P5er

Next gen Protege will finally have the same name all over the world, Mazda 3!
So 626 will be replaced with Mazda 6, and world known Mazda 323 will be replaced by Mazda 3, it makes so much more sence than our American Protege vs. 323.
I never liked the name Protege it does not fit to the character of Mazda. It sounds like Toyota!!! Mazda 3 sounds a lot better.
Mazda 3 will be build on Focus MKII suspension, also shared with Volvo V50 and next gen.Focus.
Volvo will use Ford Focus Corsworth design to build it's M3 fighting machine (AWD, 300hp all on Focus Focus Corsworth AWD suspension!!!)
Mazda 3 sounds very promising and it's new (Focus MKII)platform will be one of the best in it's class worldwide (if not the best).
Engines will be all new as well.
What a future ahead!!!

P5er

Sure, we got different name for it than the rest of the world.
I can't wait to hear more details about it.
What body styles?
What engine choices (any turbo)?
What tranny choices (auto and manual)?
Interior layout design?
Weight of the car?
and so on.

obender66

Some proof please?Link or scan? I was drunk yesterday and saw in my drunken dream that in 2 month Pr5 will be with Subary WRX engine and have 6 wheel drive. Did I say it will have Cosworth engine in the hatch too? And Mazda will have Type R special edition too-with VTEC and 9000 redline. How bout that, eh?
Alex

<<MP5DuCe>>

do0d im so there .... when does it come out ... ?
blinG BLinG!

StuttersC

Here we go again!!

P5er

Sure, Biker16 is really quick to share results of his constant investigations and news hunting. He did earn my and others respect for his great knowledge and pasion shown on focaljet.
I've been on focaljet alot (almost 1000 posts) ,I hope that our Protege Forum can get even close to the level that focaljet presents. (This remark should be taken as motivation to us here)
One thing that I really like about it is the great objectivism and critisizm when needed (Ford took a lot of it from me and many other focaljeters including biker16)
So if you could bring this news quicker than Biker16 from focaljet, I would not have to quote it.
I only quoted it here to keep us informed and I hope all of us will do the same when any news from any source regarding Mazda 3 will be caught.
Not to be rude, but you should reallize that Mazda and Ford are a family now and trying to separate it will not be very easy.
Next generation Protege may be some very exciting car, I hope that anyone on this forum will search for any Pics or more details about it.
My personal opinion; Mazda 3 sounds a lot better than Protege.
Protege does not fit right to a small to mid sized car with great handling ,youthful personality and price tag of $12K. Protege sounds more like some big lazy, typically american sofa on wheels sedan with heated seats and $35K price tag.

StuttersC

It will be interesting to see what the next Protege will be. Personally I am looking foward to its introduction. Particularly if there is a turbo version.

I would have to agree however, that becuase the name Protege is established (12 years of strong running cars), that Mazda would be less likely to change the name to fall in line with the current Mazda 6. But, I guess we shall see.

As for focaljet and here, I don't know, I only come here because I started coming here to do research for something I'm working on and now hang around because I've found there is a lot of useful info. Plus, I own an MP3, so what other board would I go to??

Oh well...This is just my opinion and in no way reflects the opinion of anyone else. And resemblance to someone elses opinion is purely coincedence.

P5er

-I've never said that Biker16 may know things better than anyone on this board.
Biker16 is usualy first with the news, time after time.
-Did not Biker show you enough evidence that Focus IRS rear design is different than the one on 929 Serenia?
-My fault I should have quote the article that Biker16 did quote on focaljet, sorry you are right there.
-Did I bring in that news to "stir the pot" or to let all of us here know the exciting news about Mazda3?
-Biker16 nor I where never saying that it's all Ford, new and long awaited line of engines (DuratecHE) as we all know is designed in co-operation between Mazda and Ford but Mazda did a lot more than Ford in it's design.
-I'm not a Ford person, not at all. I like good cars and sharp designs and Focus is one of those just as P5 is.
And it makes me so much more enthisiastic when those good cars don't cost the fortune (P5,ZX3)
-Somehow I've never heard you critisizing Mazda for anything, do you think that Mazda does not make mistakes or is just flawless in your opinion? There is not perfect car out there.
-It is a fact that Focaljet is a one great car enthusiast forum, build around world wide popular Ford Focus, but it is not biased in any way like some other forums are (Vortex?) and it makes it even more unique.
Oh boy what a stew again!

P5er

Not to be offensive, but you sound like Mazda maniac who thinks that world of cars is turning around Mazda.
No it's not.
Be more objective is something I'm trying to tell you from very begining.
Focus is a much more modern design than Protege in many ways and it's a fact that you have to swallow, only bad thing about Focus is that it's build by Ford N.A. with truck building slopiness and lack of attention to detail that very modern car like that deserves.
If you want to know Peugeot was closer to Focus design than 929Serenia with it's multi-link rear design. Focus finished off and improved what Mazda attempted and clearly took this design to the next level. Mazda's design was more simple and not nearly as unique. Does it really matter who, what matters the most too me is that we are getting it in Mazda3/6!!!
But also I simply can't allow you to spread the news that it's all Mazda and Ford just copied it and now Ford is taking the credit for it.
That's not true.
And new Duratec engines are just as much innovative and exciting to wait for. This time Mazda did a great job!
Let's move on to the next topic.
Sincerly Karl.

StuttersC

That's interesting that the Focus is a modern design, but if it works why change it??

The Protege has done very well in racing both rally and street. The only racing I've seen the Focus in is rally where it has done ok...

I'm not saying th automotive world revolves around Mazda, but personally the new Mazda Protege is going to be more Mazda designed suspension than Ford from what I understand. Even though it is the new Ford/Mazda/Volvo platform...

P5er

It looks to me that suspension on Mazda3 will be 80% Ford Focus MKII suspension and remaining 20% will be Mazda's slight changes if any.
Well can some of you understand that it will be OK if Mazda will use Ford's platform. That platform will be a lot better than the current platforms on Protege and Focus. And get over it Mazda will use Ford's platform. Don't worry Ford will use mostly Mazda's designed engines.
Ford Europe does have great and very potent car designers, some of thier latest cars are really great.(Mondeo, Focus, new-Fiesta)
While our Taurus, Crown Vic and pre-historic Escort are still alive!!!
Ford NA should learn a lot from Ford Europe, Mazda and Volvo in many aspects of car building.

tresdos3

has anyone seen this 1500hp focus


1500hp ford focus

Damn!...that sort of makes it easier to swallow that Mazda is owned by Ford

rowan

That car is no more a Focus than, well, nevermind I can't come up with anything ...
That is to say that the only thing focus-like about it is the styling of the body, and the logo.

Not exactly the kind of engineering achievement that gives me confidence in the Focus platform when they have to stick the body on top of a rear wheel drive monster!