Mazda 929

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Mazda 929
Manufacturer	Mazda
Production	1973–1998
Assembly	Hiroshima, Japan
Predecessor	Mazda Luce
Successor	Mazda Sentia Mazda Millenia
Class	Mid-size (1973-1987) Full-size (1986-1998) Executive car
Layout	FR layout

The Mazda 929 (also sold as the Efini MS-9) was originally a mid-size car from 1973-1987, and became a full-size luxury car after that. Sold for three decades, the 929 sometimes shared its chassis with the rotary Mazda Luce.

[edit] 1973

The first Mazda 929 was introduced in 1973 to replace the piston-powered Mazda Luce, which had become the rotary RX-4. It was a large (for Japan) coupe, sedan, and station wagon powered by a 1.8 L (1769 cc) inline-4 Mazda 1800 engine. Output was 83 hp (61 kW) and 101 N·m (137 N·m).

The Luce was updated in 1975 with an optional 2.0 L (1970 cc) engine which produced 103 hp (76 kW) and 123 N·m (167 N·m) from a 2 barrel carburetor. Another option was the 13B rotary engine, producing 127 hp (93 kW) and 138 N·m (188 N·m). A more efficient 2.0 L I4, producing 90 hp (66 kW) with a single-barrel carb, was added in 1977. The final addition was a 2.2 L Diesel engine for 1980. Its output was 66 hp (49 kW) and 104 N·m (142 N·m). The 929 was replaced after 1979 by the next generation Luce/929.

Engines:

• 1973-1980 1.8 L (1769 cc) 1800 I4, 2 barrel, 83 hp (61 kW)/101 ft·lbf (137 N·m)
• 1975- 2.0 L (1970 cc) F/MA I4, 2 barrel, 103 hp (76 kW)/123 ft·lbf (167 N·m)
• 1977-1980 2.0 L F/MA (1970 cc) I4, 1 barrel, 90 hp (66 kW)
• 1980-1981 2.2 L Diesel, 66 hp (49 kW)/104 ft·lbf (142 N·m)
• 1975-1981 13B, 127 hp (93 kW)/138 ft·lbf (188 N·m)

[edit] 1981

Second generation
Also called	Mazda Luce
Production	1981–1986
Body style(s)	2-door coupe 4-door sedan
Platform	Mazda HB platform
Engine(s)	2.0 L F/MA I4 2.0 L FE I4
Related	Mazda Cosmo

The next generation 929 was introduced in 1981, remaining an export version of the Mazda Luce. It was a large front-engine rear-wheel drive sedan or estate car on the new HB platform with the Mazda Cosmo. This version was introduced in 1982 in some markets and produced until 1986, though Japan got a new Luce a year earlier.

In Europe the 929 was badged 2000 or 2000E (E denoting 'estate car' and not German Einspritzung "injection, unlike Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The turbo version was never offered in Europe, neither was the saloon (although parts of Europe bordering on Eastern Europe and the Middle East received the saloon version. Cyprus got both the sedan and estate car versions.

Engines:

• 1981-1986 2.0 L (1970 cc) F/MA I4, 1 barrel, 90 hp (66 kW)/118 ft·lbf (160 N·m)
• 1981-1986 2.0 L (1998 cc) FE I4, 2 barrel, 101 hp (74 kW)/115 ft·lbf (156 N·m)
• 1981-1986 2.0 L (1998 cc) FE I4, FI, 118 hp (87 kW)/126 ft·lbf (171 N·m)
• 1986-1987 2.0 L (1998 cc) FET I4, FI, turbo, 120 hp (89 kW)/150 ft·lbf (203 N·m)

[edit] 1986

Third generation
Also called	Mazda Luce
Production	1986–1991
Body style(s)	4-door sedan
Platform	Mazda HC platform
Engine(s)	2.0 L FE I4 2.2 L F2 I4 2.0 L JF V6 3.0 L JE V6
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	106.7 in (2710 mm)
Length	1988-89: 193.1 in (4905 mm) 1990-91: 194.1 in (4930 mm)
Width	1988-89: 66.9 in (1699 mm) 1990-91: 67.9 in (1725 mm)
Height	54.5 in (1384 mm)
Fuel capacity	18.5 US gal.

The 929 was updated in 1986 (1987 in some markets) with the HC platform and a 3.0 Liter V6 engine. The car was produced through 1991, again lagging behind its Japan-market twin, the Mazda Luce, by one year. The 929 began U.S. sales in 1988.

Oddly, the HC platform came out in two variations during its five year span that had identical engines and interior but with two distinct body shapes; a pillared four-door sedan as well as a slightly larger pillarless four-door Hardtop. While the pillared model was common in all countries that allowed the importation of the 929 (including the US), the pillarless model was predominantly seen in the Russian, Asian, and Oceanic markets.

The Luce Royal Classic (and lesser-spec Limited) was a much more luxurious and expensive affair than its 929 counterpart - while externally both were hardtops (ie: pillarless), the Luce had a great deal of technical innovation over its standard 929 sister. The Royal Classic could be factory fitted with a 13B Rotary or a 2.0 Litre V6 turbo engine, electric leather seats, digital speedometer, a cool-box for canned beverages, prominent emblems, electronically adjustable suspension and power options throughout.

The first 3.0 Litre V6 engine seen in the 1986-1989 929 was a Single Overhead Cam type with 18 valves. When Mazda revised the same model for the 1990-1991 period, the engine was upgraded to a Double Overhead Cam type with 24 valves, slightly increasing fuel economy, performance and reliability. Also in the revised edition came the presence of an anti-lock braking system, electric antenna and a few inconspicuous changes to the exterior.

Engines:

• 1986-1990 2.0 L (1998 cc) FE I4, FI, 116 hp (85 kW)/121 ft·lbf (164 N·m)
• 1986-1990 2.2 L (2184 cc) F2 I4, 1 barrel, 115 hp (85 kW)/129 ft·lbf (175 N·m)
• 1986-1990 2.2 L (2184 cc) F2 I4, FI, 127 hp (93 kW)/141 ft·lbf (192 N·m)
• 2.0 L JFT V6
• 1986-1991 3.0 L (2954 cc) JE V6, FI, 158 hp (121 kW)/182 ft·lbf (247 N·m)

[edit] 1990

Fourth generation
Also called	Mazda Luce Mazda 929 Serenia Mazda Sentia
Production	1991–1996
Body style(s)	4-door sedan
Platform	Mazda HD platform
Engine(s)	2.5 L J5 V6 3.0 L JE V6 3.0 L JE-ZE V6
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	112.2 in (2850 mm)
Length	193.7 in (4920 mm)
Width	70.7 in (1796 mm)
Height	54.9 in (1394 mm)
Fuel capacity	18.5 US gal.
Related	Efini MS-9
Designer	Dori Regev

1992 Mazda 929 Serenia (Canada). Note this was the only car to carry the Mazda "Diamond" badge from 1992, only for the updated "Diamond" badge (a smoothered out version) to appear on all 1993 models.

The HD generation of the 929 appeared in 1990. It remained a roomy rear wheel drive vehicle with V6 power. It was sold as the Efini MS-9 under Mazda's ill-fated diversification plan. There was no longer a Luce rotary version, and the Cosmo got a new platform as well. A new model, the Sentia, appeared on the same platform. In Canada, the car was known as the 929 Serenia.

The Sentia continued for one more generation, but importation of the 929 to North America stopped in 1995 with the Mazda Millenia remaining at the top of the company's lineup.

During the early 1990's Mazda had considered introducing its own luxury brand, Amati, to compete with Lexus, Infiniti and Acura but later withdrew their plans. The 929 was replaced by the Mazda Millenia as the flagship sedan.

Engines:

• 2.5 L J5 V6
• 3.0 L (2954 cc) JE V6, SOHC, 160 hp (118 kW)/180 ft·lbf (245 N·m)
• 3.0 L (2954 cc) JE26 V6, DOHC, 198 hp (151 kW)/200 ft·lbf (272 N·m)

The 1990 Mazda 929 in popular culture:

The 1990 929 appears ( re-named as "Merit" ) as a driveable vehicle in the highly popular video game "Grand Theft Auto San Andreas".

[edit] 1996

The final HE generation of the 929 appeared in April 1996. The engine remained a carry-over, and the dimensions of the vehicle were identical to the previous model. Production remained short; imports were halted in 1997 due to poor sales and an increasingly high price tag (in its final year the 929's price had increased to over $83,000 in the Australian market - about the same price as an entry-level BMW 5-Series).

Engines:

• 3.0 L (2954 cc) JE26 V6, DOHC, 138 kW(185 hp)/270 N·m

[edit] External links

• 1992-95 Mazda 929 info at Consumer Guide

[edit] References