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Mazda B-series trucks arrive with slick designs and new gear
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. -- A prototype edition of the new compact pickup truck by Mazda glided over paved rural back lanes of this scenic island anchored around the mouth of Puget Sound.
The truck's chassis, reinforced with stiff boxing up front, combines with a new independent front double wishbone suspension system to produce car-like ride sensations which feel firm and react predictably in a pattern that more closely resembles one of Mazda's cars rather than a pickup.
Inside, the cabin has been enlarged to bring more room for riders, and handy features show up everywhere, creating a cozy compartment with many thoughtful touches.
The bold new shape of this truck stands out in a parking lot -- it looks long and low and downright tough.
Dressed in new sheetmetal, with a definitive new face in front and bulging side wheel blisters, Mazda's truck appears as a slick import, although it comes out of a New Jersey plant in Mazda's joint-venture with Ford.
Despite new hardware, sheetmetal and interior perks, Mazda's B-series trucks carry similar numerical names as previous issues, with numbers derived from the size of three engine choices, as expressed in liters. A base version equipped with 2.5-liter in-line 4-cylinder engine wears the tag of B2500, while one with 3.0-liter V6 becomes the B3000.
Top model -- with 4.0-liter V6 -- totes the banner of B4000.
These numbers may seem like an unconventional way of naming a truck -- compared to more recognizable handles like Ranger, Sonoma or Ram -- but don't sweat this detail.
Here's the point to remember: Mazda's truck is, in a word, nice.
It steers, turns, surges and romps with tough-truck confidence, yet also applies a user-friendly attitude.
Spend time driving the truck, which is what one tester did on Whidbey Island drawing from a collection outfitted with V6 and 4-cylinder engines and either rear-wheel or 4-wheel traction, and you'll see what I mean.
Articulated fenders set it apart from other pickups, while flashy front grille and bumper contribute a smoothness to a rounded, aggressive prow.
From side view, a line of bright chrome rings windows, and the off-road edition gets special swoopy graphics.
These fine points of good looks come from Mazda's designers based in California, with the New Jersey assembly occurring with Ford Ranger, which shares underpinnings.
A personal assessment ranks Mazda's truck ahead of import competitors due to the car-like conveniences and a new athletic personality which takes on rough spots and curve sets alike while sticking fast to the road.
It flashes some muscle too.
Pick the top V6 option -- earning 160 horsepower enthused with lots of low-end torque -- and you'll get far more low-gear action than imports provide.
That torque amounts to 225 lbs/ft at 3000 rpm.
Mazda's base powertrain consists of a 2.5-liter four, rated at 119 hp in team with 5-speed manual shifter.
The 4x4 package skips over this base plant but works on either 4.0-liter V6 or the 3.0-liter V6 that pumps 150 hp.
Also, a 4-speed automatic transmission is offered with base four and smaller V6, but for the larger V6 a slick 5-speed automatic, borrowed from Ford Explorer, installs.
Select the 4x4 option in B4000, like the model tested off-road in a gravel pit and slippery mud bath on Whidbey Island, and you'll end up with a powerful work truck that exhibits a go-anywhere spirit on pavement or dirt.
A new pulse vacuum hub-lock device sets front hubs quickly and quietly for push-button shifting into 4x4 mode -- and it engages while moving at speeds up to 70 mph.
In addition to the choices of three engines and two traction models, Mazda's B trucks arrive in two trim levels and with a regular-size cabin or the stretched Cab Plus interior plan.
Cab Plus extends the cabin wall rearward to carve out a storage bay where a jump seat, which faces to the side, mounts behind the driver's seat.
When not needed, the seat folds out of the way to keep the bay clear for cargo.
More cargo room shows up in the truck bed, of course, which measures six feet long in a space that goes further than most trucks for utility purposes by providing four cargo hooks mounted to the floor and a back lift gate which detaches easily without special tools required.
A check of dimensions reveals that Mazda's truck has a wide stance, with front track of almost five feet. This makes it more stable on the road and brings more shoulder and elbow space inside for passengers.
A strong ladder-type chassis creates a rigid platform for the truck, but then additional full box bracing was applied at the forward section to stiffen it further. Mazda's engineers estimate an improvement in frame stiffness of more than 350 percent over the previous design.
The new independent front suspension, with front long-arm arrangement, mounts to the stiffer chassis. Cushy coil springs come on 4x2 models, with torsion bars added in 4x4 versions to permit more vertical wheel travel. In back, a live axle functions with 2-stage leaf springs to deliver a smoother ride quality on 4x2 editions, but for the 4x4 a multi-leaf spring beefs up settings for rugged action.
Power rack and pinion steering, rarely used on a truck, also increases agility.
New safety systems apply, including the first use of dual airbags for import-class compact pickups. A switch with locking key permits a driver to disconnect the passenger-side airbag whenever a child rides up front.
For stopping Mazda's truck, ventilated discs stand in front of back drums assisted by rear anti-lock system. Discs on all wheels and 4-wheel ABS show up on B4000.
The standard interior layout puts a bench seat with 60/40 split in both SX and SE trims, but one Cab Plus SE option includes twin buckets separated by a floor-mounted console.
Keenly competitive pricing, pegged to teen figures, signifies high value due to so many bonus features.
1998 MAZDA B4000 TRUCK
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1998 MAZDA B SERIES Specs |
| Description: |
Compact pickup truck |
| Model Options: |
Compact pickup truck |
| Wheelbase: |
Regular Cab: 111.6 inches
Cab Plus 4x2: 125.7 inches
Cab Plus 4x4: 125.9 inches |
| Overall Length: |
Reg. Cab 4x2: 187.5 inches
Reg. Cab 4x4: 187.7 inches
Cab Plus 4x2: 202.9 inches
Cab Plus 4x4: 202.7 inches
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| Engine Size: |
OHC 2.5-L I4
OHV 3.0-L V6
OHV 4.0-L V6
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| Transmission: |
2.5-L: Manual/5, Auto/4
3.0-L: Manual/5, Auto/4
4.0-L: Manual/5, Auto/5 |
| Drive: |
4x2 rear, 4x4 |
| Braking: |
Power disc/drum, rear ABS
SE: Power 4-disc/ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
23/28 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 12,000 to $ 20,000 |
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