2003 Mazda MX Sportif Concept

2003 Mazda MX Sportif Concept - The Future Looks Fun

While nowhere near as overwhelming as Detroit, the New York Auto Show is considered one of the major stages for global production and concept vehicle introductions. That's why I try and make it each year, not to mention its one of my favorite cities to visit.

It was in Manhattans Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, located on 11th Avenue between 34th and 39th, toward the end of the last day of press events, that Mazda unveiled its new concept. I was beginning to tire, as were most of my colleagues, when we crowded around an attractive display, a podium at one end and a two-box vehicle under a simple white sheet at the other. I turned to one of the journalists and he remarked, "Oh not another crossover shoebox that flips, flops and folds into 27 different versions of a car no one wants." I couldnt agree more.

Fortunately it was a ploy by Mazda to show what the company, known for sporty alternatives in mainstream categories, would not build. The sheet never came off the vehicle, or mockup of a vehicle underneath, but the MX Sportif, previously shown in Geneva to European media, drove out from behind a door at center stage.

The elemental humor that went along with the introduction was greatly appreciated, but not as much as the attractive little car that debuted. The MX Sportif is for all intents and purposes a mildly disguised next-generation Protegé5. Will they still call it a Protegé by the time it hits dealerships across the country? Most likely not. Despite the strong brand equity in the Protegé nameplate, the company is said to be following the lead of their highly successful Mazda6, that recently replaced the 626, with a Mazda3 to replace the Protegé and most likely, Mazda5 for the Protegé5.

But if the Japanese Ford division is about to upset the applecart it might as well do it with a car as enticing as the MX Sportif. Not only does it look sensational, pulling all the right design cues from the sexy Mazda6, but it is packaged perfectly for the up and coming clientele its aimed at.

With room enough for five, college students with friends and young families alike will find refuge in Mazdas little runabout, but good luck finding cheap student car insurance. The MX sports an upscale interior, even more so than the current Protegé - one of the best in its compact class.

Its design is simple and straight forward, exuding an open, spacious ambience. Covering the center stack and other key areas is a high-gloss piano-black finish, complimented by thin red pinstripes. While the black enamel look is highly original for a car, popular in Japan for everything from chop sticks to decorative knick knacks, its also extremely classy for the compact category. The center stack interface itself is comprised of many of the key elements of the Mazda6, including the horizontal LED information display at top and cool opaque plastic surrounds that wrap around the large HVAC knobs near the bottom.

Mazdas latest concept also sports bright blue cloth seat insets and door panels, a colorful compliment to the otherwise black and silver interior. The seats themselves look terrific and are wonderfully supportive, but its not clear if a production version will receive anything closely resembling them.

Its safe to say that the next Mazda compact will offer more power from its base engine package. Currently the 103-hp 1.6-L 4-cylinder with 106 lb-ft of torque, standard in the Protegé SE, is hardly acceptable when its competitors, even Hyundai and Suzuki are in the 140 horsepower range. The optional 130-hp 2.0-L engine with 135 lb-ft of torque is only passable. The estimated 150-hp, 140 lb-ft of torque 2.0-L I-4 in the MX Sportif is much more palatable, living up to Mazdas sporting image and worthy of the fine chassis the company is known for producing.

The MZR engine in the MX is a new-generation powerplant, boasting a reversed intake-exhaust layout (with the exhaust at the rear), a variable intake system (VIS), tumble swirl control valve (TSCV) and high-flow port head. The technologies fatten the torque curve, improving performance while simultaneously reducing emissions. Mazda is targeting a PZEV (partial zero emission vehicle) standard in the U.S. A short-throw 5-speed manual transmission drives the front wheels on the concept, while an automatic with optional manual mode will no doubt be offered when a production version becomes reality.

Meaty performance rubber wrapped around substantial 5-spoke 18-inch alloy rims should provide the necessary grip to scoot the MX around corners at least as effortlessly as the current Protegé5. The new car uses a MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear setup, much more advanced than the norm in the compact class. The cars rigid construction will also help it to handle with precision, while exorcising annoying squeaks and rattles.

Large-diameter disc brakes can be found at all for corners, with ABS and brake assist (BA). Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), one of the better traction and yaw control systems available, makes the MX even more stable in all weather conditions. More passive safety features include dual stage front airbags, side curtain and seat mounted front side airbags.

While a few disgruntled media types were outwardly disappointed Mazda didnt announce the prototype MX Sportif as the production Mazda3 during the show, most were just happy to see this breath of fresh air up close and personal. It will be a formidable player in the compact segment when available, building on the success the brand has been having with the Protegé series and new Mazda6.