Mazda MX-6

{{anchor|first generation}} First generation (1987–1992) ==

• Mazda 626 Coupé
• Mazda Capella C2
• Mazda Capella/626 (GD)
• Ford Probe
• 1789 cc F8 I4
• 1789 cc F8 DOHC I4
• 1998 cc FE I4
• 1998 cc FE-DOHC DOHC I4
• 2184 cc F2 I4
• 2184 cc F2T turbo I4
• 5-speed manual
• 4-speed automatic

The first-generation MX-6 appeared in 1987 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. It was a large coupé, based on the Mazda GD platform, and was powered by the inline-four Mazda F engines. It used the Mazda G4A-EL four-speed electronic-shift automatic transmission.

The US market made use of the F2 2.2-liter engine, with the base engine producing 110 hp. The turbocharged option produces 145 hp. European and Japanese market versions were shipped with either the 1.8 L F8 or the 2.0 L FE or FE-DOHC DOHC engines.

The MX-6 was produced with two transmission options, a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic with overdrive.

This generation was available in several trim levels, which differed depending on the market in which the vehicle was sold. In the United States, the MX-6 was available in DX, LX, LE, and GT trim levels:

• DX was the "bare bones" model, offering the base 110 hp and 130 lbft F2 2.2 L engine and few options, but most MX-6s sold in the US were equipped with air conditioning.
• LX added power windows, power locks, and power mirrors, as well as an optional electric moonroof.
• LE was a rare "Luxury or Leather Edition" model that was the same as the LX, but included leather seating surfaces and a leather-wrapped shift knob on manual transmission-equipped vehicles.
• GT included all options from the LX, but also stepped up to the F2T 2.2 L turbocharged, intercooled engine, which put out 145 hp and 190 lbft of torque delivering a significant performance boost. It also had four-wheel disc brakes with ABS as optional, and three-way electronically adjustable suspension, dubbed AAS.

In 1989, Mazda offered a special four-wheel steering (commonly abbreviated 4WS) option on MX-6 GTs destined for the U.S. This system consisted of an electronically controlled rear steering rack that turned the rear wheels opposite to the fronts at low speeds to improve cornering, and turned the rear wheels with the fronts at high speeds to improve highway lane change maneuvering. This option was available through all years for GT models in other markets.

European specification vehicles shipped as the 626 Coupé and commonly received either the 1.8 L SOHC F8 or 2.0 L SOHC FE engine in GLX models, or the 2.0 L FE-DOHC engine in their GT models. 4WS was a common option for European 626 Coupés. Australian vehicles were almost always equipped with the 2.2 L turbocharged F2T engine as the US models, as well as 4WS. They also carried the MX-6 name of the American models.

Japanese specification vehicles were shipped as the Capella C2 and were available in several trims, most notably GT-R (FE-DOHC and 4WS), GT-X (FE-DOHC and AAS), or GT-S (F8 and 4WS or AAS). In other parts of East Asia, the MX-6 name was also used.

New Zealand received vehicles in either European or Australian specification, selectable on order. As such, New Zealand-market GTs can have either the F2T 2.2 L turbocharged engine or the FE-DOHC 2.0 L DOHC, with optional 4WS.

{{anchor|second generation|GE}} Second generation (GE; 1991–1997)

• Mazda 626/Cronos/ɛ̃fini MS-6 (GE)
• Mazda Xedos 6/Eunos 500
• Ford Probe | 2.0 L FS-DE I4 | 2.0 L KF-ZE V6 | 2.5L KL-DE/KL-ZE V6
• 5-speed manual
• 4-speed automatic

This version was also released in 1991, and is very similar to the E-spec (as they are built in the same place), but with minor changes. The version sold in Japan was exclusive to Japanese Mazda dealerships, and was not badge engineered and sold at other Mazda Japanese dealerships, unlike the MX-3, the MX-5, and the RX-7 coupes. One-piece headlights were fitted, with indicators incorporated in the fog light housing, as well as a different rear bumper with smaller registration plate cutout, similar to the A-spec. Almost everything was an option, but the 4WS was available, as well as the digital climate control, electric folding mirrors, larger centre console, and of course, the Mazdaspeed body add-ons – a subtle lip kit with Supra-style high-rise rear spoiler.

Engine choice was the KL-ZE 2.5 DOHC V6 making 200 PS, a high-compression version of the KL-DE, or the KF-ZE 2.0 DOHC V6 making 160 PS; all of the K-series engines in the MX-6 were based on the same engine block and included those found in the Ford Probe, Xedos 6, and MX-3 V6 models. The KLZE had about 40 more horsepower than the KLDE versions for a few reasons. Although the displacement was the same, the KLZE had more durations on the cams, higher compression due to a different shape of pistons, and the intake manifold was different on the ZE. The KL-ZE intake manifold runners were shorter and wider than the KL-DE manifold. Also, the heads on the KL-ZE were ported and shaped differently. Not only was the ZE higher in compression, but it was also a higher-revving engine. The only flaws in the KL-ZE design were the weaker valve springs on the intake valves. This is usually corrected by using the KL-DE springs, keepers, and retainers which are stronger.

Four-wheel steering was used from 1987 to 1998 on both MX-6 GT and GE models. Four-wheel steering (4WS) was available on both the first-generation and second-generation MX-6 models, although the North American market only received it for the 1989 GT model. South African MX-6s never received 4WS.

According to Mazda, the system provided:

• Superior cornering stability

• Improved steering responsiveness and precision

• High-speed straight-line stability

• Notable improvement in rapid lane-changing maneuvers

• Smaller turning radius and tight-space maneuverability at low vehicle speed range The system electronically controlled a rear rack that was behind the rear wheels. At low speeds (up to 35 km/h), the rear wheels move in the opposite direction from the front wheels, aiding parking and U-turns by lowering the turning circle. Above these speeds, the rear wheels move in the same direction as the front, meaning control during high-speed maneuvers such as lane changes or cornering was improved. Either way, the turning angle of the rear wheels was slight at just 5°, a measurement Mazda determined to be optimally effective and natural to human sensitivity.

• When the engine is turned off, the rear wheels straighten up. They change back to the angle of the front wheels when the engine is restarted. This is caused by the 4WS control unit powering down, and the fail-safe system overriding the rear rack.

• If the system ever faults, as a fail-safe, the rear wheels lock straight to allow the vehicle normal 2WS functionality.

Models

Future

On 16 October 2018, Mazda filed a trademark application with the Japanese Patent Office for the Mazda MX-6 nameplate which can be used for "automobiles and parts and accessories thereof," hinting that the manufacturer may release a new generation MX-6 in the near future.

References

• Mazda Australia 4WS explanation and history

References

1. Hernandez, Freddy. (2015-02-27). "Here Are Five Reasons Why You Need to Buy a Mazda MX-6". [[Gizmodo Media Group]].
2. (1991-10-02). "Harga mobil baru". Yayasan Beraya Press.
3. Karr, Anthony. (2018-12-04). "Mazda Trademarks MX-6, But Will It Use It?". [[Motorsport Network]].
4. Szymkowski, Sean. (2018-12-04). "Mazda trademarks the MX-6 nameplate, again".
5. Mahoney, John. (2018-12-05). "Mazda MX-6 name trademarked".