Mazda 929

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Mazda 929

Automotive industry	Mazda
Production	1973–1998
Assembly	Hiroshima, Japan
Predecessor	Mazda Luce
Successor	Mazda Sentia Mazda Millenia
Car classification	Mid-size (1973-1987) Full-size (1986-1998) Executive car
Automobile layout	FR layout

The Mazda 929 (also sold as the Efini MS-9) was originally a Mid-size car from 1973-1987 and as a Full-size car thereafter. Marketed over three decades, the 929 sometimes shared its chassis with the Wankel engine Mazda Luce.

1973

The first Mazda 929 was introduced in 1973 to replace the piston-powered Mazda Luce, which had become the Mazda Wankel engine RX-4. It was a large (for Japan) Coupe, Sedan (car), and Station wagon powered by a 1.8 Liter (1769 cc) Inline-4 Mazda C engine. Output was 83 Horsepower (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 Kilowatt) and 123 N·m (167 N·m) from a 2 barrel Carburetor. Another option was the Mazda Wankel 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) Mazda C engine I4, 2 barrel, 83 hp (61 kW)/101 ft·lbf (137 N·m)
• 1975- 2.0 L (1970 cc) Mazda F engine I4, 2 barrel, 103 hp (76 kW)/123 ft·lbf (167 N·m)
• 1977-1980 2.0 L Mazda F engine (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 Mazda Wankel engine, 127 hp (93 kW)/138 ft·lbf (188 N·m)

1981

Second generation

Also called	Mazda Luce
Production	1981–1986
Car body style	2-door Coupe 4-door Sedan (car)
Automobile platform	Mazda HB platform
Internal combustion engine	2.0 L Mazda F engine Straight-4 2.0 L Mazda F engine Straight-4
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 Station wagon 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 'Station wagon' and not German language 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 Liter (1970 cc) Mazda F engine Straight-4, 1 barrel, 90 Horsepower (66 KW)/118 ft·lbf (160 N·m)
• 1981-1986 2.0 L (1998 cc) Mazda F engine I4, 2 barrel, 101 hp (74 kW)/115 ft·lbf (156 N·m)
• 1981-1986 2.0 L (1998 cc) Mazda F engine I4, Fuel injection, 118 hp (87 kW)/126 ft·lbf (171 N·m)
• 1986-1987 2.0 L (1998 cc) Mazda F engine I4, Fuel injection, turbo, 120 hp (89 kW)/150 ft·lbf (203 N·m)

1986

Third generation

Also called	Mazda Luce
Production	1986–1991
Car body style	4-door Sedan (car)
Automobile platform	Mazda HC platform
Internal combustion engine	2.0 L Mazda F engine Straight-4 2.2 L Mazda F engine Straight-4 2.0 L Mazda J engine V6 3.0 L Mazda J engine V6
Transmission (mechanics)	4-speed Automatic transmission
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 (70 L; 15 imp 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 United States and Canadian sales in 1988; the only engine option was the 3.0 Liter V6.

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 121mph. A 0-60mph time of 9.2 seconds was recorded using the manual gearbox; the automatics were somewhat slower at 10 seconds.

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 Russia, Asia, and Australia 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 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 SOHC 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 (1998 cc) Mazda F engine I4, FI, 116 hp (85 kW)/121 ft·lbf (164 N·m)
• 1986-1990 2.2 L (2184 cc) Mazda F engine I4, 1 barrel, 115 hp (85 kW)/129 ft·lbf (175 N·m)
• 1986-1990 2.2 L (2184 cc) Mazda F engine I4, FI, 127 hp (93 kW)/141 ft·lbf (192 N·m)
• 2.0 L Mazda J engine V6
• 1986-1991 3.0 L (2954 cc) Mazda J engine V6, FI, 158 hp (121 kW)/182 ft·lbf (247 N·m)
• 3.0 L Mazda J engine V6, FI, 190 hp, 191 lb-ft

1990

Fourth generation

Also called	Mazda Luce Mazda 929 Serenia Mazda Sentia
Production	1991–1996
Car body style	4-door Sedan (car)
Automobile platform	Mazda HD platform
Internal combustion engine	2.5 L Mazda J engine V6 3.0 L Mazda J engine V6 3.0 L Mazda J engine V6
Transmission (mechanics)	4-speed Automatic transmission
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 (70 L; 15 imp gal)
Related	Efini MS-9
Automotive design	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 Mazda Wankel engine 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 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 as the flagship sedan.

Engines:

• 2.5 Liter Mazda J engine V6
• 3.0 L (2954 cc) Mazda J engine V6, SOHC, 160 hp (118 kW)/180 ft·lbf (245 N·m)
• 3.0 L (2954 cc) Mazda J engine 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".

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) Mazda J engine V6, DOHC, 138 kW(185 hp)/270 N·m

External links

• 1992-95 Mazda 929 info at Consumer Guide

References