Efini MS-9
| Mazda Sentia | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer |
Mazda Kia |
| Also called |
Mazda 929 Kia Enterprise |
| Production | 1991–2002 |
| Assembly | Japan: Hiroshima (Mazda) South Korea: Sohari plant, Gwangmyeong (Kia) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size luxury car |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor |
Mazda Luce Kia Potentia |
| First generation (HD) | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Also called | ɛ̃fini MS-9 Mazda 929 Serenia Mazda 929 |
| Production | March 1991 – January 1996 |
| Designer | Dori Regev, Shunji Tanaka (1988) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Platform | HD |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.0 L JE-ZE V6 193hp |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm (112 in) |
| Length | 4,925 mm (194 in) |
| Width | 1,795 mm (71 in) |
| Height | 1,380 mm (54 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,590–1,640 kg (3,505–3,616 lb) |
| Second generation (HE) | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Also called |
Mazda 929 Kia Enterprise |
| Production | October 1995 – 1999 (Mazda) 1998–2002 (Kia) |
| Designer | Dori Regev (1991) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Platform | HE |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.0 L JE-ZE V6 |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm (112 in) |
| Length | 4,895 mm (193 in) |
| Width | 1,795 mm (71 in) |
| Height | 1,420 mm (56 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,530–1,620 kg (3,373–3,571 lb) |
The Mazda Sentia is a large rear wheel drive luxury car that was sold by Mazda in Japan from 1991 to 1999 over two generations. It replaced the Mazda Luce nameplate on the Mazda H platform, and continued the tradition of being Mazda's largest flagship sedan, which had been in production since the late 1960s. The name "sentia" is derived from the Latin word "", meaning to sense, feel or hear.
When the Sentia was cancelled by Mazda, Kia continued its production in South Korea as the Kia Enterprise.
Shortly after the release of the fourth-generation Mazda Luce HC in 1986 (1987 in some markets), development began on a successor. Design work took place under chief designer Shunji Tanaka, who began to consider a more unconventional approach in early 1988. After struggling with development of a theme known as "Prince's Coach" (after the Japanese Crown Prince, now Emperor, Akihito), leading to an unusually large number of rejected full-size models, a young American designer named Peter Montero was tasked with developing a theme with 1/5 scale model. During development of this theme, Montero proposed that, as a non-luxury brand targeting luxury models, a proper rear-wheel drive proportion should be emphasized. After presentation of the theme to and review of the 1/5 scale model with management, a previous full-scale model was modified by pulling the front wheels forward, lengthening it's dash-to-axle distance and shortening its front overhang. Another young designer in Mazda's Hiroshima studio, an Israeli, Dori Regev, then developed the final feasibility-proven design, which was approved later that year and frozen on December 24, 1988 for 1991 production, with prototype testing commencing in 1989.
When the Sentia was introduced in Japan, it was also sold at Mazda's short-lived exclusive luxury channel as the ɛ̃fini MS-9 as a higher content luxury sedan, with optional items on the Sentia as standard on the MS-9. The Sentia was the largest Mazda sold during this era, and came with a 3.0-liter V6 engine, setting the Sentia as the top level flagship of Mazda. The width dimension has particular significance in Japan, due to dimension regulations, where Japanese consumers pay an additional annual tax for larger vehicles.
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Wikipedia