Hey I was just reading the most recent sport compact car and read the new article on the mazdaspeed protege, here an excerpt:

"Because of the Mazda's massive grip, mild manners and performance potential from its turbocharged engine, this car is our new benchmark for production car front-drive performance. Thats right, it has knocked the old integra type R off the mountain.
Fact is, the MazdaSpeed Protege is probably faster up our favorite mountain road than a Type R, which is the ultimate litmus test for usable speed. We know it's faster through the slalom. At 72 mph, it's the fastest production car we've tested. What's more, it's easily controlled."

So what do you all think of this quote from the article? Is our R's FINALLY falling off the sport compact pedestal or what?


[Modified by hooptie157, 5:13 AM 9/12/2002]

 

I'm impressed. We'll have to wait and see how they fare in the real world (i.e. relaiability). I love mazda, used to own one before my GSR. I'm glad to see them doing well. What's the price compared to a type R? Should have some nice aftermarket parts for this one... scary!

Also, to put things in perspective a bit. The Type R has been around NA since '97 and is no longer availible. Mazda's new Protege still isn't out or proven...


Ohlias

 

pricing should be under 20K maybe 19k or even 18.5k


[Modified by hooptie157, 5:31 AM 9/12/2002]

 

comparing turbo vs NA....

slap on a turbo on the dc2r and its a completely new story

 

yeah BUT the car is LESS than ours so if we put a turbo on our cars that puts us in a whole new realm of competitors out of its reach. We gotta start comparing price ranges here not engine parts. In it price range its doin pretty freaking good

 

Isn't the engine block the exact same as the NA Protege? For Mazda's sake, I hope they at least did their homework and reinforced that block a little, as opposed to just slapping a turbo on and calling it a day.

 

well you can slap a turbo on a stock miata block and abuse it for well in excess of 100K so it will probably be pretty reliable... is the mazdaspeed protege diff from the mazda protege like a type-r edition of the protoge?? that'd b awsome if they made a realtime integra production car custom dayglow orange bumpers ahhh

 

I guess it was bound to happen. Ruling for 7 years is a pretty good run though. Sad it wasnt beat by a cooler car. I cant see myself in a 4door..







[Modified by jond, 7:42 AM 9/12/2002]

 

What size wheels and tires is this thing rolling on?

Probably? Heh. Try again.

-Edit- Ok, just did some homework. 215/45/17 Potenza RE040

0-100 mph in 19.4. An R does that in under 18 seconds.


[Modified by BrewCityR, 4:48 AM 9/12/2002]

 

http://www.protegetech.com/protegetechframe.htm
http://www.protegetech.com/mazdaspeedprotege2.htm

17'' wheels on Bridgestone Potenza RE040 215/45ZR17

I wonder how the R would compaire if you put 215's on it...





[Modified by jond, 7:47 AM 9/12/2002]

 

I want to see Track applications.......................

Till I see an R get rolled by a Protege on track I will not be convinced that Mazda isn't putting money in SCC's pocket .. The Speedvision Protege's they run vs. the Realtime ITR's are "Modified: Major"..The engines don't even look the same as a stock N/A Protege. At least Realtime runs closer to stock with less modifications to the Intake Manifold, Cams, Head ex.

 

Wasn't the same thing said about the Nissan SE-R Spec V? It didn't prove to be true. I'll see it when I believe it. Long live the Type R ;-)

 

the engines LOOK different because they are Jap Spec engine from (uhhh) japan. They aren't even the one in the US factory spec cars

 

 

Brute power has nothing to do with HANDLING. Of course, you know this. I don't doubt that the ITR is overall quicker, but SCC, as well as R&T, are suggesting that the Protoge outhandles the ITR. This could mean that on courses like Waterford Hills Raceway in Michigan the Protoge could turn quicker times.

 

long live the Type R

 

So what's your point? That they have to go and get an engine from another country to compete? You know how anemic the ITR engine is in the US, compared to the JDM counterpart? You know that the Realtime ITR runs a restrictor plate to even up the field? Even Pierre Kleinubing has a thick lead plate for weight penalty to even up the field, and he still dominates the series.

And you really have to be careful when you read magazine test articles. I'm not quick to say that it might not be true, but you just don't pick up a "media source" and quickly take it's word as gospel. Until I see it perform in the real world with real world numbers, then and only then will I agree to their claims.

 

from what I read in another mag they had Callaway develop the turbo setup. Its only 5.2 lbs of boost and good for 170 hp at the fly. Its a Pea shooter t-2small... they are using.

BTW putting a turbo on an ITR would probably make it handle like ****. Trust me I had one on my civic (b16a) and I could barely turn on boost without the car going all over the place

 

I like the MP3. But the fact is, its turbo. The R may cost more from the factory, but its also an "Acura", which in the US, is a PREMIUM Luxury car "brand". That alone automatically raises the price so of course its going to cost more. Its hard to compare the two cars, you have to look at each for what they are worth. Stock for stock, the MP3 cant compare, plain and simple.

Also, isnt the Type R "restricted" and not able to run at even its full factory potential, let alone full aftermarket performance potential? I heard somewhere that the R runs a SMALLER THAN FACTORY Throttle body, not sure if thats valid or not. Either way it should be interesting next season when the RSX steals the show back for Honda. ONE

 

I would suggest doing more research into the motor mazda is using.. and it's previous applications.

 

The Mazdaspeed looks dope and sounds very impressive.

 

wow! cool! You've done comparisons on multiple tracks with the same wheel/tire setup yourself? Neat!

I said this for the SE-R Spec V when you guys got your panties in a bunch and I'll say it again. Before saying a vehicle can't compare to the famous hype-r, wait until some comprehensive tests have been completed.. hell AT LEAST wait for the cars release!

-Dave, who didn't like the SE-R even but does like the PR

 

Mazda = Ford?

J/K

 

Not true.........Look at the Intake manifolds on the Protege race cars. CUSTOM!

Look at Real Time. STOCK.

SO, engines look different......I bet they are different then JDM!

 

the mazdaspeed protege will not be cheap. it's not going to retail for under 20k. not by a long shot.

not only scc, but many car mags have always boasted about the handling of the protege. since it's redesign they've always said "if it just had some more power".
there's nothing wrong with some healthy competition from mazda.