MAZDA PROTEGE ALL-SPORT CONCEPT WAGON*

Mazda has unveiled the Protegé All-Sport Concept Wagon, an all-season, all-wheel-drive (AWD) sportwagon with aggressive, European-inspired styling and spirited performance. Based on the right-hand drive Japanese and European five-door wagon version of the Protegé sedan, the Protegé All-Sport evokes the heritage of Mazda's 1988-89 323 GTX, the first all-wheel-drive "rally car for the street".

The Mazda Protegé All-Sport has a 2.0-litre, DOHC, 16-valve, four-cylinder engine that produces 136-horsepower and is mated to a four-speed, electronically-controlled automatic transmission. A "sport" mode makes it possible to shift up or down manually when driving in the "D" range.

The Protegé All-Sport also features four-wheel disc brakes, 17-inch wheels and full-time all-wheel-drive. Ride height has been raised for increased ground clearance and enhanced visibility.

Elements of the powerful front face include Mazda's distinctive five-point grille and air intake fitted with rugged mesh grilles, quad, multi-reflector headlamps and large round fog lights. Dual exhaust pipes exit through a custom rear fascia, while a spoiler helps keep the rear window clear.

The interior is highlighted with green trim on the leather-wrapped shift lever and NARDI steering wheel. The seats are leather and dimpled suede, with green trim and stitching. The centre console, selector lever faceplate and power window switch panel on the door trim are titanium in colour. The interior also features a satellite navigation system for worry-free backwoods driving, a driver and front-seat passenger air bag Supplemental Restraint System and front-seat side impact airbags.

*Mazda Canada