I.C.E – “In Car Entertainment”, somewhat of a lost art in Grenada that doesn’t have the appeal and enthusiasm to the masses it once did. Kimron has been dabbling in car audio for many years and started as a teen, but long gone are the days of installing a CD-deck in mom’s Suzuki! Grenada is home to a relatively small group of serious car audio enthusiasts. I know a lot of cars and vans, and even public transport buses have some “mad pung” but that’s not what I’m talking about; I’m referring to the overly neat-meticulous-no bar too high-no task too daunting, type of installer, which when you get a chance to experience their install, not only are the audio parameters astounding, but damn does that shit look good!

A little history lesson on the car: From Japan the car already had that “tuner” look. A sporty front/rear bumper, low side moldings/skirts, and optional hatch spoiler, makes one neat hatch. Branded by Mazda as a Limited Edition Mazda Familia S-Wagon (Sport 20 model), it came equipped with an aftermarket carbon fiber hood, Euro Alloy colored 17” wheels, Ractive exhaust, and JBL Pro Audio 6x9 Limited Edition Loud Speakers. The factory name for the dazzling color is “Sunburst Yellow”. Here are a few other manufacturer specifications:

General:

Body type:                                          Wagon
Drive:                                                  FF
Transmission:                                      Electronic control 4 speed automatic (active matic)
Displacement, cc:                                1991
Frame:                                                 GF-BJFW-FST

Engine:

Displacement, cc:                                1991
Engine model:                                     FS-ZE
Max. power (Net), kw(PS)/rpm:         170 ps or 168 bhp (125.04 kw) / 6800 rpm
Max. torque (Net), N*m(kg*m)/rpm: 18.4 kg*m or 133 ft. lb.(180.44 N*m) / 5000 rpm
Power density:                                    7.12
Engine type:                                        Water cooling serial 4 cylinder DOHC16 valve
Compression ratio:                              10.4
Bore, mm:                                           83
Stroke, mm:                                         92

Suspension & Brakes

Suspension system, front:                   McPherson type
Suspension system, rear:                     Strut type
Braking system, front:                         Ventilated disc
Braking system, rear:                          Disc

Source: Auto.vl.ru - Japanese Cars

Link: http://english.auto.vl.ru/catalog/mazda/familia_s-wagon/1999_8/15021/

A pretty decent ride it was. With the utility of a family sedan, performance comparable to the average sport compact, and the practicality and reliability to be daily driven, few persons if ever given the opportunity to own this ride would ever tamper with the intricacies of panels and fabric that Mazda’s engineers have put together; Kimron is definitely one of those few persons! Let’s have a further look.

Gaining full unlimited access to this Mazda Familia 323 S-Wagon (Sport20) was more fun than we expected. Kimron handed us the keys, asked no questions, and we were off to various locations for the photoshoot. Kimron really created the ultimate mobile boom box, from custom fiberglass door panels to house aftermarket speakers to a custom amplifier rack for some huge Rockford Fosgate equipment. Fiberglass was worked to house the woofers and amplifiers and was intricately designed to mesh harmoniously with the factory interior/exterior. We looked thoroughly but could not find any loose cables; truly music that not only sounded good but looked good. Down to the fine details of his gauge installation and custom fiberglass work is really astounding. Small yellow musical notes adorned the custom fiberglass housings which tastefully added to the overall look of the interior. The depth of his bass and the clarity of his mid range can only be described as sound in its finest quality. I am not an avid audiophile per say but anyone can appreciate this undeniably superb car audio install.

The car drives smoothly even with the 18” wheels and low-profile rubber. The interior is clean, and spacious, and the car accelerates quickly; definitely a fun and practical car to own. However, a few hundred pounds of car audio equipment behind the hatch is not so practical, but this hatch was never meant for groceries, let alone practicality. The rear suspension of the car had to be lifted to accommodate the added extra weight from the audio components. Brake rotors and suspension were upgraded making everything fit together like pieces to a puzzle. Let’s have a look at the details of Kimron’s current install:

Head Unit:                                          Pioneer 9800BT CD/MP3 Player

EQ:                                                     Audio Control EQS Trunk Mount Equaliser

Line Driver:                                       Audio Control Matrix

Amps:                                                 Rockford Fosgate  x 4

Speakers:                                           18 Sound 8inch Speakers x 4
Audio Bahn 6.5” Coaxials

Tweeters:                                            Kicker 04SS30 x 2 / Bullet tweeters x 2

Subs:                                                   RE Audio 12” x 2

Installation Accessories:                    Strictly Stinger

Digital Volt Meters:                           Mobile Spec

Sound Dampening:                           Dynamat

Power:                                                Stinger SP1700 Battery

Fiberglass Fabrication:                     Kimron w/ the help of Allan & Anil of Pegs Enterprise

Other Car Mods/Upgrades:

Kyowa Design KR2206 18” Wheels

Falken Ziex ZE-512 tires

Mazda Protégé Black Altezza Tail Lights

Carbon Fiber Hood

Complete HID Lighting System

Eurolite White Underglow

Street Glow Strobes

OBX Racing Headers

Brembo Rotors

Espelir Active Down Springs

Swoosh Gauges (Volt meter & Oil Pressure)

Viper Responder Series Car Security System

To wrap your head around how obsessive compulsive Kimron is about his car audio, think about this: he bought the car (a hatchback) to suit the requirements of his car audio build. In fact, his previous car was a Mazda wagon very similar to this one, except it housed a 1.5L engine which could not bear the weight of such a comprehensive install, especially since he frequently makes country-side runs. So the previous hatch could fit this visionary install, but it could not lug it around.

Kimron has really set the bar where car audio is concerned. We think that he has set up the perfect car in terms of looks, reliability, fun-factor, music, and is a pioneer in the small sect of car audio enthusiasts in Grenada. All this car really needs is a built engine, AEM Engine Management System, GT28RS (disco potato) and some boost, but that’s another story and another article for another time; maybe when Kimron decides to try his hand at something else that we are sure he will excel at.

Thanks again Kimron for letting us share your car and installation with the tuners out there. Be sure to look out for a Yellow Mazda near you, it will be hard to miss.