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Manufacturer Brochure - 1998 Mazda B-Series Trucks
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| ALL-NEW 1998 MAZDA B-SERIES PICKUP TRUCK BOASTS SPORTIER LOOK, MORE REFINED FEEL - Dramatically Styled New Truck to Go on Sale This Fall - |
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| Updated |
Jun 3, 2004 17:13:00 |
| Rating |
 433 ( 40 +9.23% ) |
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Description:
Mazda trucks have long been renowned for their durability and reliability, but with the introduction of the dramatically styled new 1998 B-Series pickup truck, they're about to become just as well known for their style and sporty flair. The all-new truck features a dynamic look that sets it apart from the rest of the compact truck segment.
The new B-Series has the substance to back up its style, and with a more spacious interior, improved ride and handling and a choice of a more powerful base engine or two V6 engines, is poised to take on the top import-brand competitors from Toyota and Nissan.
"We believe this new B-Series truck has the credentials to be a top player in the hotly contested compact truck segment," said Richard Beattie, CEO of Mazda's North American operations. "Not only do Behave the style that will make truck buyers take notice, but we'll be able to back it up with a level of refinement that's unheard of in this class. We'll also continue to offer exceptional value and reliability."
The 1998 Mazda B-Series truck received its sporty and rugged good looks from designers at Mazda's research and development facility in Irvine, Calif. This design studio was also responsible for the Miata roadster and MPV All-Sport sport utility van.
"Our design objective was to differentiate the new Mazda B-Series truck from the other trucks in this segment," said Tom Matano, executive vice president of the Irvine R&D center. "In many ways, the compact pickup has become a Nineties sports car- a vehicle that emphasizes and enhances the carefree, active lifestyle of its owner. We believe we have captured this youthful attitude with the dynamic and sporty looks of our new truck."
The styling of the new B-Series takes into consideration the differences between import brand and domestic brand truck buyers. Mazda's research showed that import brand buyers tend to prefer a lower, more horizontal look to their trucks, while domestic brand shoppers preferred a more upright appearance. As a result, the 1998 B-Series has a light, lean look with the grille and headlights blending into a single band across the front of the truck. The front fender line rises from this band and stretches back to the doors, further emphasizing the horizontal theme.
The muscular-looking sculpted sides of the standard six-foot bed give the 1998 B-Series a sporty, custom-truck appearance, yet they do not compromise the cargo capacity of the bed. "We have tried to make the bed of The new B-Series more than just a slab-sided box on the back of the truck," said Matano. "The sides of the box tuck in just behind the cab, then flare out over the wheels, giving the truck a muscular, aggressive stance. It looks like nothing else on the road."
The 1998 Mazda B-Series trucks are available in two trim levels - SX and SE - and two cab configurations, regular cab and the popular Cab Plus extended cab. B-Series models are designated by their engine size: B2500 models are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, B3000 models are equipped with a 3.0-liter V6 engine and B4000 models feature a torquey 4.0-liter V6 engine. A choice of two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive is also available.
The ride and handling of the 1998 B-Series trucks promise to be among the best in the compact truck segment. Frame stiffness has been improved by more than 350 percent, due to full boxing of the forward section of the frame rails. This increased rigidity allows the spring rates and shock absorbers to be retuned for better ride and handling, improved cornering and enhanced straight-line stability.
A new short-long arm front suspension delivers a smoother ride and, coupled with the new rack-and-pinion steering, more precise steering control. Two-wheel drive models feature coil springs in the front suspension, while 4x4 models are equipped with torsion bars for increased ground clearance and additional wheel travel. While somewhat costlier, the decision to use two different types of springs provides a noticeable customer benefit in terms of consistent road feel and improved off-road use. The rear suspension is a live axle located by leaf springs. On 4x2 models, the leaf springs are a smoother riding two-stage design, while 4x4 models feature a more rugged multi-leaf design. A front antiroll bar is standard on all B-Series trucks while a rear antiroll bar is standard on all 4x4 models.
Three engines will be offered in the 1998 Mazda B-Series truck: a new, 119-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that is smoother and quieter than the previous base engine, a 150-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 that has been retuned for 14 percent more torque (185 foot-pounds) and a 160-horsepower 4.0-liter V6 that delivers more torque (225 foot-pounds) than any import-brand competitor. Mazda B-Series trucks equipped with the 2.5-liter engine, returnless fuel system and automatic transmission, qualify as Low Emission Vehicles and Transitional Low Emission Vehicles according to California Air Resource Board requirements.
A choice oftransmissions is offered for the 1998 Mazda B-Series trucks. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on all models and features carbon-fiber-lined synchronizer blocker rings for smoother shifts and improved shift feel. B2500 and B3000 models may be equipped with an optional four-speed automatic transmission while B4000 models are available with a five-speed automatic transmission, one of only two trucks in this class to offer this advanced transmission.
1998 Mazda B-Series 4x4 models feature a new pulse vacuum hub-lock (PVH) front axle system - the industry's first use of this technology. With PVH, the system can be quickly and quietly engaged with no need to stop or back up. The PVH system also improves fuel economy in two-wheel-drive mode, reduces maintenance requirements and is less complex than the previous system. The PVH system may be engaged at speeds up to 70 mph.
The interior of regular cab models has been extended by three inches, is B-Series audio system is the Radio Broadcast Data System (RBDS),which can seek radio stations by program type, display the station by name and program type and interrupt CD or tape with a traffic alert. The system only works with RBDS-capable radio stations.
The new 1998 Mazda B-Series trucks, which are built in Edison, N.J., feature a comprehensive three-year/50,000-mile warranty that covers every part on the vehicle except those subject to normal wear. In addition, the B-Series trucks are covered by a five-year/unlimited-mileage corrosion warranty.
Mazda North American Operations, formerly known as Mazda Motor of America, is responsible for the research and development, sales and marketing, and customer parts and service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., MNAO has approximately 850 dealerships nationwide and is owned by Mazda Motor Corporation, Hiroshima, Japan. |
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