Mazda Protege

Mazda Protege: generations: what actually changed

Mazda Protege is filed as 3 generations. Only two of them carry engines.

Mazda Protege is filed as 3 generations. Only two of them carry engines.

1 generation (1989–1994), Sedan — 0 versions. Ground clearance, tank, power, weight: not measured at model-generation level because there are no modification rows. You cannot choose a 1 generation Protege from this catalogue.

2 generation (1994–1999), Sedan — 4 versions, all FWD. Two displacements: 1489 cm³ (`1.5 MT`, `1.5 AT`) at 97 hp / 71 kW / 132 Nm, and 1598 cm³ (`1.6 MT`, `1.6 AT`) at 115 hp / 85 kW / 135 Nm. Fuel grade 92 on the 1.5s, 95 on the 1.6s. Compression 9 (1.5) vs 9.4 (1.6). Engine position is not measured. Kerb weight is not measured. Gross weight is listed as 1040 kg on all four. Ground clearance 150 mm, tank 50 L. 0–100, top speed, city/highway/mixed consumption, wheels, CO2, eco class: not measured. Rear suspension: not measured. Rear brakes: Drum. The 1.6s peak at 6500 rpm for power and 5500 rpm for torque — the highest rpm pair in the whole model.

3 generation (1998–2004), Sedan — 12 versions (the file’s `modifikaciy` field says 20; the array contains 12). Calendar overlap with 2 generation is 1998–1999. What 3 generation adds on paper: a 1323 cm³ floor (`1.3 MT`, `1.3 AT`, 85 hp), a 1498 cm³ 1.5 at 110 hp (13 hp more than 2 generation’s 1489 cm³ / 97 hp), two different 1598 cm³ tunes (98 hp and 106 hp, both below 2 generation’s 115 hp), plus 1839 cm³ (`1.8 MT`, `1.8 AT`, 114 hp) and 1991 cm³ (`2.0 MT`, `2.0 AT`, 130 hp). Front, transverse engine placement is now listed. Independent, spring rear suspension appears on the 1.6-litre rows. Some 1.6s switch rear brakes from Drum to Disc. Timed performance and consumption exist only on selected 1.6s and both 1.8s.

Generation arithmetic that should drive the buy. 2 generation `1.6 MT` (115 hp) vs 3 generation `1.6 MT` (106 hp): −9 hp if you “upgrade” generation on the same badge. 2 generation `1.6 MT` (115 hp) vs 3 generation `1.6 MT` (98 hp): −17 hp. 2 generation `1.5 MT` (97 hp) vs 3 generation `1.5 MT` (110 hp): +13 hp and displacement +9 cm³ (1489 → 1498). Specific output: 2 generation 1.6 is 72.0 hp/L (115 / 1.598); 3 generation `1.5 MT` is 73.4 hp/L (110 / 1.498) — the densest engine in the file. 3 generation `1.6 MT` (98 hp) is only 61.3 hp/L. Ground clearance on 3 generation is 140 mm on 1.3 / 1.5 / 1.8 / 2.0 and 150 mm on the 1.6s — same 150 mm as all of 2 generation.

Engines and specs

All versions: Gasoline, 4 cylinders, Inline, 4 valves per cylinder, boost No, Distributed injection (multi-point), FWD. Manuals are 5 speeds; automatics are 4 speeds.

Bore × stroke (for matching twins): 3 generation 1.3 is 71 × 83, compression 9; 1.5 is 78 × 78, 9; both 1.6 families share 78 × 83.6 but compression 9.7 (98 hp) vs 9.4 (106 hp); 1.8 is 83 × 85, 9.7; 2.0 is 83 × 92, 9.7. 2 generation 1.5 is 75 × 83, 9; 2 generation 1.6 is 78 × 83.6, 9.4 — same hole as 3 generation’s 106 hp 1.6, not the 98 hp 1.6.

Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres): `1.5 MT`/`1.5 AT` 3 generation 73.4; 2 generation `1.6 MT`/`1.6 AT` 72.0; 3 generation `1.6 MT`/`1.6 AT` (106 hp) 66.3; `2.0 MT`/`2.0 AT` 65.3; `1.3 MT`/`1.3 AT` 64.2; `1.8 MT`/`1.8 AT` 62.0; 3 generation `1.6 MT`/`1.6 AT` (98 hp) 61.3. The 98 hp 1.6 is the least dense engine; the 110 hp 1.5 is the most dense. Stepping from 1.5 to 1.8 on 3 generation costs +341 cm³ for +4 hp (110 → 114) — 0.012 hp per extra cm³. Stepping 1.8 to 2.0 is +152 cm³ for +16 hp — 0.105 hp per extra cm³, about nine times more power returned per extra cubic centimetre.

Torque: 2 generation 1.6 has 135 Nm at 5500 rpm; 3 generation both 1.6s have 145 Nm (+10 Nm) at 3700 (98 hp) or 4000 (106 hp). The later 1.6 makes more twist earlier even when it makes less peak power. 3 generation 2.0 is 183 Nm — +38 Nm vs the 1.6s, +26 Nm vs the 1.8s (157 Nm).

Performance, mpg, and what the automatic costs

0–100 km/h is not measured on 1 generation (no versions), all of 2 generation, and on 3 generation `1.3 MT`, `1.3 AT`, `1.5 MT`, `1.5 AT`, `1.6 MT` (106 hp), `1.6 AT` (106 hp), `2.0 MT`, `2.0 AT`. Top speed is not measured on the same set. Do not treat those cars as having no performance — the stopwatch row is empty.

Where the stopwatch exists:

• `1.6 MT` (98 hp): 11.6 s, 182 km/h. Mixed 7.5 L/100 km (city 9.6, highway 6.3).
• `1.6 AT` (98 hp): 14.7 s, 170 km/h. Mixed 8.6 (city 11.3, highway 7.1).
• `1.8 AT`: 12.5 s, 175 km/h. Consumption not measured.
• `1.8 MT`: 12.5 s, 175 km/h. Consumption not measured. Same timed pair as the automatic.

Automatic tax on the only paired timed 1.6: `1.6 AT` (98 hp) is 3.1 s slower to 100 km/h and 12 km/h slower on top than `1.6 MT` (98 hp). Mixed use is +1.1 L/100 km (8.6 − 7.5), city +1.7 (11.3 − 9.6), highway +0.8 (7.1 − 6.3). That is the measured price of the 4-speed Automatic versus the 5-speed Manual on the same 98 hp engine.

1.8 vs 1.6 on the clock. `1.8 MT` at 12.5 s is 0.9 s slower than `1.6 MT` (98 hp) at 11.6 s, despite +16 hp (114 vs 98) and +12 Nm (157 vs 145). Top speed is 7 km/h lower (175 vs 182). The larger engine does not buy a faster catalogue sprint on these two rows. `1.8 AT` at 12.5 s is 2.2 s faster than `1.6 AT` (98 hp) at 14.7 s — the automatic 1.8 is the one 1.8 comparison that looks like a win versus the 98 hp 1.6 automatic.

106 hp 1.6 consumption (0–100 not measured): `1.6 MT` (106 hp) mixed 7.6, city 8.1, highway 6.9. Versus `1.6 MT` (98 hp): mixed +0.1, city −1.5, highway +0.6. The 106 hp manual is the cheapest city number in the file (8.1). `1.6 AT` (106 hp) mixed 8.1, city 9.0, highway 7.1. Versus `1.6 AT` (98 hp): mixed −0.5, city −2.3, highway 0.0. If the job is city litres, the 106 hp pair beats the 98 hp pair on both gearboxes; if the job is a published 0–100, only the 98 hp pair has a number.

CO2 is not measured on every version. Eco class is not measured on every version.

Dimensions, weight, tank, wheels

Tank is 50 L on every version that exists. Range is not a catalogue field; mixed consumption is only on the four 1.6 rows of 3 generation. Using those mixed figures: `1.6 MT` (98 hp) 50 / 7.5 ≈ 6.7 tankfuls of mixed driving per 100 km of fuel, i.e. 667 km of mixed distance per tank if you treat 7.5 L/100 km as constant. `1.6 AT` (98 hp) 50 / 8.6 ≈ 581 km. `1.6 MT` (106 hp) 50 / 7.6 ≈ 658 km. `1.6 AT` (106 hp) 50 / 8.1 ≈ 617 km. All other versions: distance per tank not measured because mixed use is not measured.

Ground clearance: 150 mm on all 2 generation cars and on 3 generation’s four 1.6s; 140 mm on 3 generation 1.3, 1.5, 1.8, 2.0 — 10 mm less. Choose a 1.6 (either generation) if 150 mm is the gate.

Wheels are listed only on the four 3 generation 1.6s: 185/65 R14 and 195/55 R15. All other versions: wheels not measured.

Kerb weight, where measured (3 generation only):

• `1.3 MT` 1020 kg → 12.00 kg/hp
• `1.5 MT` 1020 kg → 9.27 kg/hp (same mass, +25 hp vs the 1.3)
• `1.6 MT` (98 hp) 1170 kg → 11.94 kg/hp; gross 1625 kg (payload 1625 − 1170 = 455 kg)
• `1.6 AT` (98 hp) 1125 kg → 11.48 kg/hp; gross 1655 kg (payload 530 kg)
• `1.6 MT` (106 hp) 1104 kg → 10.42 kg/hp; gross not measured
• `1.6 AT` (106 hp) 1115 kg → 10.52 kg/hp; gross not measured
• `2.0 MT` 1195 kg → 9.19 kg/hp; gross not measured

Kerb not measured: `1.3 AT`, `1.5 AT`, `1.8 AT`, `1.8 MT`, `2.0 AT`, and all four 2 generation versions. Gross on 2 generation is 1040 kg on every row — 130 kg below 3 generation `1.3 MT` kerb (1020) wait: 1040 − 1020 = 20 kg above that kerb, but 155 kg below 3 generation `2.0 MT` kerb (1195). Treat 2 generation 1040 kg as the listed gross, not as a kerb substitute.

`1.5 MT` and `1.3 MT` share 1020 kg. The 1.5 therefore carries 25 extra hp at 0 extra kg. That is the cleanest “what the extra displacement buys” row in the model: +175 cm³, +25 hp, +27 Nm, fuel grade 92 instead of not measured, still 140 mm, still Drum rear, still Manual 5.

Front suspension is Independent, spring on every version. Rear suspension is Independent, spring on the four 3 generation 1.6s and not measured elsewhere. Front brakes are Ventilated disc on every version. Rear brakes: Disc only on `1.6 MT` (98 hp) and `1.6 AT` (98 hp); Drum on every other listed car.

Problems and reliability

No failure rates, recalls, or service intervals are in the data. Reliability is not measured. Problems are not measured. Do not infer durability from kerb weight or from compression ratio.

Which version to choose

Need a 1 generation Protege? There is no version. Stop.

Need the strongest 1.6 in the nameplate? 2 generation `1.6 MT` or `1.6 AT` at 115 hp / 85 kW. That is 9 hp above 3 generation `1.6 MT` (106 hp) and 17 hp above `1.6 MT` (98 hp). Torque is 10 Nm lower than the later 1.6s (135 vs 145) and arrives 1500 rpm later than the 98 hp tune (5500 vs 3700). You trade peak power for later, smaller torque. 0–100, mpg, kerb: not measured. Fuel 95. Clearance 150 mm. Gross 1040 kg.

Need the strongest 1.5? 3 generation `1.5 MT` or `1.5 AT` at 110 hp — 13 hp and 5 Nm above 2 generation’s 97 hp / 132 Nm 1.5s, on 92 fuel in both generations. Buy the Manual (`1.5 MT`) when you want the only 1.5 kerb in the file (1020 kg). The Automatic (`1.5 AT`) has the same 110 hp and 137 Nm; kerb, 0–100, mpg: not measured.

Need the lightest Protege with a measured kerb? Tie: 3 generation `1.3 MT` and `1.5 MT` at 1020 kg. The 1.5 is the rational pick of the two: same mass, +25 hp, +27 Nm, 73.4 hp/L vs 64.2 hp/L. `1.3 AT` does not list kerb.

Need a published sprint and top speed? Only four rows qualify. Ranked by 0–100: `1.6 MT` (98 hp) 11.6 s / 182 km/h; then both `1.8 MT` and `1.8 AT` 12.5 s / 175 km/h; then `1.6 AT` (98 hp) 14.7 s / 170 km/h. The manual 98 hp 1.6 is the performance buy. The 1.8s do not beat it on the clock. The 98 hp automatic is the slowest timed car — do not buy it for speed.

Need city litres? Among measured rows, `1.6 MT` (106 hp) at 8.1 city. Next: `1.6 AT` (106 hp) 9.0, `1.6 MT` (98 hp) 9.6, `1.6 AT` (98 hp) 11.3. Highway best is `1.6 MT` (98 hp) at 6.3, then `1.6 MT` (106 hp) 6.9, then both automatics at 7.1. Mixed best is `1.6 MT` (98 hp) 7.5, then `1.6 MT` (106 hp) 7.6 — 0.1 apart; pick 98 hp mixed, 106 hp city.

Need disc rear brakes? Only `1.6 MT` (98 hp) and `1.6 AT` (98 hp). The 106 hp 1.6s go back to Drum. That is the hardware split between the two 1.6 families, together with compression 9.7 vs 9.4 and torque peak 3700 vs 4000 rpm.

Need 150 mm clearance and 3 generation parts? Any of the four 1.6s. Need 150 mm and 115 hp? Stay on 2 generation 1.6.

Need peak power in the model? `2.0 MT` or `2.0 AT`, 130 hp / 183 Nm. `2.0 MT` is the one with kerb: 1195 kg, 9.19 kg/hp, the lowest kg/hp that is actually calculated. Versus `1.5 MT`: +20 hp, +46 Nm, +175 kg, fuel 95 instead of 92, clearance still 140 mm, 0–100 still not measured. The 2.0 automatic matches the engine; kerb not measured.

Need an automatic that is not the slow 98 hp 1.6? `1.8 AT` is the only automatic with a 0–100 other than the 14.7 s car, and it matches `1.8 MT` at 12.5 s / 175 km/h — unusual: the Automatic does not lose time versus the Manual on the 1.8 rows. Consumption on both 1.8s is not measured, so you cannot price fuel. `1.5 AT` (110 hp) and `2.0 AT` (130 hp) are stronger on paper than `1.8 AT` (114 hp) but have no sprint.

Do not buy `1.3 AT` if you need a known mass or known fuel grade — both not measured. `1.3 MT` at least has 1020 kg; fuel still not measured. The 1.3 pair is the power floor: 85 hp, 110 Nm, 12.00 kg/hp on the MT. Versus `1.5 MT` there is no weight saving.

Manual vs Automatic, same engine, when only gearbox changes: every pair shares hp, Nm, displacement, fuel, drive. The Automatic is always 4 speeds vs Manual 5. Timed penalty is known only on 98 hp 1.6 (+3.1 s, −12 km/h, +1.1 mixed L/100 km). On 1.8 the timed figures are equal. On 1.3, 1.5, 106 hp 1.6, 2.0, and all of 2 generation, the Automatic’s time and litre cost is not measured.

Short list. Daily 3 generation with known mass and 92 fuel: `1.5 MT`. Daily 3 generation with known 0–100 and rear Disc: `1.6 MT` (98 hp). Daily 3 generation with the lowest city figure: `1.6 MT` (106 hp). Peak horsepower: `2.0 MT`. Peak 1.6 horsepower across generations: 2 generation `1.6 MT`. Automatic with a stopwatch that is not 14.7 s: `1.8 AT`. Leave 1 generation empty.