Well maybe this is true because I can't seem to find any option on their site allowing it. I was reading the specifacations section and thought it showed both 2WD and 4WD as an option.
Hmm... I was watching the "Motor Week" show when I heard them say that the XRS came with the AWD option but it was not a "True" AWD system, because it only provided UP TO 50% of the power to the rear wheels when there is slipping in the front. None the less the 180HP and 6 Speed Tranny alone are pretty kick *** for a grocery getter

 

Secret society!!!! Don't go all James Bond on us. We need info


Currently, there are a few people/companies working on turbo kits for the protege. If the turbo is available through the parts dept. at your dealer, is their work towards a turbo kit in vain.

 

didn't i say this somewhere else allready ...but at the time it was speculation....which then means Mazda Australia may do a swap----the turbo kit produced here for the sp miata ...for the protege turbo produced there by callaway!!! i like it!!

 

I was hoping that the MazdaSpeed 3 would be a regular production model, not a throw together at port. Also the orange color leaves me cold. How's about red, black and white for color options? For my daily driver I want something that blends in not stands out.

Oh well, at least the turbo should give a range of tuning options. If it is only 5 psi with no intercooler, you could add a water to air intercooler crank the boost to 12 psi or so and be running 200 whp... with tonnes of torque steer.

 

Its awesome that they are coming out with a turbo Pro I have heard this from a couple of my sources also and it has been confirmed from what I understand with my Mazda Dealer. Although I will still be happy with my custom turbo setup...cause see people will be looking for this new 2003 Protege (mazdaspeed3) Turbo on teh road but not looking for a turbo nitrous boosted 2000 ES without any badges

 

Sorry, I think you misunderstood. I saw the same show yesterday and heard specifically that the XRS would not have the AWD. I wonder if it cannot hold up to the 180 HP?

 

Sounds great.
I would trade my 2002 P5 for one of those turbo Pro's;
-if it was build on next generation suspension
-if 2.3 or 2.0 Duratec HE engine was the one to be turbocharged

 

Whoever the website designer for Toyota is plan lazy.

The full-time 4WD is ONLY avaliable on Matrix and Matrix XR models only. These models only come with the 1.8l 130 hp engine. The XRS comes with 180 hp, but no 4WD.

The 6sp is only avaliable on the XRS (180hp). If you want 4WD, you only get 5sp or auto.

 

And also in regards to the Pontiac Vibe:

You only get the 6sp with the 1.8l 180hp model (Vibe GT).

If you want AWD (Vibe AWD), you can only get that with the 1.8l 123hp. Keep in mind you can only get this model with automatic, manual is NOT avaliable! (blah!).

The regular model (Vibe) comes with the normal 1.8l 130hp. Comes either auto or 5sp manual.

 

A transaxle must be specifically designed for an all wheel drive format. I'm sure the Toyota 6 speed transaxle is just as strong as their 5 speed, but I doubt they had a 6 speed available with an all wheel drive layout. Also, it's more marketing than anything else. All wheel drive adds weight. On a car this light, with a high HP but low torque output engine, the extra weight would hurt performance. The XRS is marketed towards the sport compact performance crowd, while the other models are marketed more towards the utility/safety crowd. Toyota's not the first manufacturer to do this, after all, manufacturers are trying to reach as many different people as possible with each model/trim line available to increase sales.
As for the turbo Protégé, as long as the kit is still based on the current FP/FS engines, who cares what HP it outputs stock. For us current owners, it gives us factory spec parts to start with for our own turbo project. For new prospective Protégé owners, it's much easier to tune a factory turbo engine for more power than a small displacement naturally aspirated engine. Also the turbo could be designed to boost torque more than HP. 170HP is OK by me, if it comes with 170 to 180 ft/lbs of torque.

 

Well look at the HKS Protege it only ran 5 PSI and made 175 HP and over 200 Ft Lbs of torque so if the turbo does come out on the F engine it should be in abundance of torque.

 

HKS made a turbo protege? got a link for that? that'll be a cool prototype to look at...
180 ft/lb will kick ***!

 

Haven't you ever been to Protege Mecca? Check out Hunter's Protege site that started this all. http://www.geocities.com/lonestarrd/title.htm The red Protege under Concepts is the HKS concept turbo Protege. It also sports Mazda's own concept body kit. My favorite body kit to date, including the MP3.

 

Sure www.protegetech.com look under either concept cars or 3rd gen photos.

 

oh THAT one.... yeah I've seen that, too long ago, totally forgot

and I agree that's the BEST looking concept body kit, including the MP3...