All-New 1998 Mazda B-Series Pickup Truck Boasts Sportier Look, More Refined Feel
3 February 1998
All-New 1998 Mazda B-Series Pickup Truck Boasts Sportier Look, More Refined Feel
Dramatically Styled New Truck to Go on Sale This Fall
IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 3 -- 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 we have 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.O-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 of transmissions 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,
permitting additional seat travel and rake for more driver comfort. With
extra interior room, the Mazda B-Series trucks now offer spaciousness
unrivaled by any import-brand compact pickup truck. An added benefit is
increased storage area inside the cab. A new storage tray is standard on all
regular cab B-series models to take advantage of the room behind the seat. SE
regular cab models receive a second storage tray behind the driver's seat for
even greater flexibility. Cab Plus SE models feature a storage tray with two
cupholders built into the back wall of the cab.
Every 1998 Mazda B-Series truck is equipped with a stylish, modern
instrument panel that would be equally at home in a sport sedan or sport
utility vehicle. The gauge cluster is large and clearly marked in white-on-
black for easy readability. A speedometer, fuel gauge, coolant temperature
gauge, voltmeter and oil pressure gauge are standard, while a tachometer is
added on 4x2 SE models and all 4x4 models. Cruise control, with the buttons
conveniently located on the steering wheel, is available as part of an option
package on SE models.
The seats in the 1998 B-Series have been redesigned for added comfort in
both on- and off-road conditions. Three different configurations are offered:
vinyl split bench, cloth split bench with arm rest and sport bucket seats with
floor console and arm rest. All Cab Plus models are equipped with side-facing
fold-down rear jump seats, providing seating for up to five passengers.
The 1998 Mazda B-Series comes standard with dual air bag supplemental
restraint systems and is the first import brand vehicle in its class to offer
a passenger-side air bag deactivation switch, which allows the driver to
disconnect the passenger-side air bag when transporting children. In
addition, all 1998 Mazda B-Series trucks carry de-powered air bags.
The audio systems in the B-Series provide a new range of features,
including an in-dash CD player and cassette player with 80 watts of power
driving through four speakers. A new feature on this 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.
SOURCE Mazda Information Bureau