What is it?
2001 Mazda Premacy
What's special about it?
Premacy is a tall wagon/small van hybrid that is currently sold in Europe and Japan, where it enjoys great success. With the advent of crossover wagon/ute/van thingies in the States, Mazda brings the Premacy to the U.S. to gauge consumer reaction. There are currently no plans to market this vehicle in North America, but if Chicago Auto Show attendees clamor for one, they'll consider it.
Based on the Protege sedan's platform, Premacy gets a 2.3-inch wheelbase stretch but is 5.2 inches shorter than that small sedan. Nevertheless, inside there is room for five with three individual flip/fold/removable seats in the second row that are easy to maneuver. The front passenger seat folds in half, too, just like in the Chrysler PT Cruiser. A state-of-the-art navigation system is bundled with a killer sound system. Both operate via voice-recognition technology, and the stereo also comes with a remote. Further, it has the capacity to play mini-discs.
Power comes from the Protege's 2.0-liter, twin-cam four-cylinder engine, which makes 130 horsepower. A four-speed automatic transmission is the only way to get the power to the front wheels. A simple front disc/rear drum braking system includes ABS and EBD (Electronic Braking Distribution).
In keeping with Mazda's brand image, sporty six-spoke alloy wheels, fog lights and an aero kit come standard.
Why should you care?
This vehicle, if it came to America, would compete with the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Pontiac Vibe, Toyota Matrix and the upcoming Daewoo Rezzo.
In our opinion, given the strong visual and functional appeal of the PT Cruiser and the Vibe (and, to a lesser extent, the Matrix), and with the existence in Mazda's lineup of the MPV minivan and the upcoming 2002 Mazda sport wagon (a Protege-based five-door hatch), there isn't room for the Premacy in the U.S. market. Plus, it's underpowered and butt-ugly. Not a good vehicle to bring to America if "Zoom Zoom" is expected to mean anything to consumers who, for a long time, haven't had a clue what Mazda stood for. — Christian Wardlaw
2001 Mazda Premacy
What's special about it?
Premacy is a tall wagon/small van hybrid that is currently sold in Europe and Japan, where it enjoys great success. With the advent of crossover wagon/ute/van thingies in the States, Mazda brings the Premacy to the U.S. to gauge consumer reaction. There are currently no plans to market this vehicle in North America, but if Chicago Auto Show attendees clamor for one, they'll consider it.
Based on the Protege sedan's platform, Premacy gets a 2.3-inch wheelbase stretch but is 5.2 inches shorter than that small sedan. Nevertheless, inside there is room for five with three individual flip/fold/removable seats in the second row that are easy to maneuver. The front passenger seat folds in half, too, just like in the Chrysler PT Cruiser. A state-of-the-art navigation system is bundled with a killer sound system. Both operate via voice-recognition technology, and the stereo also comes with a remote. Further, it has the capacity to play mini-discs.
Power comes from the Protege's 2.0-liter, twin-cam four-cylinder engine, which makes 130 horsepower. A four-speed automatic transmission is the only way to get the power to the front wheels. A simple front disc/rear drum braking system includes ABS and EBD (Electronic Braking Distribution).
In keeping with Mazda's brand image, sporty six-spoke alloy wheels, fog lights and an aero kit come standard.
Why should you care?
This vehicle, if it came to America, would compete with the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Pontiac Vibe, Toyota Matrix and the upcoming Daewoo Rezzo.
In our opinion, given the strong visual and functional appeal of the PT Cruiser and the Vibe (and, to a lesser extent, the Matrix), and with the existence in Mazda's lineup of the MPV minivan and the upcoming 2002 Mazda sport wagon (a Protege-based five-door hatch), there isn't room for the Premacy in the U.S. market. Plus, it's underpowered and butt-ugly. Not a good vehicle to bring to America if "Zoom Zoom" is expected to mean anything to consumers who, for a long time, haven't had a clue what Mazda stood for. — Christian Wardlaw
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