.

I immediately noticed it is about the same height as my P5. But it is a little longer and wider. The room inside seems a little more generous and it seems to be a higher quality assembly than my P5. When I started it, there was definitely a difference in the sound of that 2.3 compared to my "cold-noise afflicted" 2.0 P5(even after it has had the so-called fix-which did not fix it at all). It is a much nicer sound even when icy cold and during the whole test drive.

I did not want to admit liking it, but I did. It handles great, MUCH better ride quality(they got rid of the rice rocket feel over tar strips and bumps) and it is quieter. It is for the money, a lot more car. I felt like I was driving a much more expensive automobile!

The cargo area has these neat little cubby holes for small storage and the glove compartment is HUGE! It will hold a lap top and then some. I swear you could also put a six pack in there with your lap top (do not recommend that though). The gauges are very cool. They copied Lexus on that and they look really cool at night with the blue accents against the red glow. The steering wheel has more adjustments but the drivers seat lost one of its height adjustments compared to my P5. I still got relatively comfortable behind the wheel. There is now a blind spot with the new rear side window design that was not there with the P5 design.

Now, do I wanna buy it??...Yea maybe, and, if my insurance does not go up ski high. But I cannot help that side profile looking like a Pontiac Vibe. But it is definitely a very nice ride!

[Dre]

Originally posted by mp3moose
old thread.

Yup, and I brought it back :p