Mazda 626
Encyclopedia
The Mazda 626 is an automobile
that was produced by Mazda
for the export market. It was based on the Japan
-market Mazda Capella
. The 626 replaced the 616/618 and RX-2
in 1979 and was sold through 2002, when the new Mazda6 took over as Mazda's large family car. 4,345,279 of the 626 and Ford Telstar models were sold worldwide.
The 626 was also sold as the Ford Telstar
in Asia
, Australasia
and Southern Africa
, but was later replaced by the Europe
an-sourced Ford Mondeo
. While in Europe
it was always considered a large family car
, in North America
the first two generations of the 626 were compact car
s, and the third, fourth and fifth were mid-size car
s.
, each lasting just a single year. By 1980, the American public was ready for a compact piston-engined Mazda, and the 626 has been a top seller for the marque ever since.
with an 80 hp 2.0 L SOHC straight-4
F/MA engine and featuring a split-folding rear seat.
The coupe and sedan were mechanically identical with front MacPherson struts and a solid axle in back mounted on four links and riding on coil springs, either a 5-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission and recirculating ball
steering.
Mazda facelifted the CB series 626 in 1980. The update brought flush-fitting headlamps and a new grille
insert. The grille was lengthened slightly to remove the body-colored gap between the headlamps and grille on the original model. It was also reduced in height so that the grille and headlamps formed a single "band" across the front-end.
by Motor Trend
magazine and Car of the Year
by Wheels
magazine for 1983. The new 2.0 L FE engine was up to 83 hp for the North American market. In other regions including Finland, the 626 offered 101 hp with a twin barrel carburetor. The rear suspension was now independent
, and though the wheelbase remained the same as the previous model, it was an entirely different car. A SOHC non-turbo diesel 2.0 L
RF 66 hp
(49 kW
) engine was made available; twenty examples were imported officially into Australia from 1983 to 1987. European markets also received a 1.6 L F6 80 hp engine.
A 626 GT (also called the Turbo) was introduced in 1986 using the 120 hp and 150 lbft FET engine. The rest of the line got a new front clip with dual (rather than quad) headlights and an entirely new interior, and fuel injection
on the base engine meant 93 hp. A new four-speed automatic was introduced for 1987, the last year of this series.
, it was available as a sedan, Station Wagon (Estate) and five-door hatchback while the coupé was renamed MX-6
for the North American market. The MX-6 was built in Michigan
alongside its platform-mate, the Ford Probe
at AutoAlliance International
, while the 626 was still a Japanese import.
Consumer response was strong, and Car and Driver
magazine named the 626 and MX-6 in their Ten Best list
for 1988.
Engines were new, though still emphasized torque rather than power. The base model now used Mazda's 110-horsepower 2.2 L 3-valve
SOHC F2 producing just 6 hp shy of the old Turbo, and the new Turbo was up to 145 hp. European versions used 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 (non-turbo) engines. The GT model had a 2.0 liter FE-DOHC engine that produced 148 (non-cat) or 140 hp (cat).
4-wheel-steering
was introduced to the 626 Turbo in 1988 (to mixed reviews) and was transferred to the MX-6 Turbo a year later. Mazda's system was electronic and more complex than the 4WS system introduced by Honda
on the 1988 Prelude
; these two marked the first 4WS systems for the American market. This system was still available in Japanese markets for some time after.
It came in 3 bodies: Sedan (Saloon), Hatchback and Station Wagon (Estate). The Station wagon also having a 7 seat option. All of the bodies also had an ABS option. the final face lift was available with a driver airbag.
The 626 line was face-lifted for 1990 and gained motorized seat-belts in the USA market. 626 hatchbacks disappeared after 1991 from the US Mazda model range. The Station Wagon (Estate) was still available up until 94.
UK
trim levels were LX (1.8-litre), GLX (1.8/2.0) and GT (2.0/2.2). There was also an estate model with either the 2.0i 8v or 16v engine, or the 2.2 12v.
magazine's Car of the Year
for a second time in 1992. The very first 1993 Mazda 626 was assembled in Flat Rock, Michigan
on September 1, 1992. The car was known as the Cronos
in Canada
, but dropped the Cronos for the 1996 model year.
New transmissions were designed to give the car more of a "sports car" feel, and production was moved to AutoAlliance International
alongside the MX-6 and Ford Probe
. This, and the car's component sources, allowed the 626 to be certified as the first official Japanese-branded U.S. domestic automobile. The wagon and hatchback models were not offered in the U.S. but were well received in Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Mazda's 2.5 L V6 engine
(enlarged from the 1.8 L V6 on the 1992 MX-3
) debuted to rave reviews. The Japanese MX-6 KL-ZE would later become a highly sought after upgrade by 93-97 626 owners as it supplies 200 horsepower compared to the U.S. version KL-DE's stock 170hp. Though the 626's manual transmission was highly regarded, 4-cylinder 626s from 1994 onwards used the Ford CD4E
automatic transmission (designated by Mazda as LA4A-EL) which was an attempt to solve some of the 1993's transmission related issues.
Unfortunately, it wasn't until a few years later that the 1994 to 1997 CD4E became known for their extremely high failure rate making the change to the CD4E an irrelevant one. It's widely known to transmission specialists that the CD4E overheats due to a poorly designed valve body and torque converter. Mazda issued a couple of Technical Service Bulletins
(0400502, 01598, 003/97K, 006/95) regarding the transmission and torque converter. Dealerships were briefly instructed to install an external transmission cooler but at cost to the owner and only if requested. No recall was ever issued for a single year of the CD4E causing a loss of confidence from the general public in years to come.
Also in 1994, a passenger side airbag was added, and the V6 spread to the LX trim in addition to the leather ES trim. Some models of the 1994 & 1995 Mazda 626, Mazda MX-6, and Ford Probe 2.0L automatics were outfitted with Ford's EEC-IV diagnostic system. New for 1996 & 1997 models were a redesigned hood (raised center portion), chrome grille fairing (attached to the hood), and the introduction of the On Board Diagnostics II revision (OBD-II).
In Colombia the car was named 626 Matsuri to differentiate from the past version that was sold at the same time.
. Its MX-6 and Ford Probe derivations were gone.
From 1997 through 1999 the 626 was given an engine overhaul to give it better pedal feel. However, as most car reviews will attest, it was a bland vehicle with softer handling and fewer features than the 1993–1997 version. Front side airbags were new options for 2000, as were larger wheels, four wheel discs, and rear heat ducts. The four cylinder engine was also uprated by 5 hp.
The Mazda 626 GLX is a trim level of the Mazda 626. It is, with a 2.0L 4-cylinder DOHC-engine (FS), 4-speed automatic transmission Japanese made, which produces 125 hp at 6000 rpm and 133 ft·lbf (180 N·m) at 4000 rpm.
The final Mazda 626 rolled off the Flat Rock, Michigan assembly plant on August 30, 2002.
In Colombia the car was built until 2006, replaced by Mazda 6.
It would have included a new twin turbo 2.5L 280hp re-design of the legendary KL-ZE engine. The KL-ZE (KL31) engine has become a performance staple for those upgrading their 1993-1997 Probe,MX-6,626,Telstar,Protege,etc... to a high performance engine. A new version of the KL-ZE would have been extremely welcomed not just by Mazda 626 owners but by all Mazda enthusiasts. To the utter dismay of Mazda enthusiasts across the world the 626 MPS was never realized as the next generation of the 626.
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
that was produced by Mazda
Mazda
is a Japanese automotive manufacturer based in Fuchū, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.In 2007, Mazda produced almost 1.3 million vehicles for global sales...
for the export market. It was based on the Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
-market Mazda Capella
Mazda Capella
The second generation rear-wheel drive Capella was available between 1978 and 1982, in both sedan and coupe forms. It was known on export markets as the Mazda 626, with the exception of the United Kingdom, where it was called the Mazda Montrose, the name was changed to honour the local Mazda...
. The 626 replaced the 616/618 and RX-2
Mazda RX-2
The Mazda RX-2 was a midsize car introduced in 1970 and sold through 1978. It used a rotary engine and shared a chassis with the piston-engined Mazda Capella/616/618....
in 1979 and was sold through 2002, when the new Mazda6 took over as Mazda's large family car. 4,345,279 of the 626 and Ford Telstar models were sold worldwide.
The 626 was also sold as the Ford Telstar
Ford Telstar
The Ford Telstar is an automobile that was sold by the Ford Motor Company in Asia, Australasia and Africa, comparable in size to the European Ford Sierra and the American Ford Tempo. It has been progressively replaced by the Ford Mondeo....
in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, Australasia
Australasia
Australasia is a region of Oceania comprising Australia, New Zealand, the island of New Guinea, and neighbouring islands in the Pacific Ocean. The term was coined by Charles de Brosses in Histoire des navigations aux terres australes...
and Southern Africa
Southern Africa
Southern Africa is the southernmost region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. Within the region are numerous territories, including the Republic of South Africa ; nowadays, the simpler term South Africa is generally reserved for the country in English.-UN...
, but was later replaced by the Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an-sourced Ford Mondeo
Ford Mondeo
The Mondeo was launched on 8 January 1993, and sales began on 22 March 1993. Available as a four-door saloon, a five-door hatchback, and a five-door estate, all models for the European market were produced at Ford's plant in the Belgian city of Genk...
. While in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
it was always considered a large family car
Large family car
A large family car, also known as a D-segment car, is a European automobile classification which is larger than a small family car and smaller than an executive car. Multi-purpose vehicles based on a large family car design are often called large MPVs, while similarly-priced models from luxury car...
, in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
the first two generations of the 626 were compact car
Compact car
A compact car , or small family car , is a classification of cars which are larger than a supermini but smaller than or equal to a mid-size car...
s, and the third, fourth and fifth were mid-size car
Mid-size car
A mid-size car is the North American/Australian standard for an automobile with a size equal to or greater than that of a compact...
s.
Predecessors
The 1971 model 616 and 1972 model 618 had been modest successes in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, each lasting just a single year. By 1980, the American public was ready for a compact piston-engined Mazda, and the 626 has been a top seller for the marque ever since.
CB (1978-1982)
The first Mazda 626, the CB series, appeared in 1978, although most the model's introduction to most markets was delayed until 1979. The 626 was a front engined rear-wheel drive compact, little changed from the Japan-market Mazda CapellaMazda Capella
The second generation rear-wheel drive Capella was available between 1978 and 1982, in both sedan and coupe forms. It was known on export markets as the Mazda 626, with the exception of the United Kingdom, where it was called the Mazda Montrose, the name was changed to honour the local Mazda...
with an 80 hp 2.0 L SOHC straight-4
Straight-4
The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
F/MA engine and featuring a split-folding rear seat.
The coupe and sedan were mechanically identical with front MacPherson struts and a solid axle in back mounted on four links and riding on coil springs, either a 5-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission and recirculating ball
Recirculating ball
Recirculating ball, also known as recirculating ball and nut or worm and sector, is a steering mechanism commonly found in older automobiles, and some trucks...
steering.
Mazda facelifted the CB series 626 in 1980. The update brought flush-fitting headlamps and a new grille
Grille
A grille or grill is an opening of several slits side by side in a wall or metal sheet or other barrier, usually to let air or water enter and/or leave but keep larger objects including people and animals in or out.-Spelling:In the United States, "grille" is used to differentiate the automotive...
insert. The grille was lengthened slightly to remove the body-colored gap between the headlamps and grille on the original model. It was also reduced in height so that the grille and headlamps formed a single "band" across the front-end.
| Model | Years | Engine | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | 1979 | 2.0 L F/MA I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
80 hp | |
| 1979–1982 | 2.0 L F/MA I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
75 hp |
GC (1982-1987)
The front-wheel drive model appeared in September 1982 with the GC platform. It was named Import Car of the YearCar of the Year
Car of the Year is a phrase usually considered to have been invented by Motor Trend magazine in the 1950s for their annual award for best American automobile...
by Motor Trend
Motor Trend
Motor Trend is an American automobile magazine. It first appeared in September 1949, issued by Petersen Publishing Company in Los Angeles, and bearing the tag line "The Magazine for a Motoring World". Petersen Publishing was sold to British publisher EMAP in 1998, who sold the former Petersen...
magazine and Car of the Year
Car of the Year
Car of the Year is a phrase usually considered to have been invented by Motor Trend magazine in the 1950s for their annual award for best American automobile...
by Wheels
Wheels magazine
Wheels is an Australian automotive magazine published monthly by ACP Magazines. The publication is well-renowned by Australian car enthusiasts...
magazine for 1983. The new 2.0 L FE engine was up to 83 hp for the North American market. In other regions including Finland, the 626 offered 101 hp with a twin barrel carburetor. The rear suspension was now independent
Independent suspension
Independent suspension is a broad term for any automobile suspension system that allows each wheel on the same axle to move vertically independently of each other. This is contrasted with a beam axle, live axle or deDion axle system in which the wheels are linked – movement on one side affects...
, and though the wheelbase remained the same as the previous model, it was an entirely different car. A SOHC non-turbo diesel 2.0 L
Litér
- External links :*...
RF 66 hp
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
(49 kW
Watt
The watt is a derived unit of power in the International System of Units , named after the Scottish engineer James Watt . The unit, defined as one joule per second, measures the rate of energy conversion.-Definition:...
) engine was made available; twenty examples were imported officially into Australia from 1983 to 1987. European markets also received a 1.6 L F6 80 hp engine.
A 626 GT (also called the Turbo) was introduced in 1986 using the 120 hp and 150 lbft FET engine. The rest of the line got a new front clip with dual (rather than quad) headlights and an entirely new interior, and fuel injection
Fuel injection
Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s....
on the base engine meant 93 hp. A new four-speed automatic was introduced for 1987, the last year of this series.
| Model | Years | Engine | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | 1983–1985 | 2.0 L FE I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
83 hp Horsepower Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the... (61 kW) |
|
| 1986–1987 | 2.0 L FE I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
93 hp | ||
| Diesel | 1984–1987 | 2.0 L RF I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
66 hp | |
| Europe | 1982–1987 | 1.6 L F6 | 80 hp | 89 ft-lbf (120 Nm) |
| Finland Etc | 1982–1987 | 2.0 L FE I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
101 hp | |
| GT | 1986–1987 | 2.0 L FET I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
120 hp | 150 ft-lbf (203 Nm) |
GD (1987-1992)
The 626 was updated in 1987 for the 1988 model year. Now on the GD platform as used by the CapellaMazda Capella
The second generation rear-wheel drive Capella was available between 1978 and 1982, in both sedan and coupe forms. It was known on export markets as the Mazda 626, with the exception of the United Kingdom, where it was called the Mazda Montrose, the name was changed to honour the local Mazda...
, it was available as a sedan, Station Wagon (Estate) and five-door hatchback while the coupé was renamed MX-6
Mazda MX-6
The first generation MX-6 appeared in 1988 and lasted until 1992 in the United States. In some markets the model years were from 1987 to 1991. It was based on a series of futuristic sports compact concept cars of the early 1980s...
for the North American market. The MX-6 was built in Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
alongside its platform-mate, the Ford Probe
Ford Probe
The Ford Probe was a coupé based on the Mazda GD platform, and powered by a 2.2 L SOHC 4 cylinder Mazda F2 engine.The first generation Probe appeared in 1988 and lasted until 1992 in the United States. In some markets the model years were from 1987 to 1991...
at AutoAlliance International
AutoAlliance International
AutoAlliance International is a joint venture automobile assembly firm co-owned by Ford Motor Company and Mazda Motor Corporation. The main AAI plant is located at 1 International Drive in Flat Rock, Michigan...
, while the 626 was still a Japanese import.
Consumer response was strong, and Car and Driver
Car and Driver
Car and Driver is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. Its total circulation is 1.31 million. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, who purchased prior owner Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. in 2011...
magazine named the 626 and MX-6 in their Ten Best list
Car and Driver Ten Best
Car and Driver magazine annually nominates a list of what it considers the Ten Best cars and Five Best trucks.All production vehicles for sale in that calendar year are considered with these restrictions:# The vehicle must be on sale by January...
for 1988.
Engines were new, though still emphasized torque rather than power. The base model now used Mazda's 110-horsepower 2.2 L 3-valve
Multi-valve
In automotive engineering a multi-valve or multivalve engine is one where each cylinder has more than two valves. A multi-valve engine has better breathing and can operate at higher revolutions per minute than a two-valve engine, delivering more power.- Multi-valve rationale :A multi-valve design...
SOHC F2 producing just 6 hp shy of the old Turbo, and the new Turbo was up to 145 hp. European versions used 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 (non-turbo) engines. The GT model had a 2.0 liter FE-DOHC engine that produced 148 (non-cat) or 140 hp (cat).
4-wheel-steering
Steering
Steering is the term applied to the collection of components, linkages, etc. which will allow a vessel or vehicle to follow the desired course...
was introduced to the 626 Turbo in 1988 (to mixed reviews) and was transferred to the MX-6 Turbo a year later. Mazda's system was electronic and more complex than the 4WS system introduced by Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
on the 1988 Prelude
Honda Prelude
The Honda Prelude was a sports coupe produced by Japanese automaker Honda from 1978 until 2001. It replaced the Honda S800, a front-engined, front wheel drive sports car...
; these two marked the first 4WS systems for the American market. This system was still available in Japanese markets for some time after.
It came in 3 bodies: Sedan (Saloon), Hatchback and Station Wagon (Estate). The Station wagon also having a 7 seat option. All of the bodies also had an ABS option. the final face lift was available with a driver airbag.
The 626 line was face-lifted for 1990 and gained motorized seat-belts in the USA market. 626 hatchbacks disappeared after 1991 from the US Mazda model range. The Station Wagon (Estate) was still available up until 94.
UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
trim levels were LX (1.8-litre), GLX (1.8/2.0) and GT (2.0/2.2). There was also an estate model with either the 2.0i 8v or 16v engine, or the 2.2 12v.
| Model | Years | Engine | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base (North America) | 1988–1992 | 2.2 L F2 I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
115 hp | 130 lbft |
| GT (North America) | 1988–1992 | 2.2 L F2T I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... turbo |
145 hp | 190 lbft |
| GT | 1987–1992 | 2.0 L FE-DOHC I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
140/148 hp (103/108 kW) |
GE (1993-1997)
In 1993 the Mazda 626 saw big changes in body style and powertrain since the 626 moved to an entirely different platform. It was now based on the GE platform. The 626 was again WheelsWheels magazine
Wheels is an Australian automotive magazine published monthly by ACP Magazines. The publication is well-renowned by Australian car enthusiasts...
magazine's Car of the Year
Car of the Year
Car of the Year is a phrase usually considered to have been invented by Motor Trend magazine in the 1950s for their annual award for best American automobile...
for a second time in 1992. The very first 1993 Mazda 626 was assembled in Flat Rock, Michigan
Flat Rock, Michigan
- Racial makeup :As of the census of 2000, there were 8,488 people, 3,181 households, and 2,306 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,266.9 per square mile . There were 3,291 housing units at an average density of 491.2 per square mile...
on September 1, 1992. The car was known as the Cronos
Mazda Cronos
Mazda used the Cronos name in Japan from 1991 until 1995 for a redesign of the Mazda Capella. This vehicle platform was sold in the United States as the Mazda 626 during the same period. In Japan, the station wagon variant of the older-generation GD Capella remained in production...
in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, but dropped the Cronos for the 1996 model year.
New transmissions were designed to give the car more of a "sports car" feel, and production was moved to AutoAlliance International
AutoAlliance International
AutoAlliance International is a joint venture automobile assembly firm co-owned by Ford Motor Company and Mazda Motor Corporation. The main AAI plant is located at 1 International Drive in Flat Rock, Michigan...
alongside the MX-6 and Ford Probe
Ford Probe
The Ford Probe was a coupé based on the Mazda GD platform, and powered by a 2.2 L SOHC 4 cylinder Mazda F2 engine.The first generation Probe appeared in 1988 and lasted until 1992 in the United States. In some markets the model years were from 1987 to 1991...
. This, and the car's component sources, allowed the 626 to be certified as the first official Japanese-branded U.S. domestic automobile. The wagon and hatchback models were not offered in the U.S. but were well received in Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Mazda's 2.5 L V6 engine
V6 engine
A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft...
(enlarged from the 1.8 L V6 on the 1992 MX-3
Mazda MX-3
The Mazda MX-3 is a four-seat hatchback coupé first introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1991. The MX-3 was marketed as the Mazda MX-3 Precidia in Canada, the Eunos 30X in Australia, and as the Eunos Presso, Autozam AZ-3 and Mazda AZ-3 in Japan.The MX-3 is quite popular for modification...
) debuted to rave reviews. The Japanese MX-6 KL-ZE would later become a highly sought after upgrade by 93-97 626 owners as it supplies 200 horsepower compared to the U.S. version KL-DE's stock 170hp. Though the 626's manual transmission was highly regarded, 4-cylinder 626s from 1994 onwards used the Ford CD4E
Ford CD4E transmission
The CD4E was a 4-speed automatic transaxle for front wheel drive cars from 1994 to 2007. It was manufactured at Ford's Batavia Transmission plant starting in 1994...
automatic transmission (designated by Mazda as LA4A-EL) which was an attempt to solve some of the 1993's transmission related issues.
Unfortunately, it wasn't until a few years later that the 1994 to 1997 CD4E became known for their extremely high failure rate making the change to the CD4E an irrelevant one. It's widely known to transmission specialists that the CD4E overheats due to a poorly designed valve body and torque converter. Mazda issued a couple of Technical Service Bulletins
Technical Service Bulletin
Technical Service Bulletins, or TSBs, are recommended procedures for repairing vehicles. Not to be confused with recalls, a TSB is issued by a vehicle manufacturer when there are several occurrences of an unanticipated problem. TSBs can range from vehicle-specific to covering entire product lines...
(0400502, 01598, 003/97K, 006/95) regarding the transmission and torque converter. Dealerships were briefly instructed to install an external transmission cooler but at cost to the owner and only if requested. No recall was ever issued for a single year of the CD4E causing a loss of confidence from the general public in years to come.
Also in 1994, a passenger side airbag was added, and the V6 spread to the LX trim in addition to the leather ES trim. Some models of the 1994 & 1995 Mazda 626, Mazda MX-6, and Ford Probe 2.0L automatics were outfitted with Ford's EEC-IV diagnostic system. New for 1996 & 1997 models were a redesigned hood (raised center portion), chrome grille fairing (attached to the hood), and the introduction of the On Board Diagnostics II revision (OBD-II).
In Colombia the car was named 626 Matsuri to differentiate from the past version that was sold at the same time.
| Model | Years | Engine | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European | 1993–1997 | 1.8 L F Mazda F engine The F engine family from Mazda is a mid-sized straight-4 piston engine with iron block, alloy head and belt-driven OHC. Introduced in 1983 as the 1.6L F6, this engine was found in the Mazda B-Series truck and Mazda G platform models such as Mazda 626 as well as many other models internationally... I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
104 hp | 127 lbft |
| Base | 1993–1997 | 2.0 L FS I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
118 hp | 127 lbft |
| V6 | 1993–1997 | 2.5 L KL V6 | 164 hp | 160 lbft |
1998
1998 brought the fifth-generation 626, now on the GF platform. North American 626's were again built by AutoAlliance International in Flat Rock, MichiganFlat Rock, Michigan
- Racial makeup :As of the census of 2000, there were 8,488 people, 3,181 households, and 2,306 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,266.9 per square mile . There were 3,291 housing units at an average density of 491.2 per square mile...
. Its MX-6 and Ford Probe derivations were gone.
From 1997 through 1999 the 626 was given an engine overhaul to give it better pedal feel. However, as most car reviews will attest, it was a bland vehicle with softer handling and fewer features than the 1993–1997 version. Front side airbags were new options for 2000, as were larger wheels, four wheel discs, and rear heat ducts. The four cylinder engine was also uprated by 5 hp.
The Mazda 626 GLX is a trim level of the Mazda 626. It is, with a 2.0L 4-cylinder DOHC-engine (FS), 4-speed automatic transmission Japanese made, which produces 125 hp at 6000 rpm and 133 ft·lbf (180 N·m) at 4000 rpm.
The final Mazda 626 rolled off the Flat Rock, Michigan assembly plant on August 30, 2002.
In Colombia the car was built until 2006, replaced by Mazda 6.
| Model | Years | Engine | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 1998–2002 | 1.8 L F Mazda F engine The F engine family from Mazda is a mid-sized straight-4 piston engine with iron block, alloy head and belt-driven OHC. Introduced in 1983 as the 1.6L F6, this engine was found in the Mazda B-Series truck and Mazda G platform models such as Mazda 626 as well as many other models internationally... I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
100 hp | |
| Base | 1998–1999 | 2.0 L F Mazda F engine The F engine family from Mazda is a mid-sized straight-4 piston engine with iron block, alloy head and belt-driven OHC. Introduced in 1983 as the 1.6L F6, this engine was found in the Mazda B-Series truck and Mazda G platform models such as Mazda 626 as well as many other models internationally... I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
125 hp | 127 lbft |
| 2000–2002 | 2.0 L F Mazda F engine The F engine family from Mazda is a mid-sized straight-4 piston engine with iron block, alloy head and belt-driven OHC. Introduced in 1983 as the 1.6L F6, this engine was found in the Mazda B-Series truck and Mazda G platform models such as Mazda 626 as well as many other models internationally... I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
130 hp | 135 lbft | |
| V6 | 1998–2002 | 2.5 L KLG4 V6 | 170 hp | 163 lbft |
2002
In 2000-2001 Mazda built the 626 MPS which was to be the 2002 Mazda 626. It debuted at the 2000 Geneva motor show as a concept car and only a few were ever produced. It was very similar in appearance to the Mazda 6 but boasted classic 626 exterior and interior features such as the familiar 626/MX-6 headlights, front grille, gauge cluster, and oscillating air conditioning vents. The hood although highly stylized was still directly in line with 626 styling making it one of the best 626's ever designed. Portions of the center console were redesigned to be slimmer for more leg room, cup holders moved, new window control units based on the 2000-2002 model, and according the concept car images 3 more gauges located in the center dash presumably for oil pressure, temperature, and boost).It would have included a new twin turbo 2.5L 280hp re-design of the legendary KL-ZE engine. The KL-ZE (KL31) engine has become a performance staple for those upgrading their 1993-1997 Probe,MX-6,626,Telstar,Protege,etc... to a high performance engine. A new version of the KL-ZE would have been extremely welcomed not just by Mazda 626 owners but by all Mazda enthusiasts. To the utter dismay of Mazda enthusiasts across the world the 626 MPS was never realized as the next generation of the 626.
External links
- Mazda626.net Home of the Mazda 626 Enthusiast
- Mazda626.net Home of the Mazda 6 Enthusiast