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Product Re-Release! CorkSport Mazdaspeed Protege Downpipe

CorkSport is pleased to announce the re-release of the highly anticipated CorkSport Mazdaspeed Protégé downpipe!

The CorkSport downpipe has been expertly designed to replace the restrictive piping of the Mazdaspeed Protégé stock downpipe. Mandrel bent 63mm piping is used to create smooth exhaust flow for dramatic increases in power. For lasting corrosion resistance and reduced heat transfer to the engine bay, the CorkSport downpipe uses polished T304 stainless steel and features TIG welds that offer superior arc and weld puddle control for a cleaner appearance and precise weld bead control.

The CorkSport Mazdaspeed Protégé Downpipe can be purchased today at the following link, https://www.corksport.com/corksport-power-series-downpipe-mazdaspeed-protege.html

The CorkSport Mazdaspeed Protégé Downpipe is just one of three parts that CorkSport has released in recent months to support the Protégé community.

Earlier this month we released the Mazdaspeed Protégé Intercooler Hose Kit designed to replace the stock rubber hose with strong, flexible, reinforced silicone that will allow for ideal flow in and out of the intercooler.

And late last year, CorkSport released the 2001-2003 Mazda/Mazdaspeed Protégé Skid Tray which will provide solid protection against rocks and road debris and is designed to prevent damage to key components of the undercarriage of the vehicle.

To learn more about these parts or the rest of our Mazdaspeed Protégé catalog, check out our catalog online at https://www.corksport.com/02-03-5-mazdaspeed-protege/

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Rumors of a Fiat/Mazda Partnership

There have been some new stories surfacing lately of Fiat showing interest in partnering with Mazda or Suzuki.

Although Mazda’s U.S. sales are surging this year, up 48% through February, the company has forecast a 1.2 billion dollar loss after the appreciation of the yen and the losses it faced due to last year’s tragic Tsunami.

Mazda President Takashi Yamanouchi said last month that the company was “aggressively “looking for a partner and at the Geneva International Motor Show early this month, Fiat Chief Executive Officer, Sergio Marchionne, said he’s searching for a third partner after merging with Chrysler Group LLC to help reduce development costs and boost sales in fast-growing countries, and said teaming with either Suzuki Motor Corp. or Mazda Motor Corp makes sense.

I can see the benefit of partnering with another manufacturer to increase the production base outside of Japan. The exchange rate has been hard on Mazdas profits despite setting sales records in several markets around the planet and increased sales in North America. Mazda is currently building a plant in Mexico to service the Americas. It is a completely owned Mazda production facility and it should benefit Mazda greatly over the next few decades but the outlay of initial cash is pretty heavy at 500 million USD.

With the extra capacity at the plants in Europe that Fiat offers Mazda could leverage a better position and reduce costs and prices of vehicles sold there. If it was just a deal worked out with Mazda have vehicle produced in Fiats plants it would be a good match. Fiat would have the extra capacity used up and Mazda would not have the investment of a new production plant. Cars built in Europe would also avoid the import duties thus making Mazdas more attractive with lower prices.

Recently Fiat partnered with the cripple Chrysler group and they appear to have the ship turned around now and headed in the right direction.

If this partnership comes to be, only time will tell if it will benefit both Fiat and Mazda in the end.

-Derrick

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More on the CX-5 – Kelly’s Adventure to the Port of Tacoma

I left Vancouver early Thursday morning on the Amtrak train for Tacoma, Washington. It was a beautiful day and the ride up was peaceful and nice.

Once I arrived, my adventure to pick-up the new CorkSport CX5 really began. It all started by going the wrong direction for a couple of blocks and then stopping into a super cute flower shop to get pointed in the right direction by the sales girl. I then stopped by the Amtrak station just to make sure I was on the right track. The guy behind the counter had no clue where the port was (you can see the some of the port from the train station), I was not even sure he knew he was in Tacoma! Next asked a taxi driver outside of the train station. His answer was “over the hill and to your left”. So away I went. Who knew he had no clue either.

To get an idea of what I was up against, here is an arial view of the Port of Tacoma

Several people have asked me why I didn’t take the cab, but it was a gorgeous day and in the Northwest at this time of year, they are few and far between. Plus Google Maps, Sprint Navigation, and MapQuest all indicated that Marshall Ave was a short 2 mile walk. Who needs a taxi for two miles, right? FYI MapQuest walked me into a wall, Sprint Navigation went sideways (mid-walk update that never updated to my phone), and Google Maps couldn’t find where I was at with the GPS. By then I was running short on my cell phone battery.

I continued to walk a mile and saw a Tacoma City Cop. The cop said I just needed to “go to the light right in front of me, go right, road will curve to the left, follow, then go right on next road and you’re there”. The next right was easily a 2-3 mile trek, no sidewalks and lots of big trucks. At this point in my travels a couple strange men in an old pick-up passed me at least 4 times, I was starting to get concerned. Girl in a skirt in any port is not a good idea generally, unless she’s working (wink-wink). See Green River Killer to elaborate on my concern.

Once I got to the end where I was told to turn right, there was no Marshal Ave. I opted to stop at a security shed, with the most helpful person of the day (Thank you Bob!). He had a map and got me going in the right direction another 2-3 miles, plus I had to stop and wait for a train to pass, good thing I had water with me.

I finally found Marshal Ave. I’m saved!!!! Suddenly the Mazda’s appeared and hope returned. I walked up to the first guard shed and Homeland Security sent me to the other end of the parking lot (about a mile). Next guard shed, said wrong spot and go back…noooo! At least he called ahead and Tony came looking for me with a truck. The 1/4 mile ride to the gate was heaven! Mike (Mazda rep) met me at the gate, which I never would have found, and led me to the CX5.

Next challenge was to get gas. Fortunately a gas station was close along with the freeway exit to food and home.

The drive home was perfect in the new CX5 and the next day CorkSport had the new SkyActiv itnake prototype test fitted on the car making it well worth the adventure!

Kelly-

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CorkSport Welcomes the CX-5 to the Family!

CorkSport is the proud new owner of Mazda’s newest addition to its line-up, the CX-5. Picked up straight from the port of Tacoma yesterday, the sporty new CX-5 will be helping CorkSport develop a new line of Mazda performance parts aimed at fulfilling the performance potential in the new SkyActiv engine technology line.

The CX-5 is available in three trims, Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring. We opted for the base sport trim which is currently the only option available with a manual six speed transmission. The Sport comes standard with seventeen-inch alloys, push-button start, tilt/telescopic steering, and cruise control.

The design is based on the Minagi concept car, and is Mazda’s first production vehicle to utilize the Kodo design language. The new five-point grille gives a real feeling of width, as it cuts into the headlights before leading to the lower center portion of the front grille and the interior is modern and clean and the driver-centric cockpit features a small, sporty steering wheel.

The CX-5 has the new SkyActiv 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and includes a direct injection, variable valve and exhaust timing, a specially designed exhaust manifold and a high compression ratio of 13.0:1. The engine’s broad torque band, the new transmission, and the reduced weight work together to deliver good acceleration. The quick revving engine has an excellent mid-range punch and the engine delivers a smooth, bossy engine note.

The electric power assist steering system offers crisp, quick steering and highly precise control. The geometry of the suspension links and the bush characteristics are optimized to ensure light, linear steering response at mid-to-low speeds and excellent high-speed stability.

We have already began development of a new SkyActiv short ram intake which will be launching later this year along a with a number of other performance parts to support the new SkyActiv suspension and engine.

CorkSport is happy to add the CX-5 as our newest project car!

Gwynne-

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Product Release! CorkSport Mazdaspeed Protege Intercooler Hose Kit

CorkSport is happy to announce the release of the new Mazdaspeed Protege Intercooler Hose Replacement kit!

Designed and tested for the side mount intercooler, the CorkSport intercooler hoses replace the stock rubber hose with strong, flexible, reinforced silicone that will allow for ideal flow in and out of the intercooler, provide improved throttle response, and smooth out boost pressure.

The silicone is custom formed for perfect fitment and has been designed as a direct bolt on replacement for the stock non-reinforced rubber hoses. Spurred by Mazdas recent discontinuation of the replacement cold pipe for the Mazdaspeed Protégé Intercooler, CorkSport has included both the cold pipe and hot pipe in the kit and is now the only silicone cold pipe replacement kit on the market.

“The OEM intercooler piping is prone to cracking over time which can cause hesitation and a loss of power”, said Rich Harris, President of CorkSport Mazda Performance, “Replacing the stock intercooler hoses with a better flowing kit will provide better flow capacity increasing reliability.”

The CorkSport Mazdaspeed Protégé Intercooler Hose Kit is available in three color options – red, blue and black – to customize the look of your engine bay to match your CorkSport Mazdaspeed Protege Power Series Cold Intake and can be purchased from CorkSport.com.

For more information about this new product or to purchase today, please visit our product listing page at //corksport.com/corksport-mazdaspeed-protege-intercooler-hose-kit.html