Callaway Is Mazda's Engine Partner of Choice for New Turbocharged MAZDASPEED PROTEGE

NEW YORK, March 28 -- Callaway Cars has been selected by Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) as the engine and system development partner for the new MAZDASPEED PROTEGE. The prototype vehicle debuts at the 2002 New York International Auto Show. The MAZDASPEED PROTEGE is a sport compact with strong youth market appeal, including distinctive fun-to-drive character and a wealth of serious performance features. Chief among these is the show car's spirited turbocharged DOHC four-cylinder powertrain, featuring an estimated 170 bhp and 160 lbs.-ft. of peak torque. The new Turbo engine application -- developed, tested and validated at Callaway's Old Lyme, CT engineering headquarters -- is the latest chapter in Callaway's recent OEM partnership success stories. Leading automotive brands like Chevrolet, Land Rover and Holden Special Vehicles have all selected Callaway for major product programs and special edition projects.

Collaborative Performance Engineering Drives Callaway Advanced Technology

Callaway's Advanced Technology group was charged with creating a production-ready engine application that could live up to the performance promise of the MAZDASPEED name. To achieve Mazda's maximum performance targets, Callaway tapped into 26 years of expertise in developing both race winning and street proven turbocharger systems. As with all Callaway projects, every phase of development was based on the company's fundamental engineering goals: excellent power and driveability, strong durability and full emissions compliance. Working side-by-side with MNAO's own engineering experts, Callaway succeeded in developing an engine that has the potential to deliver a significant improvement in 0-60 mph acceleration time and quarter-mile top speed over its 130 bph naturally-aspirated counterpart.

To achieve these engine characteristics Callaway's engineers applied their in-house arsenal of sophisticated engineering software to every stage of the engine package development. Critical design steps like parametric modeling of intake and exhaust components and assembly and packaging of turbocharger components were conducted in record time, using PTC's Pro/ENGINEER® software. Pro/E software solutions gave Callaway engineers powerful Intuitive Direct Modeling capability, combined with advanced assembly abilities, for top-down modular assembly design. Engineers easily validated component design by transforming engineering drawing files into plastic rapid prototype parts.

``One of Callaway's great strengths is our team's ability to fully exploit all the benefits of today's incredible computer engineering technologies, while sticking to our philosophy that great engines require a craftsman's intuition,'' said Michael Zoner, managing director of Callaway Cars. ``Pure and simply-our people have a passion for the almost human qualities of a powertrain-its pulse, its voice, its complex relationship with all the other components and systems. It's this dedication to old-world engineering values that really strikes a note of differentiation with our OEM customers.''

Intensive Testing and Validation Part of All Callaway Engine Development

Programs

Callaway Advanced Technology offers OEM customers full testing and validation capabilities at every step of an engine development cycle, including engine and chassis dynamometer testing, on road and on-track vehicle performance and driveability evaluations, and component testing-such as fluid mechanical and thermal dynamic analysis. Callaway engineers are also highly skilled in powertrain control module programming and are able to optimize every element of the vehicle's operations for the engine application. Every performance engine developed at Callaway, even those with the most aggressive performance targets, never compromise predictable on-road vehicle behavior

Callaway High Performance Engines

Callaway has been developing and assembling sophisticated high-performance engines for some of the world's best-known brands. Most recently, Callaway engineers created a new 6.2 liter 480-hp LS6-based V8, a ``stroked'' derivative of the Callaway-tuned LS1 5.7-liter V8 that powered the Holden Racing Team GTS to victory at Bathurst, Australia's most prestigious annual race for standard passenger cars. Callaway's relationship with HSV dates back to 1999, when the company developed a 405-hp LS1 engine for the highly successful HSV GTS. Since then, Callaway has produced nearly 2,000 high-performance engines for HSV.

Callaway also developed a special supercharged engine application as part of its SEMA show car, the Callaway Freelander. Featuring extensive exterior and under-the-hood Callaway modifications, the show car enjoyed an enthusiastic media reception and is currently being considered for future production.

About Callaway Companies

Callaway Companies' (www.callawaycars.com) world-class engineering team blends master craftsmanship with the latest automated technologies at its U.S. headquarters in Old Lyme, CT. The 18,000 square-foot facility is home to two core business units:

Callaway Cars caters to the enthusiast market through team-based development of limited edition, high-performance automotive, motorcycle and marine products for both OEM and retail customers. In collaborative effort among all Callaway entities, this team designs and builds the Callaway C12 super sports car, and its GT racer sibling, the Callaway C12R.

Callaway Advanced Technology (CAT) supports OEM engineering needs by delivering a full range of rapid and efficient contract engineering services, with special focus on high-performance parts and systems. CAT offers the latest in computer-aided design applications, in-house machining, craftsman-quality assembly and complete dynamometer and validation services. CAT's in-house team of engineers has access to the latest technologies and equipment, including such leading software solutions as PTC's PRO/Engineer®.

Callaway maintains its focus on racing activities through its Leingarten, Germany, based affiliate, Callaway Competition GmbH. The subsidiary builds world-class Sports GT competition cars, including the Callaway C12R (in conjunction with Callaway Cars and CAT). Callaway Competition features the latest in advanced composite structure design, fabrication and molding, and offers in-house construction of components. It also offers complete motorsports preparation and set-up services, along with a heritage of successfully competing in many of the world's great endurance races, including the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.

SOURCE: Callaway Cars