Mazda 626

The Mazda 626 was a car model of the Japanese manufacturer Mazda. It was based on the offered in Japan under the name Mazda Capella model of the manufacturer.

The 626 introduced in the product line, the Group's mid-range model dar. It was produced from early 1979 until the summer of 2002 and replaced by the Mazda6 in the same year.

The Mazda 626 was sold in Asia, Australia and South Africa with revised bodywork under the name Ford Telstar, which was based on the economic participation of the Ford Motor Company in the Japanese manufacturer Mazda.

• 3.1 body versions

• 5.1 body versions

626/Capella (CB2, 1979-1982 )

Mazda 626 Saloon ( 1979-1982 )

In October 1978 Mazda introduced the Capella and 626, respectively, which was introduced in early 1979 with rear wheel drive in most markets. After Germany, he arrived in February 1979.

The first generation of the Mazda 626 was produced as a sedan and a coupe, each with a notchback. It was available with either a 1.6 - liter engine with 55 kW (75 hp) and a 2.0 -liter engine with an output of 66 kW (90 PS ) in Japan with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder. The German prices started at DM 12,690 for the 1.6-liter sedan; the two-liter cost DM 1000, DM 300 each the coupe more.

One innovation was the split folding rear seat. In the U.S., 626 doubled after the introduction of the Mazda sales Mazda. Also in Europe was the 626 a great sales success. This first generation was produced until 1982.

In November 1980, the 626 a smoother front end received flush headlamps and with improvements in technology and equipment; the five-speed gearbox was now the 1600 standard.

The 626 was offered in Germany with the following engine versions:

626/Capella (GC, 1983-1987 )

Mazda 626 Saloon ( 1983-1987 )

Beginning of 1983, the Mazda 626 front-wheel drive on the market. The car magazines Motor Trend and Wheels magazine voted the 626 to "Import Car of the Year 1983 '. The new 626 was equipped in the LX features with a 1.6 - liter engine with 60 kW ( 82 hp ) and in the GLX equipped with a 2.0 - liter engine with 75 kW ( 102 hp ) ( Germany ). In Switzerland, only the 2.0 liter engine was to have, which due to different environmental legislation only made ​​70 kW (95 hp). The car was available as a four-door saloon, five-door hatchback and two-door coupe, respectively, in the LX and GLX variants.

In some other European countries, for example in France, the LX variant with the large and the GLX variant with the small engine was available. The GLX was very well equipped by European standards of the time. It featured as standard with extras such as four electric windows ( the coupe electrically operated Rear opening ), velor ear pads and a central locking system. These options were then even in luxury cars mostly incur additional charges. Optionally, there were 626 in the first year of sales in 1983 only metallic paint and the power steering in conjunction with the 2.0 - liter engine.

Externally distinguished the 2.0-liter version - regardless of the trim level - with larger wheels ( 14 inches instead of 13 inches) with wheel full trim panels, wider tires ( 185/70 HR 14 instead of 165 SR 13) and a glued- lateral decorative strip of the 1.6 -liter model. As of 1984, there is also a diesel model was offered with a 2.0 -liter engine and 47 kW ( 64 hp).

As of early 1986, Mazda offered for a revision of the model, a GT version with a 2.0 - liter engine and injection at. This had an output of 88 kW (120 hp) and as additional facilities for a speed control ( cruise control ). Also introduced was a new catalyst version ( 2.0i cat) with 66 kW (90 hp). Being a diesel drive, a 2.0 - liter engine with 47 kW (64 hp) was still available. As body styles were still a sedan with a notchback and four doors, a hatchback and sedan with five doors and a coupe with two doors to choose from. The 2.0 - liter engine with 88 kW could be combined with any body style. The revision was accounted for the 1.6 -liter engine for the coupe.

The 626 was now available with the following engine versions:

Mazda 626 Coupe

Kia Concord / Capital

From 1987 Kia Motors took over the production and built the model under license as Kia Concord with petrol engines from Mazda (from two liters of displacement ) and the 2.0- liter diesel engine. In 1989, the Kia Capital to which was equipped with the 1.5-liter petrol engine and should be a cheaper alternative.

In 1991 he received a facelift and now had the 1.8 -liter engine, which was no longer offered in Concord.

1995 Kia ended production of Concord, took the position of the Kia credo as his successor. The Capital ran from 1996. The segment was henceforth mitbesetzt by the Kia Sephia.

Kia Capital (1989-1996)

626/Capella ( GD / GV, 1987-1992 )

Mazda 626 Hatchback (1987-1992)

In the fall of 1987, a new 626 came on the market. This was available as a station wagon as a stage and hatchback, coupe and starting in spring 1988.

There the familiar 2.0-liter petrol engines were used again. In the LX than 2.0 liter with carburettor and 66 kW (90 hp) with uncontrolled catalyst in the GLX as a 2.0i with 3- way catalytic converter and also 66 kW (90 hp). For the model year 1990, the LX then also became the 2.0i with 3- way catalytic converter, it also will henceforth only were differences in the equipment. Additionally, there was the car with the 2.2 i- 12V with 85 kW ( 116 PS) in the GLX variant and as 2.0i- 16V with 103 kW ( 140 hp ) as GT variant. In Germany, the 2.0 L 12V was with 79 kW ( 107 PS) for a short time on the market since it had no catalyst, and because of that vehicle taxation costs more to maintain. Also, only a very short time (up to 1989 model year ), the GT variant was as a 4- door saloon available. Furthermore, there was a 2.0 - liter diesel with 44 kW (60 hp).

For the model year 1990 626 2.2 i 12V wheel drive as a 4WD vehicle was sold and it could be ordered for an additional charge ABS. In Japan, the model was sold as Capella and produced until 1996. There was a version with a 5 - speed manual transmission and a 4 - speed automatic transmission.

The third generation was the most successful in Germany. No import model in the middle class has sold better. In addition, the car was in 1988 and 1989, the best-selling import car at all. This is no other Japanese car ever managed.

This 626 is the first Japanese vehicle, which succeeded a comparison test in the magazine Auto, Motor und Sport to win ( issue 21 /87). In the test, the vehicle in 1987 with rivals Audi 80, the Peugeot 405 was, Renault 21 and Ford Sierra compared.

For this series was the first time at Mazda available the system called 4WS in the GT trim level. It provided for greater cornering stability by drew the rear wheels depending on speed to the front wheels.

The 626 was available with the following engine versions:

Body versions

Mazda 626 Saloon

Mazda 626 Kombi

Mazda 626 Coupe

626/Capella/Cronos ( Efini MS6 GE, 1992-1997)

Mazda 626 Hatchback (1992-1997)

The introduced in 1992 as an oblique and notchback sedan Mazda 626 was heavily revised. In parallel, the estate version of the third generation was further offered. The Coupé variant accounted for. Instead, Mazda introduced before the Mazda MX -6, which was based on the chassis of the Mazda 626 and its technology has been installed in the Ford Probe. The sedan was offered in Japan under the name Mazda Cronos. With a little more luxurious features, the model in Japan was also available as a efini.

The car was a sporty acting appearance, which was not very well received by the more conservative audience. Especially the hatchback with an integrated rear spoiler in the tailgate was visually getting used to. The car was for its time for its class too big and too expensive fall, making this model generation was not a great sales success.

The four-wheel steering 4WS was used in this series for the last time. In the MX-6, there was still used.

The 626 was now available with the following engine versions:

626/Capella (GF / GW, 1997-2002)

Mazda 626 Hatchback (1997-1999)

From the spring of 1997 was offered with the 626 designation with the fifth generation of the Mazda 626, the last model. As body styles were back a step and a Hatchback ( GF) and a combination (GW ) available. In contrast to the estate version of the previous model of the wagon was a new development in this generation model as the sedans.

In December 1999 he was a facelift for the oblique and saloon, which was conducted in February 2000, also in combination. These designs are different from the first version, especially with a new exterior design and a further optimized interior.

The steps and hatchback and the station wagon versions are available in three equipment and with different mechanics. The three petrol engines offered are based on four-cylinder engines with multi-valve technology, the base engine had a displacement of 1.9 liters and a maximum engine power of 66 kW ( 90 hp ) or 74 kW has (101 hp). The other two engines are equipped with 2-liter with 85 kW ( 115 hp) or 100 kW (136 hp).

Instead of trim levels (LX, GLX, GT) trim levels now offered. This equipment lines were referred to as Comfort, Spirit, Exclusive and Sporty. In the equipment line Sportive only offered the 2.0 - liter engine with 100 kW (136 hp).

The 626 was now available with the following engine versions:

* ) Not available for the German market

Body versions

Mazda 626 Kombi (1997-2000)

Mazda 626 Hatchback (1999-2002 )

Rear view

Mazda 626 Saloon ( 1999-2002)

Weaknesses

The models with petrol engines are E10 - compatible, according DAT-/VDA-Liste.

End of production

On August 30, 2002 is the final Mazda 626 rolled off the production line. The successor model now bears the name Mazda6.

Swell

• Automobile review, catalog number 1979 and 1984.
• Joachim Kuch: Japanese automobiles. Engine book publishing house, Stuttgart 1990, ISBN 3-613-01365-7, pp. 85-90.
• H.R. Etzold: Mazda 626 - How it's done. Delius Klasing Verlag, 2004.