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Mazda Millenia

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Mazda Millenia
1998–2000 Mazda Millenia
Overview
ManufacturerMazda
Also called
Production1993–2002
AssemblyJapan: Hiroshima (Hiroshima Plant)
DesignerYujiro Daikoku (1990)[1]
Body and chassis
ClassExecutive car
Body style4-door sedan
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive
PlatformMazda TA platform
Powertrain
Engine
Power output
  • 140 hp (104 kW) (2.0L)
  • 210 hp (157 kW) (2.3L)
  • 170 hp (127 kW) (2.5L)
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,751 mm (108.3 in)
Length
  • 4,821 mm (189.8 in) (1995-2000)
  • 4,867 mm (191.6 in) (2001-02)
Width1,770 mm (69.7 in)
Height1,394 mm (54.9 in)

The Mazda Millenia (officially written as millenia[2]) was an automobile manufactured by Mazda in Japan from 1993 to 2002. The Millenia was originally planned as the one of the first models for Mazda's proposed luxury brand Amati.

At the time of its release, it was the first and only production car in the world to employ a Miller cycle engine,[3][4] a design which Mazda would not use again for six more years until the second generation Mazda2.

Having been developed for a separate market from typical Mazda customers was engineered to far greater levels of perceived quality than existing Mazda cars, such as interior plastic quality, panel gap and thicker paint coating, with Mazda claiming this attention to detail was intended to set "standards for at least ten years".[5]

Plans for Amati

[edit]

See also Amati Cars

The Millenia was originally intended to be named the Amati 500[6] and was to serve as the first model to launch Mazda's new luxury brand Amati, which itself was announced in February 1992 for a planned launch in 1994.[7] In June of the same year, Amati produced a logo and announced plans for a $75 million marketing campaign with Los Angeles-based Lord, Dentsu & Partners planned to start at the end of 1993.[8] Mazda expected to sell 20,000 a year in 1994 and to double that by 1995.

The recession caused by the collapse of the Japanese asset price bubble led to the cancellation of Amati by October 1992,[9] and by November 1993 it was decided to sell the Millenia as a Mazda instead.[4][10]

Branding post-Amati

[edit]

As the company's finances dwindled due to the collapse of the "bubble economy", Mazda scrapped the launch of the Amati brand. Instead, the car was rebadged underMazda's various sub-bands with differing model names depending on the market.[6] There was no equivalent version offered by Mazda's Ẽfini or Autozam.

Europe

[edit]

Mazda of Europe sold the Mazda Xedos 9[4] between 1993 and 2002. There was also a smaller Mazda Xedos 6 offered at the same time.

Japan & Australia[6]

[edit]

Marketed as the Eunos 800 in Japan and Australia from 1993 through 1998, while the Miller Cycle-equipped version was known as the Eunos 800M. Yaw-sensitive four-wheel steering was available as an option in Japan; Mazda claimed that with this feature, the Millenia was capable of passing the elk test at speeds comparable to the BMW 850i and Nissan 300ZX.

Like in Europe, it was sold alongside the smaller Xedos 6, which itself was rebranded as the Eunos 500.

In July 1997, the Eunos 800 was renamed to Mazda Millenia when Mazda discontinued the Eunos brand.

Eunos 800M SP

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Mazda Motorsport Australia released a limited edition Eunos 800M SP with improved suspension and larger alloy wheel and tire combination, but with no modifications to the engine.

North America

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Launched in North America in 1994 (as a 1995 model year),[11] the Mazda millenia replaced the Mazda 929 as the brand's flagship sedan offering in North America. While the 929 had been the last non-luxury rear-wheel drive Japanese import sedan in the US, the Millenia was front-wheel drive. Unlike the other markets, there was no equivalent version of the Mazda Xedos 6/Eunos 500 in the US or Canada.[6]

The Millenia was available in three models: the base model, the mid-level millenia L with standard leather upholstery, power moonroof and remote keyless entry, and the top-of-the-line millenia S model which featured traction control, heated front seats, heavy duty wipers and the supercharged 2.3-liter V6 Miller cycle engine.

Reception was generally positive, with reviewers praising the vehicle's combination of interior quality, engine performance, and overall value as superior to contemporary competitors like the BMW 3-series, Infiniti i30, Acura TL, Lexus ES300, and Mercedes C280.[12]

US Market Sales [11]

[edit]
1994 1995 1996[13] 1997[14] 1998[15] 1999[16] 2000*[17] 2001[18] 2002[19] 2003[20] 2004[21]
January 0 1,429 998 1,126 1,114 1,113 unknown 1,301 1,904 509 7
February 400 1,450 960 1,173 1,000 1,203 unknown 1,665 1,771 450 1
March 1,874 1,794 1,036 1,214 1,031 1,333 unknown 1,286 1,925 304 7
April 2,708 1,494 1,055 1,346 1,031 1,399 unknown 1,455 1,583 192 0
May 3,236 1,503 1,153 1,930 1,085 1,605 unknown 1,892 1,707 139 1
June 3,114 2,467 828 2,086 1,428 1,487 unknown 3,761 1,368 86 0
July 2,338 1,658 856 1,761 3,686 1,563 unknown 1,643 1,432 64 2
August 2,882 1,504 1,219 2,018 3,941 1,536 unknown 1,407 1,680 29 0
September 2,593 1,512 1,138 1,414 600 2,160 unknown 1,392 1,407 13 0
October 1,860 2,992 1,147 1,684 656 2,746 unknown 1,594 1,149 13 0
November 1,698 2,262 1,375 1,172 568 1,659 unknown 1,242 1,223 3 0
December 1,720 1,496 1,254 1,096 577 1,394 unknown 1,211 917 10 0
Total Millenia Sales 24,423 21,561 13,019 18,020 16,717 19,198 16,558 19,849 18,066 1,812 18
All Mazda Sales 375,416 283,745 238,285 221,840 240,547 243,708 255,526 269,602 258,213 258,865 263,882

(* Note: Monthly sales data could not be found for calendar year 2000, however the total sales for that year can be found in a year-over-year sales comparison table in the Automotive News Market Data Book for calendar year 2001[18])

Facelift

[edit]

The vehicle received a minor facelift in 1997 primarily focused on cost-saving measures. For instance, the hood was downgraded from aluminum to steel. This first facelift was also accompanied by a name change from Eunos 800 to Mazda Millenia in the Japanese market.

The Millenia was more dramatically facelifted for the 2001 model year, with most modifications updating the front and rear bumpers and grille.

  • Mazda Xedos 9 (Europe)
    Mazda Xedos 9 (Europe)
  • Eunos 800 2.5 (pre-facelift)
    Eunos 800 2.5 (pre-facelift)
  • 1998-2000 Mazda Millenia (Japan)
    1998-2000 Mazda Millenia (Japan)
  • 1998-2000 Mazda Millenia (Japan)
    1998-2000 Mazda Millenia (Japan)
  • 2001-2002 Mazda Millenia (US)
    2001-2002 Mazda Millenia (US)
  • 1995-1998 Mazda Millenia base (US)
    1995-1998 Mazda Millenia base (US)

Discontinuation

[edit]

While production ceased in September 2002 with the final 35 units,[22] in the United States there were still new Millenia sales as late as July 2004.[21]

The Millenia did not have a direct predecessor or replacement in the Mazda product line. The end of production coincided with the introduction of the Mazda6 in 2002, which also served as replacement for Mazda's other, contemporaneous mid-sized sedan, the Mazda 626.

Specifications and performance

[edit]
Specifications Millenia S Millenia L (and Base) [23]
MSRP $35,595 $31,995 (Millenia L)
Engine Type 2.3 Liter V6 2.5 Liter V6
Engine Size 2255 cc/2.3 L 2497 cc/2.5 L
Horsepower 210 hp (157 kW) @ 5300 rpm 170 hp (127 kW; 172 PS) @5600 RPM
Torque 210 lb⋅ft (285 N⋅m) @ 3500 rpm 160 ft⋅lbf (220 N⋅m) @ 4000 RPM
Wheelbase/Width/Length 108.3 in (2,751 mm)/69.7 in (1,770 mm)/189.8 in (4,821 mm) 108.3 in (2,751 mm)/69.7 in (1,770 mm)/189.8 in (4,821 mm)
Transmission Four-speed automatic Four-speed automatic
Curb Weight 3,410 lb (1,550 kg) 3,232 lb (1,466 kg)
Fuel Type Premium Unleaded Premium Unleaded
Fuel Capacity 18.0 US gal (68 L; 15 imp gal) 18.0 US gal (68 L; 15 imp gal)
Tires P215/50R17 P215/65R15 (Millenia L)
Brakes (F/R) Disc (ABS)/Disc (ABS) Disc (ABS)/Disc (ABS)
Drivetrain Front-engine/front-wheel-drive Front-engine/front-wheel-drive
Vehicle Type Five-passenger/four-door Five-passenger/four-door
Domestic Content 4% unknown
Coefficient of Drag (Cd.) 0.29 0.29
Performance
EPA Economy, miles per gallon
city/highway/average 		20 mpg‑US (12 L/100 km; 24 mpg‑imp)/28 mpg‑US (8.4 L/100 km; 34 mpg‑imp)/23 mpg‑US (10 L/100 km; 28 mpg‑imp) 20 mpg‑US (12 L/100 km; 24 mpg‑imp)/27 mpg‑US (8.7 L/100 km; 32 mpg‑imp)/22 mpg‑US (11 L/100 km; 26 mpg‑imp)
0-60 mph 7.5 seconds 9.9 seconds
1/4 Mile (E.T.) 15.8 seconds @ 93.8 mph (151.0 km/h) 17.3 seconds
Top Speed (Est.) 142 mph (229 km/h) 135 mph (217 km/h)

References

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  1. ^ Daikoku, Yujiro. "USD353792S". Google Patents. Mazda. Retrieved 2019-09-19.
  2. ^ Demuro, Doug (2017-09-18). "Remember When Mazda Released a Car With a Misspelled Name?". Autotrader. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  3. ^ Marquis, Erin (2019-07-26). "The 2002 Mazda Millenia S Is a Ghost from Japan's Bubble Era of Wild Over-Engineering". Jalopnik. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  4. ^ a b c "Baby Amati to wear Mazda badge". MotorTrend. November 1993. p. 18. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  5. ^ "MAZDA 100TH ANNIVERSARY | LEGENDARY MAZDAS - EUNOS 800/MILLENIA". Legendary Mazdas - Eunos 800 / Millenia. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  6. ^ a b c d Orlove, Raphael (2018-12-10). "It Was Japan's Most Daring Car. Then the Economy Imploded". Jalopnik. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  7. ^ Kelley, Maryann N. (February 1992). "Amati: What's in a name?". MotorTrend. p. 118. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  8. ^ "That's Amati". MotorTrend. June 1992. p. 26. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  9. ^ Pollack, Andrew (October 27, 1992). "Mazda Drops Luxury Line Plan for U.S." New York Times. Archived from the original on 2017-11-10. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  10. ^ O'Dell, John (October 27, 1992). "Mazda Puts Brakes on Amati : The Car Maker Cancels Plans to Launch a Luxury Car Division". LA Times. Archived from the original on 2017-11-10. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  11. ^ a b "Automotive News Market Data Book". Automotive News. ISSN 0005-1551. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  12. ^ Paul, Rik (September 1995). "In the Leather-Lined Trenches of the Midluxury Wars". MotorTrend. pp. 89–96. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  13. ^ "Sales." Automotive News (1997): 45-68. ProQuest. Web. 28 Sep. 2024.
  14. ^ "Sales." Automotive News 71.5768 (1998): 45-68. ProQuest. Web. 28 Sep. 2024.
  15. ^ "Sales." Automotive News 73.5821 (1999): 33-54. ProQuest. Web. 28 Sep. 2024.
  16. ^ "Sales." Automotive News, suppl.Market Data Book 2000 74.5877 (2000): 33-54. ProQuest. Web. 28 Sep. 2024.
  17. ^ "U.S. Car and Light-Truck Sales - 2000 Calendar Year." Automotive News, suppl.2001 Market Data Book 75.5930 (2001): 9. ProQuest. Web. 28 Sep. 2024.
  18. ^ a b "North America Sales History and Forecast." Automotive News, suppl.2002 Market Data Book 76.5986 (2002): 25-39. ProQuest. Web. 28 Sep. 2024.
  19. ^ "U.S. Car Sales - North America-Built and Imported - 2002 Calendar Year." Automotive News, suppl.2003 Market Data Book 77.6040 (2003): 27,28,30-32. ProQuest. Web. 28 Sep. 2024.
  20. ^ "Sales: U.S. Car Sales - North America-Built and Imported - 2003." Automotive News, suppl.2004 Market Data Book 78.6095 (2004): 27,28,30-32. ProQuest. Web. 28 Sep. 2024.
  21. ^ a b "U.S. Car and Light-Truck Sales - 2004." Automotive News, suppl.2005 Market Data Book 79.6149 (2005): 26-35. ProQuest. Web. 28 Sep. 2024. "U.S. Light-Vehicle Sales." Automotive News, suppl.2006 MARKET DATA BOOK 80.6204 (2006): 24. ProQuest. Web. 28 Sep. 2024.
  22. ^ "MAZDA:Backnumber | Production and Sales Results". 2002-10-01. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  23. ^ "Detailed specs review of 1996 Mazda Millenia model for North America".
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