Mazda MX-Micro Sport Concept

[Antoine]

Does Mazda have any plans to put out something smaller than the Mazda3 in N. America?

 

[wongpres]

Does Mazda have any plans to put out something smaller than the Mazda3 in N. America?

A little over a year ago, Mazda Canada looked heavily into whether or not the current-gen Mazda2 would be feasible for the Canadian market (they even brought the MX Runabout, the concept car of the Mazda2, to the '03 Canadian International Autoshow).

The purpose, of course, is for the Mazda2 to compete with the Toyota Echo hatchback (a car that US doesn't get and is equivalent to the Toyota Yaris in other world markets). Since the Mazda2 hasn't come to Canada, it's pretty obvious that Mazda Canada figured it wasn't feasible enough. I agree with that decision - only Toyota's might could pull-off a vehicle like the Echo hatchback in Canada.

But the Mazda2 stuff was last year and Mazda now has more vehicles (the Millenium Plan was always to introduce 4 new mainstream models, all now out, and then follow it with niche vehicles, which we're seeing concepts of now and will reach production soon).

There was a strategic reason why the MX MicroSport made its world debut in Detroit, and also came to the '04 Canadian International autoshow. The reason is they are studying the feasibility for N. America. As I write this, the MX MicroSport is now at Geneva, is it for feasibility or a preview of an upcoming vehicle for Europe? This, I can't say.

 

[mikeyb]

I feel Mazda needs a smaller car then the Mazda3 to compete with the likes of Scion Xa/Xb, Toyota Echo, Hyundai Accent, Kia RIO, Suzuki Forzena/Reno and Aerio, Chevrolet Aveo, and the Mini Cooper. Smart is coming to the N. America in a year or two. Nissan is looking at bringing the Micra/March here. There's a market for a small car.

Just the list of options for the MX-Micro Sport blows away the competition besides the Suzuki Forzena/Reno and Mini Cooper. It also has the most in HP then the all the others.

 

[Rawny12017]

i really like the looks of it in the pictures...i gotta check it out when it hits the dealers...im definately thinkin of getting a mini cooper s and if this is cheaper, this might be the one to get...

 

[Rogue]

i read an article about it in MT. It won't be coming to the states...Europe and Japan (i think) only.

 

[mikeyb]

Mazda is studying marketing a similiar car here in N. America.

 

[mikeyb]

i really like the looks of it in the pictures...i gotta check it out when it hits the dealers...im definately thinkin of getting a mini cooper s and if this is cheaper, this might be the one to get...

The Cooper S is higher priced then this car would be. Base price for a Cooper S is 19K. The MX will have to be cheaper then the Mazda3 to sell well and not compete with the Mazda3.

 

[PeaB0dy]

The world of cars is getting smaller in size. Gas prices are going up, and Fuel effeciancy is wose than it was in 1983 on average because of SUV's and pick-up trucks. I think this car will or a varient make it to N/A. Up here in Canada, we are getting 5 new Models this year that are NOT going to the US or will after a while up here.. There is the new Nissan X-Trail "here", a new jaguar wagon, the smart fortwo is coming in September "here", There is a replacement for the Pontiac sunfire up here, may be a year later for the US, called the pursuit, looks like a civic and I can not remember the last one!!! I could be wrong on the pursuit, o well..

I attached some pics..

Sorry about forgetting to resize them..

Edit:

Forgot one thing..

In Canada we tend to go for smaller cars too, so there may be a shift down into the US!

 

[mikeyb]

That Pontiac in the pics is the 05 Chevy Cobalt. Nissan needs to sell the X-Trail down here too. As for the Jag it will not make it here to the US because Jaguar doesn't feel it will be able to compete against the BMW 3 series Touring. Smart will be in the US in 2005 with the Fourfour too.

 

[flat_black]

Uhm, look at this snippet:

Power comes from the 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine used in the Mazda Protg. In the Micro Sport, it's rated for 148 horsepower and 135 pound-feet of torque and paired with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Looks to me as though the car will feature the FS engine from the earlier Protege's, but that could just be a typo. Who knows. If it were the FS, that would be rather cool, 'cause I could use a nice 6 speed. =)

 

[flat_black]

Ahh, well, this website clarifies it, but here's a clip from said website:

The MX-Micro Sport concept is equipped with Mazda's proven MZR 2.0-liter four cylinder engine. Resting on liquid-filled engine mounts for improved NVH performance, the 16-valve engine benefits from a variable-length induction system, lightweight pistons and low-friction cams and tappets. The exhaust manifold has been specifically tuned to provide a pleasant, sporty engine note

 

[wongpres]

Mazda today announced the Verisa. The Verisa is a new compact that will be launched into the Japanese market this summer (around late-July). No pictures because the vehicle hasn't been launched yet, but let's just say hint, hint.

 

[SciFiMan]

...Up here in Canada, we are getting 5 new

What are emissions rules like in Canada? Can you buy a car there and bring it to Illinois for instance?