Mazda 929

Mazda 929
Overview
Manufacturer	Mazda
Production	1973–1995
Assembly	Hiroshima, Japan
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size
Layout	FR layout
Chronology
Successor	Mazda Millenia

The Mazda 929 (also sold as the ɛ̃fini MS-9) was originally a mid-size car from 1973 to 1987 and as a full-size car thereafter. Marketed over three decades, the 929 was originally the export name for the Mazda Luce. When equipped with a rotary engine, it was called the Mazda RX-4 in export markets. Later, after the "Luce" name disappeared in Japan, the "929" badge was applied to the succeeding Sentia for the few export markets which received the last two generations. The 929 has always been a front-engined, rear-wheel-drive vehicle, and usually the largest sedan sold by Mazda. Station wagon versions of the first and second generations were available.

1973

First generation
Overview
Also called	Mazda Luce
Production	1973–1977
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupé 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Related	Mazda RX-4
Powertrain
Engine	1.8 L VB I4 2.0 L MA I4 2.2 L I4 Diesel
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2510 mm (98.8 in)
Length	4404 mm (173.4 in)
Width	1666 mm (65.6 in)
Curb weight	1095 kg (2414 lb)

The first Mazda 929 was introduced in 1973, as an export name for the piston-engined second generation Mazda Luce, (itself introduced in autumn 1972). When equipped with a rotary engine, the car was called the Mazda RX-4. The first generation Luce had been called the "Mazda 1500" or "Mazda 1800" in export markets, but as engines of different displacement were beginning to be used across lines, such a naming philosophy would have soon become confusing. The 929/Luce was a large (for Japan) coupé, sedan, and station wagon powered by a 1.8 L (1,769 cc) inline-4 Mazda VB engine. Output was 94 hp (69 kW) and 101 lb·ft (137 N·m).

The Luce/929 was updated in 1975 with an optional 2.0 L (1970 cc) engine which produced 103 hp (76 kW) and 123 lb·ft (167 N·m) from a 2-barrel carburetor.

Engines:

• 1973–1977 1.8 L (1,769 cc) VB I4, 2-barrel, 94 hp (69 kW)/101 lb·ft (137 N·m)
• 1975- 2.0 L (1,970 cc) MA I4, 2-barrel, 103 hp (76 kW)/123 lb·ft (167 N·m)

1977

Second generation
Overview
Also called	Mazda Luce Mazda 2000 [1]
Production	1977–1981
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan/hardtop 5-door station wagon
Related	Mazda Cosmo
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L MA I4 2.2 L I4 Diesel

The rebodied Mazda Luce Legato was introduced late in 1977 and became the second generation 929 for export markets, often called the 929L. There was no coupé version developed of this generation, although a four-door hardtop body was available in Japan and some other markets. A station wagon was added in February 1979. The design was American inspired, with stacked rectangular headlights and a large chrome grille. A more efficient 2.0 L I4, producing 90 hp (66 kW) with a single-barrel carb replaced the existing engines. First presented in Japan in October 1979 was a facelifted version with large, rectangular headlights and a more orthodox appearance. The final addition was a 2.2 L Diesel engine in September 1980. Its output was 66 hp (49 kW) and 104 N·m (142 N·m). The 929 was replaced after 1981 by the next generation Luce/929, although the second generation station wagon continued in production until the March 1988 as no estate replacement of subsequent generations was ever developed.

Engines:

• 1977–1981 2.0 L MA (1970 cc) I4, 1-barrel, 90 hp (66 kW)
• 1980–1981 2.2 L Diesel, 66 hp (49 kW)/104 lb·ft (142 N·m)

Facelifted 929L

1981

Third generation
Overview
Also called	Mazda Luce
Production	1981–1986
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupé 4-door sedan/hardtop
Platform	Mazda HB platform
Related	Mazda Cosmo
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L MA I4 2.0 L FE I4

Mazda 929 coupe, ca. 1985

The next generation 929 was introduced to Japan in October 1981 as the Mazda Luce. It was a large front-engine rear-wheel drive sedan or coupé on the new HB platform, which was now shared with the Mazda Cosmo. This version was introduced as the 929 in 1982 in most export markets and produced until 1986, though Japan got a new Luce a year earlier. Luces and Cosmos received several differing front end treatments, with export 929s receiving the very staidest front end designs for 929 sedans and the sportiest flip-up headlight "Cosmo" design for 929 Coupés.

In Europe the 929 was badged 2000 or 2000E (E denoting "estate car"; applied to a facelifted version of the previous generation). The turbo version was never offered in Europe, and neither was the four-door hardtop, although parts of Europe bordering on Eastern Europe and the Middle East did receive it. In Cyprus both the sedan and estate car versions were offered.

Engines:

• 1981–1986 2.0 L (1,970 cc) MA I4, 1-barrel, 90 hp (66 kW)/118 lb·ft (160 N·m)
• 1981–1986 2.0 L (1,998 cc) FE I4, 2-barrel, 101 hp (74 kW)/115 lb·ft (156 N·m)
• 1981–1986 2.0 L (1,998 cc) FE I4, FI, 118 hp (87 kW)/126 lb·ft (171 N·m)
• 1986–1987 2.0 L (1,998 cc) FET I4, FI, turbo, 120 hp (89 kW)/150 lb·ft (203 N·m)

1986

Fourth generation
Pre-facelift Mazda 929 sedan
Overview
Also called	Mazda Luce
Production	1986–1991
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan
Platform	Mazda HC platform
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L FE I4 2.2 L F2 I4 2.0 L JF V6 3.0 L JE V6
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,710 mm (106.7 in)
Length	4,690–4,930 mm (184.6–194.1 in)
Width	1,695–1,725 mm (66.7–67.9 in)
Height	1,440–1,450 mm (56.7–57.1 in)

Mazda 929 hardtop (Turkey)

Pre-facelift Mazda 929 hardtop (Australia)

Pre-facelift Mazda 929 sedan (Australia)

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. and Canadian sales in 1987; although predominantly available as a 3.0 Liter V6, there were a rare few that made it to the North American market as a 4-cylinder 2.2 F2 in a RWD configuration. After 1990, when Chrysler dropped its Fifth Avenue and Dodge Diplomat (both of which had 318-cubic-inch V8 engines) it would exclusively rival the Toyota Cressida until 1992 when Toyota stopped Cressida exports to concentrate on the new Lexus brand.

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 and Canada), the pillarless model was predominantly seen in the Asian and Australian markets.

The Luce Royal Classic (and lesser-spec Limited) was more expensive than its 929 counterpart, featuring greater technical innovation — both were pillarless hardtops. The Royal Classic was factory fitted with a turbocharged 13B Rotary or 2.0 Litre V6 engines, electric leather seats, digital speedometer, a cool-box for canned beverages, prominent emblems, electronically adjustable suspension and power options throughout. In order to satisfy Japanese regulations concerning exterior dimensions and engine displacement, this generation vehicle was built in two versions; the 3.0 V6 was installed in the longer and wider hardtop bodystyle, and the smaller engines, including the rotary engine, were installed in the shorter and narrower sedan bodystyle.

The Canadian 929 came with a 'Winter Package' option and included heated seats, a higher grade alternator, winter tires and non-recessed windshield wipers. A five-speed manual gearbox was an option, but most North American 929s were two-mode ('power' and 'economy') electronic 4-speed automatics. Top speed was 121 mph (195 km/h). A 0-60 mph time of 9.2 seconds was recorded using the manual gearbox; the automatics were somewhat slower at 10 seconds.

The first 3.0-litre V6 engine seen in the 1986–1989 929 was a Single Overhead Cam type with 18 valves. When Mazda released the higher-spec 929S 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, ventilated rear disc brakes and a few inconspicuous changes to the exterior. The standard 18-valve SOHC remained in the base model 929.

Engines:

• 1986–1990 2.0 L (1,998 cc) FE I4, 1-barrel, 82 hp (60 kW)/152 Nm
• 1986–1990 2.0 L (1,998 cc) FE I4, FI, 116 hp (85 kW)/121 lb·ft (164 Nm)
• 1986–1990 2.2 L (2,184 cc) F2 I4, 1-barrel, 115 hp (85 kW)/129 lb·ft (175 Nm)
• 1986–1990 2.2 L (2,184 cc) F2 I4, FI, 127 hp (93 kW)/141 lb·ft (192 Nm)
• 1986–1990 2.2 L (2,184 cc) F2 I4, FI, 136 PS (100 kW)/19.2 kg·m (188 N·m) (non-catalyzed)^[2]
• 2.0 L JFT V6, FI, 110 hp (81 kW)/171 Nm (JDM only)
• 2.0 L JFT V6, FI turbocharged, 146 hp (107 kW)/235 Nm (JDM only)
• 1986–1991 3.0 L (2,954 cc) JE V6, FI, 158 hp (121 kW)/182 lb·ft (247 Nm)
• 3.0 L JE V6, FI, 190 hp, 191 lb·ft (259 N·m)

1991

Fifth generation
Overview
Also called	Mazda 929 Serenia Mazda Sentia Ẽfini MS-9
Production	1991–1995
Designer	Dori Regev, Shunji Tanaka (1988)[3]
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan
Platform	Mazda HD platform
Powertrain
Engine	2.5 L J5 V6 3.0 L JE V6 3.0 L JE-ZE V6
Transmission	4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	112.2 in (2,850 mm)
Length	193.7 in (4,920 mm)
Width	70.7 in (1,796 mm)
Height	54.9 in (1,394 mm)

1992 model year Mazda 929 Serenia, Canada. Note: this was the only car to carry the Mazda "diamond" badge from 1992, only for the updated more "diamond" badge (a smoother version) to appear on all 1993 models.

1991–1992 Mazda 929, Australia

In 1987, development began on the fifth generation 929. Design work took place under chief designer Shunji Tanaka, until December 24, 1988 when a final design by Dori Regev was approved. In 1989, Regev's design was frozen for 1991 production, with prototype testing commencing in 1990.

The HD generation of the 929 appeared in June 1991, with the smaller four-cylinder engines dropped in favour of V6 engines only.^[4] It was sold as the Mazda Sentia in Japan but was also available as the Ẽfini MS-9 under Mazda's ill-fated diversification plan. There was no longer a rotary-engined sedan version, and the Cosmo got a new platform as well. In Canada, the car was known as the 929 Serenia.

The Mazda 929 was available with ABS, full electrics, cruise, 4WS, 4WD (in some markets), as well as a 'solar vent' that vents the heat from the car.

The Sentia continued for one more generation, but importation of the 929 to North America stopped in 1995 with the front-wheel drive Mazda Millenia remaining at the top of the company's lineup. The 929 was withdrawn from North America due to a lack of interest in non-luxury brand Japanese imports of this size, evidenced by the withdrawal of the Toyota Cressida in 1992. For North America, it was the last remaining mainstream rear-wheel drive sedan with a V6 engine, though smoother straight-six designs continued in European cars until the Chrysler 300 was unveiled in 2003.

During the early 1990s 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 in North America as the flagship sedan, but the Millenia is front-wheel drive. 929 Serenia sales ended in Canada after the 1994 model year, and the United States followed suit in the 1995 model year.

Engines:

• 2.5 L J5 V6
• 3.0 L (2,954 cc) JE V6, SOHC, 160 hp (118 kW)/180 lb·ft (245 N·m)
• 3.0 L (2,954 cc) JE26 V6, DOHC, 205 hp (151 kW)/200 lb·ft (272 N·m)

1995

Sixth generation
Overview
Also called	Mazda Sentia
Production	1995–1997
Designer	Dori Regev (1991)
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan
Platform	Mazda HE platform
Powertrain
Engine	3.0 L JE-ZE V6
Transmission	4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	112.2 in (2,850 mm)
Length	193.7 in (4,920 mm)
Width	70.7 in (1,796 mm)
Height	54.9 in (1,394 mm)

The final HE generation of the 929 appeared in Japan in December 1995 and Australia in April 1996.^[5] The engine remained a carry-over, and the dimensions of the vehicle were identical to the previous model. Production remained short; exports 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 (2,954 cc) JE26 V6, DOHC, 138 kW (185 hp)/270 N·m

Today

As of April 2013, there are only nine 929s registered in the United Kingdom.

488 929s were registered in 2001, but took a sharp downturn in 2008, it going down to 28.

However, this could be argued that the sales were slow in Britain, never achieving the sales of rivals, such as the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6, as well as another German rival, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mazda 929.

• 1992-95 Mazda 929 info at Consumer Guide