This presents a solid platform for an improved suspension system with the rear modified for better road holding and comfort. The 1995 Protege’s body is 1.9 times more rigid in bending than its predecessor, and is 1.5 times more rigid in torsion. Via extensive computer modeling and simulations, Mazda has created a body that for its weight has the highest bending and torsional rigidity of any vehicle in its class. One of the more concerted efforts on the part of all automobile manufacturers to day is to make the body stiffer. And the cowl point has been moved forward to add more room to the front of the cabin. An instrument panel that features a clean design for easy functionality has been sculpted for forward spaciousness. In addition to dual air bags, interior trim pieces were designed to be concave wherever possible.Īs an example, the concave inside panels of the doors add to the interior width. The Protege’s interior designers had their computers in high gear in creating maximum room and safety. It adds front and rear seat headroom, gives rear passengers more room and improves the aerodynamics of the sedan. The extended, curved roof line serves a number of purposes. QThe styling obviously is aerodynamically driven, with a low, sloping nose, steeply raked windshield, arching roof line and short rear deck. It encompasses all aspects of styling, interior spaciousness, packaging, engine compartment, vehicle safety and the functionality of space within the vehicle. The lightest DX with the 1.8’s 122 horsepower hooked to a manual five-speed would be an interesting set of wheels, especially since this motor is in Mazda’s Miata sports car.Ī key element for the Protege is a process called OptiSpace Design, which goes a step further than the highly touted cabin-forward design. While these engines don’t exactly fall in the muscle-car category, power output is enhanced by dual overhead cams and four valves per cylinder in both motors.įor reasons known mainly to Mazda, the 1.8 isn’t available in a DX or LX, and that’s unfortunate. A larger 1.8-liter (112-cubic-inch) engine powers the ES. One is a 1.5- liter (91-cubic-inch) four-cylinder available in DX and LX sedans. The cars are fairy light, ranging from 2,385 pounds for a DX with a manual five-speed to 2,617 pounds for an upscale ES with an automatic transmission. The engineering in the three models offered - DX, LX and ES - is state of the art. “All you have to do is look at it to see that you get more bang for the buck.” “This definitely is a sleeper in the automobile industry,” said Ron Vanags, general sales manager for Speedway Volkswagen-Mazda. It doesn’t attempt to make comparisons to the Millenia’s larger specifications, but to a design philosophy that produces quality, engineered innovation and styling distinctiveness. Mazda tends to identify its Protege with its luxury Mazda Millenia. ![]() The company also includes a host of items normally found in more expensive midsized vehicles. ![]() The Protege is classified as a compact sedan, but Mazda says it features interior volume equal to the much- larger Infiniti Q45. Mazda Motors of America must have been doing something right for its past 25 years on the American market.įor 1995, the Japanese automaker has redesigned and re-engineered its Protege, the company’s best-selling model in the United States.
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