The History Of Mazda 929


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 rotary Mazda Luce.

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 1.8L (1769 cc) inline-4 Mazda 1800 engine. Output was 83hp (61kW) and 101N·m (137N·m).

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

Engines:

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

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

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 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 Russian, 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 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 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 2.0L (1998cc) FE I4, FI, 116hp (85kW)/ 121ft·lbf (164N·m)
  • 1986-1990 2.2L (2184cc) F2 I4, 1 barrel, 115hp (85kW)/ 129ft·lbf (175N·m)
  • 1986-1990 2.2L (2184cc) F2 I4, FI, 127hp (93kW)/ 141ft·lbf (192N·m)
  • 2.0L JFT V6
  • 1986-1991 3.0L (2954cc) JE V6, FI, 158hp (121kW)/ 182ft·lbf (247N·m)
  • 3.0 L JE V6, FI, 190 hp, 191 lb-ft

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 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:

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

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:

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



From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
More About Mazda 929


Mazda 929 coupe, ca. 1985

1984 Mazda 929

1988-1989 Mazda 929 (US)

1993-1995 Mazda 929 (US)

Mazda 929