The Racing Harts roll on Bridgestone Potenza RE040 215/45ZR17 uni-directional high-performance tires.
For the MazdaSpeed Protegé, Racing Hart has developed an entirely new wheel, another exclusive 17x7-inch five-spoke design in alloy with Aluminum Super Silver finish. Japan's premier performance wheel manufacturer, Racing Hart, developed its first set of Mazda-exclusive alloy wheels for the Mazda MP3 in 2001. This sophisticated oil-flow-management system provides just the right amount of resistance at a wide variety of suspension motions and velocities. The twin-tube low-pressure design uses a multistage variable-aperture sandwich-valve system consisting of precision spring plates and angle-drilled piston ports. The special Tokico dampers on the 2003 MazdaSpeed Protegé have been designed to improve steering feedback and response, control excess chassis motion and keep the tires planted firmly on the road surface. The rear suspension boasts Racing Beat-tuned independent struts with Twin Trapezoidal Links (TTL), coil springs and larger stabilizer bar. The MazdaSpeed Protegé comes complete with Mazda- and Racing Beat-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 result is a sport compact sedan with even better handling and overall performance than its predecessor. As they did with the MP3, Mazda and Racing Beat focused their efforts on chassis refinement, suspension upgrades and a high-performance rear muffler. Racing Beat, a well-known tuner of Mazda vehicles for more than 30 years that has most recently created exciting performance and aftermarket products for the Protegé, MP3 and Miata, was asked by Mazda North American Operations' Research and Development team to lend its expertise in the creation of the new MazdaSpeed Protegé. Mazda also added a heavy-duty clutch disc and pressure plate to handle the increased horsepower from the turbocharging system. Delivering an estimated 170 horsepower solidly to the ground is a Tochigi Fuji Sangyo KK Super Limited-Slip Differential, assisted by larger 24mm driveshafts (versus 22mm for the standard Protegé). With Garrett technology on board, the vehicle gains increased acceleration without sacrificing overall efficiency. The turbocharger incorporates the latest in aerodynamic and ball-bearing technology. Pumping up the MazdaSpeed Protegé's heart rate is a Garrett T25 turbocharger system. to assist its engineers in taking the Mazda 2.0-liter DOHC I-4 engine to a much higher performance level.
The MazdaSpeed Protegé boasts an aggressive appearance and enhanced performance package, including an inter-cooled turbocharger, limited-slip differential, ultra low-profile tires, larger wheels, more powerful European-specification four-wheel disc brakes, and a 450-watt MP3 audio system by Kenwood.
MAZDASPEED PROTEGE CAR AND DRIVER SERIES
The new $21,000 second series ones are available in yellow, gray, blue and silver. The $20,500 first series was available in only two colors - orange and black. The second series gets new wheels, a new front bumper - the foglights replaced by air intakes - and a slightly restyled rear bumper with a larger exhaust tip and a different rear wing. MazdaSpeed is now offering a second limited series, dubbed the 2003.5 model, with minor changes. The first series of turbocharged MazdaSpeed Proteges, limited to 2,000 cars for North America, was sold during the fourth quarter of 2002. Few people get to enjoy this limited edition and its tiny-buttoned stereo. Other 4-cylinder cars make more power without a turbocharger. Limited numbers guarantees exclusivity. Numerous value-for-money features include an MP3 player. Superb handling rivals that of Subaru Impreza WRX.
0 kommentar(er)
