A modestly sized turbo adjusted to provide a wide torque curve and a Haldex differential in the middle shouldn't be so hard to do. Mazda already offers MS3, MS6, and CX7 with turbos, and a number of Haldex based AWD offerings. Turbo fours can and do deliver better fuel economy than some V6s, albiet they tend to use premium gas and synthetic oil. But when you look at the 2.0T from VWAG getting 6.5L / 100km on the highway and having a torque curve flatter than Kansas, it's uplifting.
As to your other point, do you mean adding toys or adding individuality? The former I think of as "options", like Satnav, XM radio, multirow climate control, power liftgate...the latter I think of as somewhat more "accessories" type of thing, like roof diffusers, body kit, bike carrier, Thule / roof rack, aftermarket alloys....
I see the latter being possible and profitable for dealers...don't have to install at the factory which improves things.
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That’s exactly what I’m talking about. If Mazda used the motor that’s in the MazdaSpeed (3&7) and tuned it a bit to deliver all that juicy torque down low ,and keep it flat as the VW’s, it could probably be decreased in displacement(decrease the bore). That could strengthen the block, and with new technologies maybe they can make it run on regular gasoline, or get better fuel economy than the current turbo 4.
What I was suggesting for this fictional vehicle, could be an opportunity for Mazda. If Mazda were to build it, and it was:
- Lower in base price than the current CX-7.
- Maybe had a two liter 4 cylinder Turbo engine with the flat torque curve.
- AWD, and still maintained the 2/2/2 seating.
- 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION.
- Came with enough standard options that satisfied most sports minded buyers.
That could be winner. What I meant by offering the customer a long list of optional equipment, was exactly what you listed. I would also like to see on the option list:
-Suspension components & wheel packages
- Engine & Transmission fluid coolers
-6 speed manual Transmission
- Locking center Differential
-Limited slip differential front and back.
I know I’m probably getting carried away, and a fully loaded MazdaSpeed 5 would than probably cost more than a base CX-7….But it’s just a dream right now anyways.