Well before we all get our collective panties in a wad -(as it were)-about the reporting of possible MSRP of the MSP, we should remember that these magazine factoids are written from the very same press releases we all saw about the time of the NY Auto Show. Just because one reporter bangs in "under 25,000" while another types "under 20,000" is editorial license more than additional knowledge on the subject.
Pricing the MSP at anything close to $25k damages Mazda in two ways. First, $25,000 US is Mazda6's side of the showroom. Secondly, pricing the car that high puts it out of the reach of the tuner market that they want to seed with those 2000 units. Remember that putting down 25 large on a new car moves you into a different set of vehicles like the Audi A4, Toyota Camry and even the Volvo S40. Those cars have features and finish beyond what Mazda can offer on the current Protege.