1999 Mazda Protégé...Continued

While Mazda has had its brilliant successes -- notably the Miata and the RX7) -- the bulk of their innovative products have been overlooked by the buyers. They were one of the first Japanese companies to make good use of turbocharging; they pioneered (and stuck with) the Wankel engine; and they applied their "Kansai engineering" to all their products. This oneness of design and function continues to be reflected in their newer models.

This version uses input from both Japanese, European and U.S. design and development facilities, and most features will be used worldwide. The chassis utilizes a stronger and stiffer Triple-H construction to enhance ride and safety. Yet, through careful attention to componentry, the car is even lighter than before.

There are two engines, and the new 1.6-liter has enough power to satisfy all but the most power hungry. True, the larger 1.8-liter engine in the ES is much better with the automatic transmissions, but there is not the disparity between engines that most models have.

Anti-lock brakes were standard on previous ES models, but Mazda economizing has changed them to options.

The Protégé is important to Mazda, as it is their bread-and-butter car. Ford is getting constant feedback since the current Escort is based on a Prot̉g̉ platform. That is be a great benefit for both companies since Ford is getting heavy competition in this segment and Mazda desperately needs the revenue.