Protege produces final platinum

MAZDA has released the fourth and final model in its Platinum Edition series, this time applying the limited edition sports pack to the 323 Protégé.

The Platinum Edition Protege - of which just 400 examples will be offered - adds a rear spoiler, 15-inch alloy wheels and front foglights to the features already standard in the 1.8-litre 323 Protégé.

The revised interior borrows heavily from the Astina SP20, picking up white-faced instrument dials, a leather-wrapped Nardi steering wheel, two-tone seat upholstery, aluminium-finish dash/console trim and floor mats front and rear.

Pricing starts at $26,990 for the manual and $28,820 for the automatic, while only two exterior colours are available - Platinum Silver and Innocent Blue.

As the Platinum Edition model series draws to a close, Mazda is moving on to its next sales-boosting campaign - a retail offer dubbed "On a Roll".

Supported by a new television advertisement, the offer ups Mazda's standard warranty on all passenger cars and Tribute four-wheel drive models to four years/unlimited kilometres.

Specific models to benefit from the campaign include the 626 automatic versions now priced the same as the for the manual, while the Premacy can be picked up for $26,490 driveaway with free alloy wheels.

On the commercial vehicle front, Mazda is hoping to lure primary producers with the return of the limited edition Boss version of the diesel-powered four-wheel drive Bravo cab chassis.

The Boss features a bull bar, timber and steel tray, tow bar and air conditioning for $26,490, an increase of $330 on the standard model, although this price is for primary producers only.