Car and Driver makes its own Mazdaspeed5
The Washtenaw Community College Vehicle Performance class that helped build Boss Wagon VI
Although the story's a bit old, Car and Driver just released the tale of their sixth Boss Wagon project online. Just like their past attempts at turning a sow's ear into a silk purse, this one starts with a casual comment that snowballs out of control. After several rethinks, copious man-hours and a lot of scratched heads, a new Boss Wagon has been birthed. This time the project takes the form of a Mazdaspeed5. Yep, Mazda's funky microvan with an extra dash of speed.
Although there are plenty of examples of the Mazdaspeed3 and Mazdaspeed6 on the road, Mazda never made a factory Mazdaspeed5. Some people think that's unacceptable, a few AB staffers included. The Mazda5 is an almost perfect family hauler, but one complaint from drivers has often been that it lacks some zoom-zoom in the engine bay. The simple fix? Because the 5 shares its underpinnings with the Mazda3, stuff in a Mazdaspeed3 turbo mill and pick up an extra 110 hp instantaneously.
Sounds simple enough, but as you'll learn by reading the article, things are never as simple as they might seem. Some eight months, 21 days, and two hours later, the only items they hadn't removed from the 5 were the sliders and liftgate, and they still aren't finished with the fine-tuning. Well, did all that work pay off? Did they turn the grocery getter into a weekend warrior? Follow the source link and find out for yourselves.
[Source: Car and Driver]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mazda FTW! 1:15PM (5/02/2009)
Damn that 5 looks hot! (In the linked article).
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xtasi 1:19PM (5/02/2009)
Surprising that Mazda uses different wiring. I would have thought that it would be cheaper for them to share it. Mazda should offer this option. Just because you have kids, doesn't mean your life is over.
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eric 3:19PM (5/02/2009)
I rented the 5 for a week and loved it. I wasn't looking for more power but then I wasn't in a situation where more would have made a difference. With the two sliding doors and interior configuration, this was a great family hauler and I wish the US version had the flip out and up center seat in the second row as the Euro versions have. As C&D explored, lowered a bit, add a turbo and kit and Zoom-Zoom indeed! I was thinking the same returning it.
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JZeke 1:59PM (5/02/2009)
Funny, I was just researching how one could do this yesterday.
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JZeke 2:03PM (5/02/2009)
Now I'm glad I didn't pursue it further...
Kitko 2:10PM (5/02/2009)
I assume it would be much easier with a Euro Spec Mazda5. The 6-speed manual is standard, as is DSC and TCS, although there's no 2.3 liter option. Next step - change suspension and brakes to match the engine.
Anyway, moral of the story? This is Mazda machinery, so don't mess up with it. You can make the car go faster, but you can't make it better - that is an actual quote from a guy of Startech - German tuning specialist.
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michael pettibone 2:15PM (5/02/2009)
The 5 seems to be Mazda's red headed stepchild.Last to get the 5 speed auto now it must wait till 2010 to get the new 2.5 engine that it sorely needs.
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paul34 3:43PM (5/02/2009)
Who needs a 5 speed auto when it comes with a manual? One of the few minivan-type vehicles to do so. Kudos to Mazda.
Dave 2:24PM (5/02/2009)
The Mazda5 is pretty cool. When I see one, it doesn't quite register as a minivan, but rather some sort of XL Subcompact wagon, a la Honda Fit or Suzuki SX4.
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P.V. 2:58PM (5/02/2009)
Honestly, it's more microvan than minivan. It competes more against the KIA Rondo, Opel Zafira, and Ford C-Max (the basis of its platform).
fixitfixitstop 10:40PM (5/02/2009)
I'm calling it a 4-door coupe XUV. (sic)
benfolio 4:12PM (5/02/2009)
Hahaha! C&D tripped up by the infamous Peanut Butter Jelly Box!!!
Why is the speed3 wearing MPV wheels? Someone somewhere's got some nice MS3 18's on thier ride....
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Aloysius Vampa 3:17PM (5/02/2009)
Still cool.
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theSAWzall 4:15PM (5/02/2009)
Funny they put that engine in the minivan. I've been thinking the sedan deserves it!
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Aloysius Vampa 8:11PM (5/02/2009)
I was passed the other day by what must have been just that -- or something like it. That was a /really/ fast Mazda 3 sedan.
Tomac 4:40PM (5/02/2009)
This is an absolutely brilliant project. I've been waiting for months to hear about progress on it.
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BoneHeadOtto 9:29AM (5/03/2009)
a MazdaSpeed5 would be an ideal auto. I love the practicality of sliding doors and folding seats. Plus the looks and the interior are as good as it gets for a minivan. Hauls ass and stuff.
Another practical performance box would be a scion xB with the camry v6. 267ho car weighing 3100lbs, that would cost right around $20k, that would be a killer well rounded auto as well.
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A.N.E. 9:51PM (5/02/2009)
Awesome. I'd get one in a heartbeat!
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ryan 11:44PM (5/02/2009)
7.2 seconds to 60mph? That's disappointing. Nice idea though.
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adelossa 2:44AM (5/03/2009)
It broke my heart to see the MS3 all battered up like that on the lift. But atleast it went to a better place.
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