Events Coverage
Mazda at the 2004 SEMA Show
By by: George Achorn
Nov 9, 2004, 10:57

Mazda is a brand on fire right now. With hot new products like the MAZDA6 and MAZDA3 joining SEMA staples like the RX-8 and Miata, much of the attention in the import compact scene is turning from oldschool stalwarts like Honda and Acura to more recently dominant rivals such as Mazda. With this year's full arrival of the MAZDA3, Mazda took the spotlight with authority this year.

As usual, Mazdaspeed was present with some hot tuner cars and some of their own creations. Though the new Mazdaspeed6 didn’t make it over from the Paris Auto Show, a full-size example of its drivetrain was on display, including everything from the engine to the all-wheel drive system and wheels. Perhaps next year's SEMA Show will find the WRX and Evo looking over their shoulders?



Other cars by Mazdaspeed included a Mazdaspeed Miata a Mazda Pro Series racecar and an RX-8 fitted with their whole range of Mazdaspeed accessories.

Aside from the Mazda-built cars, several prominent tuner cars were showcased, demonstrating where the cars can go in the hands of independent professionals.



First up was a Mazda6 wagon by Troy Lee Designs. Fitted with a widebody ground effects kit, and wide 18-inch OZ Racing wheels, the car makes for one mean grocery-getter. For now, engine modifications are limited to a Mazdaspeed cat-back dual exhaust, though the audio system is upgraded with components from MTX, Rockford Fosgate and Audio Innovations.

Also by Troy Lee Designs was the Mazda3 Rallye Car Concept. Though the motor was still untouched by the time of the show, this European market (note the headlight washer jet covers on the front bumper) sported the Rally racecar look as well as a race-prepped interior including roll-cage.



Finally, DG Motorsports used their “Tribal 8” show car to display some of their lightweight carbon fiber body pieces, accented by its ultra-cool Chameleon paint. Engine mods were limited to a Borla Exhaust, K&N Air Filter and Carbon-Fiber engine cover. Suspension was all Mazdaspeed with the brand’s lowered suspension kit and strut bar.

Amongst the seemingly endless array of new products we found for Mazdas throughout the rest of the show, a new headlight housing for the Mazda6 caught our eye. It’s a direct replacement for stock, and though it doesn’t look much different, the Chinese manufacturer claims it’s an SAE compliant HID upgrade that plugs right in (http://www.nfa.com.cn).



More cool stuff could be found with a little searching. Japanese suspension manufacturer TEIN showed off many of its applications of hardware within their booth, including the Control Master Type Flex coilover suspension systems and optional Electronic Damping Force Controller (EDFC) that allows the driver to control the damping force with the touch of a button on the dash-mounted control box. TEIN currently offers these kits for the multiple years of production of the RX-7, RX-8 and Miata (http://www.tein.com).

California-based Alfa Otto was drawing big crowds, either for the plenty of booth models who were obviously chilly, or for the sweet black RX-8 booth car that was on display to show off parts such as their sweet LED black-out taillight design.



Not surprisingly as it’s been a hot-seller, the Mazda3 was a fairly common sight at SEMA, outside the halls as well as within booths such as the Katzkin’s Orange Crush design study and the Konig Golden Eagle drag car. 5-door versions were seemingly everywhere, though we particularly liked the white sedan built by Michigan-based MJH Sound.com.

One last car that grabbed our attention was a gray Mazda6 wagon located in the Webasto booth. The black and gold color treatment was unique, as was the oversized Webasto sunroof on top.





© Copyright 2003 by YourSITE.com