By the number of Mazda 6 variants we've seen clogging Europe's roads the past week, it looks like Mazda has a worldwide winner. Attempting to strike quickly, while the irons are hot, Mazda used Geneva to introduce the MX Sportif, a sharply styled five-door hatchback. This C-segment vehicle, aimed at the heart of the European market, is powered by a two-liter four that includes a revised intake-exhaust layout, a variable intake system, a tumble swirl control valve, and a high-flow port head. The result is substantial low-end torque and outstanding driving dynamics. The styling and overall design probably hints at the next generation Mazda Protege, due in 2005.
