The 2000 Mazda Proteg

While much of the compact sedan segment of the market offers up the "same old, same old" styling and amenities, the 2000 Mazda Proteg sedan breaks away from the herd with its crisp, Europeaninspired styling, responsive handling and advanced "Triple-H" construction. The first thing buyers of the Mazda Proteg will appreciate is the creased, European-inspired styling - it gives the car a custom-tailored look that is unexpected in the normally "off-the-shelf" compact sedan class. The Proteg looks as if it belongs in a more expensive class - from its jewel-like free-surface reflectors and chrome-accented grille all the way to the body-coloured bumpers.

2000 Proteg Safety

Features Beneath its stylish skin is Mazda's advanced "Triple-H" construction. The first "H" consists of the B-pillar, roof rail and side sill. The second "H" is comprised of the roof rails and roof crossmember and the third "H" consists of the side sills and No. 3 crossmember. This combination of reinforced and gusseted frames create an integral safety cage that protects the occupants of the Proteg in the event of a side impact or rollover. The Proteg's safety story goes well beyond its "Triple-H" construction, however. The Proteg also features side-impact door beams and a catch pin on the rear door that prevents the door from intruding into the cabin in a side impact. A reinforced rear bumper combined with front and rear crumple zones absorb impacts before they reach the cabin. Dual depowered air bags are standard, as are three-point seatbelts for all five seating positions. Three child seat anchor brackets, located behind the rear seat, are factory installed. A three-channel ABS system, with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), is available as an option on SE and LX models. EBD maximizes braking force by automatically controlling brake distribution between front and rear wheels according to the number of passengers, road conditions and vehicle speed.

2000 Proteg Interior Design

The Mazda Proteg has won numerous awards for its spacious interior, developed through a design process known as OptiSpace. For example, the door panels are scooped out to provide extra elbow room, and the lower portion of the instrument panel is slightly concave for added knee room. As a result, the Proteg boasts an interior volume of 92.6 cu. ft. and 12.9 cu. ft. of trunk space. Inside the Proteg, the driver is greeted by a cleanly styled instrument panel. The gauges are grouped beneath a deep hood for improved visibility. This year, a tachometer is standard on both SE and LX models. The centre stack houses the radio and ventilation controls within easy reach. The seats of the Proteg are designed for long-term comfort and support. The driver's seat on the LX model features a mechanism that raises the height of the seat and adjusts the angle of the bottom cushion, making it easier for drivers of all sizes to make themselves comfortable behind the wheel. The steering wheel itself has a thick, substantial feeling rim, giving the driver a better sense of control. The rear seat on SE and LX Protegs is split 60/40, with both sides able to fold down to accommodate long or oversized cargo. There are numerous convenient storage compartments within the interior, including a convenient storage pocket to the left of the driver.

2000 Proteg Trim Levels

Three trim levels are available on the 2000 Mazda Proteg - DX, SE, and LX. Both the DX and SE models come equipped with a 105-horsepower 1.6 litre DOHC four-cylinder engine, while the top-of-the-line LX comes with a 122-horsepower 1.8 DOHC four-cylinder engine. Every Proteg model comes with a long list of standard features, including power rack-and-pinion steering, power front disc and rear drum brakes, front and rear stabilizer bars, rear seat heater ducts, body-colour bumpers, chrome-plated interior door handles, intermittent wipers, fold-down rear seatback, tilt steering, low fuel and low windshield washer fluid warning lamps, adjustable front seat shoulder belt anchors and factory installed child seat anchors for the rear seat. The SE model adds a tachomter, an AM/FM ETR CD player with four speakers and clock, 60/40 split fold-down rear seatback with integrated headrests, and trunk light. In addition to all of the features on the SE model the top-of-the-line LX models includes as standard equipment the 122-horsepower 1.8 litre DOHC engine; upgraded upholstery; power operated outside mirrors, power windows with driver's side "one-touch down" feature; power door locks with central locking feature; height adjustable driver's seat and cruise control and colour-keyed door handles and side moldings. Several options are offered for the 2000 Proteg, including air conditioning, an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission and, on SE and LX models, anti-lock brakes. This year the Proteg Touring Edition includes 15-inch alloy wheels, 195/55R15 all-season radial tires, anti-lock brakes, power glass moonroof with map lights and rear spoiler.

2000 Proteg Suspension

The 2000 Mazda Proteg uses a proven MacPherson independent front suspension and Mazda's patented Twin-Trapezoidal Link rear suspension featuring standard front and rear anti-roll bars to reduce body roll during cornering. In fact, the Proteg rolls only two degrees in 0.5 g cornering - a level of roll resistance normally found only in sports cars. In addition, the shock absorbers use ultra-low-speed valves, which allow the chassis to absorb road inputs more smoothly for a stable comfortable ride without compromising handling. Steering on the 2000 Proteg is by rack-and-pinion with variable power assist. This provides a balance between low-speed maneuvering and exceptional feel and response at highway speeds. Braking is by power-assisted front disc and rear drums. In addition to being fun to drive the 2000 Proteg is economical as well. Fuel economy is rated at 8.5L/100 km city and 6.7L/100 km highway for the 1.6-litre and 8.9L/100 km city and 6.7L/100 km highway for the 1.8-litre with the five-speed manual transmission.

Roadside Assistance
Included among the standard features of the 2000 Proteg, and all other Mazda vehicles as well, is a three year roadside assistance program. Proteg customers can feel secure knowing that wherever they travel throughout North America should the need arise they can obtain towing, winching, battery boosting, emergency fuel delivery, tire changing services. They will even get help if locked out of the vehicle. In addition, a travel planning service encompassing route planning, travel tips, driving information and points of interest are part of Mazda's roadside assistance program. The program even includes emergency travel expense reimbursement in certain situations.

Warranty
The 2000 Mazda Proteg is covered by a 3 year or 80,000 km vehicle warranty that covers every part on the vehicle except those subject to normal wear. Additional warranties cover powertrain and safety restraint components for a period of 5 years or 100,000 km, body sheet metal perforation for 5 years with unlimited kilometrage and selected emission control components for a period of 8 years or 128,000 km.

2000 Mazda Proteg Specifications

Engine Drivetrain Electrical System Chassis Capacity External Dimensions Internal Dimensions Fuel Economy Performance Data

ENGINE
DX/SE Type Valve gear Displacement Bore and Stroke Compression Ratio Horsepower SAE net Torque, SAE net lb. -ft. Fuel System Recommended Fuel 1.6L Inline 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve 1597cc 78mm x 83.6mm 9.0:1 105 @ 5500 rpm 107 @ 4000 rpm Electronic Fuel Injection Regular (Unleaded) Back to top LX 1.8L Inline 4-cyclinder DOHC 16-valve 1839cc 83mm x 85mm 9.1:1 122 @ 6000 rpm 120 @ 4000 rpm Electronic Fuel Injection Regular (Unleaded)

DRIVETRAIN
Type Clutch Type Trans-mission Optional: 4-Speed Electronically Controlled Automatic with Overdrive and Lock-up Torque Converter. DX/SE Trans-mission Gear Ratios: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Rev. Final Drive 5MT 3.416 1.842 1.290 0.972 0.775 3.214 3.850 4AT 2.816 1.497 1.000 0.725 -2.648 3.904 Back to top 5MT 3.416 1.842 1.290 1.028 0.775 3.214 4.105 LX 4AT 2.816 1.497 1.000 0.725 -2.648 3.904 Transverse Front Engine/Front-Wheel Drive Single Dry Plate with Diaphragm Spring 5-Speed Manual With Overdrive

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Type Battery Alternator Starter Ignition System 12 Volt Maintenance-Free 60 amp/hr 70 amp/hr (1.6L), 80 amp/hr. (1.8L) 0.85kW (1.6L MT), 1.0kW (1.6L AT & 1.8L) Breakerless Electronic Back to top

CHASSIS
Frame Front Suspension Rear Suspension Shock-Absorber Steering Steering Ratio Steering Wheel Turns (Lock-to-Lock) Min. Turning Circle (curb-to curb) Brakes Wheels Tires Curb Weight Magma Body; Unit Body with Side Impact Door Beams Independent, Strut Type, Coil Springs and Stabilizer Bar Independent, Strut Type with Twin Trapezoidal Links (TTL), Coil Springs and Stabilizer Bar Telescopic-type, double acting Rack and Pinion with engine-speed-sensitive variable power-assist 15.0 : 1 2.7 10.4m Power-assisted ventilated front disc/rear drum brakes; Optional Anti-Lock Braking System (SE & LX only) 14" Styled Steel Wheels w/ full wheel covers 185/65R14 All-Season Steel Belted Radials 1105kg (1.6L MT), 1142kg (1.8L MT) Back to top

CAPACITIES
Seating 5 Persons

Washer Fluid Tank 5.1 Litres Fuel Tank Crankcase Coolant Capacity 50 Litres 3.4 Litres (DX/SE); 3.7 Litres (LX) 6.0 Litres (DX/SE); 7.5 Litres (LX) Back to top

EXTERNAL DIMENSIONS (mm)

Wheelbase Track (Fr/Rr) Overall Length Overall Width Overall Height 2610 mm 1470 mm / 1470 mm 4420 mm 1705 mm 1410 mm

Ground Clearance 140 mm Back to top

INTERNAL DIMENSIONS
Headroom (Fr/Rr) Legroom (Fr/Rr) Shoulder Room (Fr/Rr) EPA Passenger Volume EPA Trunk Room Capacity Total Interior Volume 998 mm / 949 mm 1073 / 900 mm 1370 mm / 1356 mm 92.6 cu. ft. 12.9 cu. ft 105.5 cu. ft.

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TRANSPORT CANADA FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS

1.6L 5MT 8.5 L/100 km City (33 mpg) 6.7 L/100 km Highway (42 mpg) (41 mpg) Back to top (43 mpg) (40 mpg) (30 mpg) 6.9 L/100 km (32 mpg) 6.6 L/100 km (29 mpg) 7.1 L/100 km 4EAT 9.3 L/100 km 5MT 8.9 L/100 km 1.8L 4EAT 9.7 L/100 km

ESTIMATED PERFORMANCE DATA

DX/SE Acceleration (0 - 100 km/h) Top Speed (km/h) Acceleration (1/4 mile; sec) Weight Distribution (% frt/rr) Coefficient of Drag (Cd) Bumpers, frt/rr crash test MT: 11.4 / AT: 13.3 MT: 178 / AT: 165 MT: 18.2 / AT: 19.1 60:40 0.32 5 mph Back to top LX MT: 10.3 / AT: 12.2 MT: 192 / AT: 175 MT: 17.3 / AT: 18.4 61:39 0.32 5 mph