Mazda 323
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
| Mazda 323 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Mazda |
| Production: | 1976 – 2003 |
| Class: | Sedan Performance |
| Body Styles: | 3-door hatchback 5-door hatchback 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon |
| Predecessor: | Mazda ? |
| Successor: | Mazda3 |
| Shares components with: | Ford Laser/Escort (US) |
| Similar models: | Ford Laser/Escort (US) VW Golf VW Jetta |
| This article is part of the automobile series. | |
The Mazda 323 (called the Mazda Familia in Japan) was a subcompact car produced by Mazda in Japan between 1976 and 2003. In the United States it was originally known as the Mazda GLC, and from 1989 as the Mazda Protegé. In South Africa, it was known as the Mazda Etude.
The model was built in Hiroshima, Japan, although they were also assembled in Taiwan, Malaysia, South Africa, Colombia and New Zealand.
In North America, the 323/Protegé was always more expensive than its entry-level competitors such as the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic, partly due to its manufacture in Japan, and therefore, is not as ubiquitous. A perenial favourite of US car magazines, the model is well regarded for its spirited handling.
It formed the basis of the Ford Laser and Meteor in Asia, Australasia and other markets, (known as the Mercury Tracer in the United States) and from 1989, the Ford Escort in North America.
| Table of contents |
1976-80
The first Mazda 323 was a rear wheel drive model, available as a hatchback and a station wagon. It was known in the United States as the Mazda GLC and in Japan as the Mazda Familia.
1980-84
The 1980 323 featured a 1.5 liter engine, and was front-wheel drive. It was available as a hatchback and sedan. The 1980 Carol/323 was the first front-engine, front-wheel drive vehicle from Mazda. A wagon version, which was simply a facelifted version of the previous rear-drive model, was also sold.
1985-88
The 1985 323 featured a 1.5 liter engine. It was available as a hatchback, sedan and wagon (this time also front wheel drive). The Ford Laser version of this model also formed the basis of the Mercury Tracer.
The model remains in production in South Africa, as an entry level model, also being sold as the Ford Tonic, and was briefly sold in the UK as the Sao Penza. A locally designed pick-up called the Hustler was also produced, and sold as the Ford Bantam
1989-93
The 1989 323 was available in hatchback or sedan formats, with front- or all-wheel drive and a 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, or 1.8 liter gas or 1.7 liter diesel engine. The GT model came with the 1.6 liter B6 engine also found on the Mazda Miata. The hottest version was the GT-X, which came with all-wheel drive and a turbocharged 1.8 liter BP engine.
In Japan, the 5-door hatchback, featuring a distinct front end with pop-up headlights, was sold as the Familia Astina and Eunos 100.
The car shared its mechanicals with the 1989-1993 Ford Escort in North America, as well as the Mercury Tracer and Ford Laser. Production of the 1994 model ended on May 24, 1994.
1994-1998
The 1994 model was available internationally with either a 1.3 liter B3, 1.5 liter Z5, 1.5 liter B5, or 1.8 liter BP engine. In Japan, a 1.7 liter diesel and all-wheel drive was also available. The 2-door hatchback was known in Japan as the Familia Neo. A tall wagon, called the Familia Van, was also available in Japan. In South Africa, this model was known as the Mazda Etude. Production of the 1995 model went into on August 8, 1994, and ceased on June 18, 1998.
A five door hatchback and four door sedan, both featuring pillarless doors and distinct sheetmetal from other 323s was sold in Japan (Mazda Lantis), Australia (Mazda 323 Astina), South Africa (Mazda 323 Astina) and Europe (Mazda 323F). These models were sold with the 1.5 litre and 1.8 litre engines seen in the rest of the 323 range, as well as a 2.0 litre V6 shared with the Mazda Eunos 500.
1998-2003
The 1998 model was updated with a 4-door sedan or 5-door hatchback chassis shared with the larger Mazda 626 and more engine choices. The 1.3 liter B3 soldiered on, but the new 1.5 liter ZL engine appeared, as did a new 2.0 liter diesel. Japan again got all-wheel drive as an option.
A 2.0 liter gas engine appeared in 2001 on the Japanese market Sport 20. An tall wagon version of the Familia called the Premacy was also available, and which was sold in Japan as the Ford Ixion. In 1999, Ford of Japan ceased to market Mazda-based models, and the Laser, along with the Ixion, Telstar and Festiva, was dropped.
For the 2003 model year in North America, Mazda introduced two new variants of the Protegé, the Protegé5 (described as a station wagon but in fact a hatchback) and a limited edition model featuring a 450 Watt stereo system with in-dash MP3 player (the Mazda MP3). In 2004 they introduced a model with a turbo-charger to improve the car's acceleration. This was also the last year for the production of the Protegé.
The 1999 model went into production on September 29, 1998, and the very last model rolled off the assembly line on October 2, 2003. It remains in production in Taiwan, where it is also badged as the Ford Activa, while in Southeast Asia it is assembled in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand as the Ford Lynx.
In Colombia, production of the Mazda 323 continued well until 2003, built by its local subsidiary, the Compañía Colombiana Automotriz. The 323 remains to this day one of the most succesful cars made in the country and many models made across the years can still be seen in the streets of most Colombian and Andean cities. Oddly enough, the "boxy" look that characterised the vehicle during the early 90's and the 80's remained until production's end due to the demand of the local market for the car's lines.
2004-
The 323 has been replaced in Mazda's lineup by the Mazda3, which shared a platform with the latest generation Ford Focus. The "3" comes in both 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback varieties.
