The Third Generation: 1999-Current
With Mazda deciding to stick to the tried and true 4 year model cycle, they fully redesigned the Protegé for 1999. With it's new European look, it's opt to make a few heads turn. Still using the OptiSpace interior design, Mazda has again built a very roomy compact sedan. Ford has plans to put the Protege on the Ford Focus platform in the 2002 model year. Please hope it isn't so! The DX and LX models get a bigger engine for the redesign, a 105hp 1.6 liter engine, and the ES gets the same 122hp 1.8 liter engine.
For 2001, the Protege will recieve a minor freshening to the interior and exterior. The 1.8 liter 122hp engine will be replaced with the 2.0 liter 130hp engine from the Mazda 626. Mazda has also strengthened parts of the suspenion to make it handle even better.
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