3 April 2002: A turbocharged MazdaSpeed Protegé (323 in Europe) will be introduced to the US market in the fourth quarter of 2002. This is the first use of the MazdaSpeed name on a street-legal Mazda in North America.

The car's 2.0-litre four-cylinder powerplant is fitted with a Garrett T25 turbocharger, high-performance air-to-air intercooler, and Tochigi Fuji Sangyo KK Super limited-slip differential. Mazda also added a heavy-duty clutch disc and pressure plate to handle the increased horsepower from the turbocharging system, expected to output 170 horses.

The chassis has been tuned with specially engineered front MacPherson struts, a strut tower brace, higher rate coil springs, re-valved Tokico dampers, and larger-diameter stabilizer bar bracket and bushings. The rear suspension boasts Racing Beat-tuned independent struts with Twin Trapezoidal Links (TTL), coil springs, and larger stabilizer bar. At each corner hangs an exclusive 17x7-inch five-spoke Racing Harts wheel shod with Bridgestone Potenza RE040 215/45ZR17 high-performance tires.

Inside, the MazdaSpeed Protegé features drilled aluminum foot pedals with rubber inserts, silver-faced analog dials, suede-like seat bolsters, and leather-wrapped NARDI steering wheel with color-keyed stitching.Output will be limited to just 2000 vehicles for the US and Canada.

And some people think the Mazda 323 is simply a 'nice family car'?

©2002irishcar.com