I often wonder why we don't have the FS-ZE. My guess would be cost. I mean our cars are built in Japan, I assume in the same factory as the Sport 20, so the facilities are there. Why doesn't Mazda offer all the hp they can? Is it an emissions thing? Gas milage? I know there are a few people on this forum who work for Mazda, maybe they can offer some insight.

By the way, I'm not complaining, I think my P5 has plenty of Zip, but more power never hurts. Unless you're a Republican.

 

protege's only cost like 7 grand CAD to make LOL

 

I think it has something do do with our crap gas here also.

 

Funny how when companies 'tune' their cars to U.S. specifications they often ruin what we liked about the car in the first place.

People might not be so inclined to bitch about the noise if they got some more power...but then again

"It doesn't have VTEC?"

 

i totaly agree... and whats wrong with being a republican.....

 

Doesn't the JDM engine require high-octane fuel, and have far worse emissions and economy than the US spec?

Sounds like a combo of these things.

First, US regulations require an auto manufacturer to have a certain MPG average across the product line. So the Protege, being a ULEV, helps to bring the average economy of Mazda's cars up, and also helps to qualify the company for some federal tax incetives and other financial bonuses.

And - Americans perceive the Protege as an economy car, which it is. How the hell could Mazda ever consider selling an economy car that requires premium fuel? Kinda defeats the "economy" designation, doesn't it?

Also - a more powerful Protege, especially at comparable prices, would probably cut deeply into sales of other Mazda cars, the 4-cyl Mazda6 especially.

Since cars take a number of years from concept to market, and the Protege has been around quite a while (including the P5, as the Familia and such), the introduction of the P5 and continuation of 3rd gen Proteges in North America was made with the full knowledge that the 6 would be sent here in 2 years. Mazda certainly thinks of the Protege as something of a brand lead-in - to get people to buy a Mazda (or just start looking at them), but doesn't want it to cut into sales of future models - why pay $5k more for a 6 when you can have the same power in a Pro?

There is so much psychology and market analysis done within the auto industry - Mazda did not leave us this little 130HP motor without considering all the consequences first - it was done for a reason - whether or net we as consumers fully understand it.

~HH

 

It's funny you said they "sent" the mazda6 here. When buying my Protege I saw that while my car was built in Japan, the 6 was built down the road in River Rouge, Michigan. any closer and it would have been built in Dearborn, Ford Motor Companies HQ.

While the 6 looks like a great ride, I'm under the assumption that the Atenza is the real deal

 

my bad

they are both downriver and both have ford plants, i get em confused

 

At least y'all aren't stuck with a 1.6L . Be happy. I'll be so glad to have a 2.0L.

 

I agree with you for the most part, however I don't think Mazda was that concerned about loosing potential buyers of the newer 4cyl. 6i. The 6 is in a completely different class than the Protege, and if the Protege had 170hp with an FS-ZE it would be more in the "Sport" compact segment, and still not having anything to do in the mid sized class. Buyers would be interested in cars of different manufacturers in the same market, I would think. Meaning potential buyers of a US Sport 20 S-wagon would be comparing prices to with a SVT focus or Civic SI probably before the 4cyl 6i. Same for the 6. Buyers would check power and price of Accord and Altima base prices before a smaller similar powered Compact.

Also it could be a matter of the FS-DE's torque deleivery. the FS-DE delivers slightly more torque a little earlier than the ZE. Simaler to the E36 M3's, we got a much torque'ier inline 6 with "only' 240hp compared to Europe's less low end grunt 333hp inline 6...This accompanyied with the mentioned emissions regulations and bonuses might have all had something to do with it...

 

It's like the idea that anyone would buy a small car because they LIKE small cars is so unheard of to American dealers. I would take a more powerfull Protegé over a 6 anyday. I like small nimble cars. The 6 is SO yenta.

 

I totally agree! The americans figured that out back in the 60's and early 70's. Small car + powerful engine = good times! That's what made the original mustang so great (not to mention several chrysler products). Of course, small is a relative term. There is definitely hope, however, as more and more automakers have released small, powerful cars lately. I'm looking forward to the release of the Mazdaspeed RX-8. If it's good enough, I might just trade in the P5. Of course, that probably won't be for at least 2 to 3 years.