Mazda Luce

Mazda Luce
Overview
Manufacturer	Mazda
Also called	Mazda 929
Production	1966 – 1991
Assembly	Japan: Hiroshima Assembly, Hiroshima
Body and chassis
Class	Executive car
Layout	FR layout
Chronology
Successor	Mazda Sentia

SU/SV
1966 1500 Deluxe (Japan)
Overview
Also called	Mazda 1500 Mazda 1800 Mazda R130
Production	July 1966 – March 1973 (1500) October 1968 – March 1973 (1800) 1969–1972 (R130)
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupé 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	1.5 L UB I4 (1500, "SUA") 1.8 L VB I4 (1800, "SVA") 1.3 L 13A Wankel engine (R130)
Transmission	4-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,500 mm (98 in) sedan
Length	4,370 mm (172 in) sedan
Width	1,630 mm (64 in) sedan
Height	1,430 mm (56 in) sedan
Curb weight	1,070 kg (2,359 lb) sedan

LA2/LA3
Luce AP custom sedan
Overview
Also called	Mazda 929 Mazda RX-4
Production	1972–1977 (sedan) 1972–1978 (coupe) 1973–1979 (wagon)
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupé 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	1769 cc VC I4 (LA2V) 1.2 L 12A Wankel (LA22) 1.3 L 13B Wankel
Transmission	4/5-speed manual 3-speed Jatco 3N71B automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,510 mm (99 in) sedan
Length	4,240 mm (167 in) Formal sedan 4,325 mm (170 in) Custom sedan, hardtop 4,405 mm (173 in) Wagon 4,400–4,540 mm (173–179 in) (LA3)
Width	1,660 mm (65 in)
Height	1,410 mm (56 in) sedan
Curb weight	1,060 kg (2,337 lb) sedan

LA4
Overview
Also called	Mazda Luce Legato Mazda 929L Mazda 2000 Mazda RX-9
Production	September 1977 – September 1981 (sedan) 1979–1988 (wagon) 1992-2002 (China)
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 4-door hardtop sedan 5-door station wagon/van
Layout	FR layout
Related	Mazda Cosmo
Powertrain
Engine	1.8 L VC I4 (LA4V) 2.0 L F/MA I4 (LA4M) 1.2 L 12A rotary (LA42) 1.3 L 13B rotary (LA43) 2.2 L S2 diesel I4 (LA4S)
Transmission	4/5-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,610 mm (103 in) sedan
Length	4,625 mm (182 in) sedan
Width	1,690 mm (67 in) sedan
Height	1,385 mm (55 in) sedan
Curb weight	1,235 kg (2,723 lb) sedan

HB series
Overview
Also called	Mazda 929 Mazda Cosmo
Production	August 1981 – 1986
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door hardtop 4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout
Related	Mazda Cosmo
Powertrain
Engine	1.8 L VC I4 2.0 L F/MA I4 2.0 L FE I4 1146 cc 12A Wankel 1308 cc 13B Wankel 2.2 L S2 diesel I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,615 mm (103 in)
Length	4,665 mm (184 in)
Width	1,690 mm (67 in)
Height	1,360 mm (54 in)
Curb weight	1,215 kg (2,679 lb)

HC series
Overview
Also called	Mazda 929 Kia Potentia
Production	July 1986 – May 1991
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door hardtop 4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L FE I4 2.0 L JF V6 2.2 L F2 I4 3.0 L JE V6 1.3 L 13B turbo Wankel
Transmission	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,710 mm (106.7 in)
Length	4,690–4,930 mm (184.6–194.1 in)
Width	1,695–1,725 mm (66.7–67.9 in)
Height	1,440–1,450 mm (56.7–57.1 in)
Curb weight	1,390 kg (3,064.4 lb)

The Mazda Luce (pronounced /luːtʃɛ/) is an executive car that was produced by Mazda in Japan from 1969 until 1991. It was widely exported as the Mazda 929 from 1973 to 1991 as Mazda's largest sedan. Later generations were installed with luxury items and interiors as the Luce became the flagship offering. The Luce was replaced by the Sentia in 1991 which was also exported under the 929 name. The name "" was taken from the Italian word for "light".

Following an agreement signed with Bertone in April 1962, the 1965 Luce 1500 show car was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italy. It was low and sharp, looking more like a contemporary BMW Bavaria than any of its smaller Mazda companion products called the Mazda Familia and the kei car Mazda Carol.

The production version (SUA), started production in July 1966 and launched in August, had a higher roofline but retained the BMW-esque look. It was a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive four-door sedan, and featured a square 1490 cc 1500 SOHC engine, producing 78 PS (57 kW) at 5500 rpm and 114.6 N·m (84.5 lb·ft). It sold poorly at ¥695,000. The 1500 SS version with twin carburettors was introduced in June 1967, producing 86 PS (63 kW) at 5500 rpm and 117.8 N·m (86.9 lb·ft) at 5500 rpm. A stroked 1.8-liter (1796 cc) 1800 engine was added in December 1968. This new model, the Luce 1800, produced 104 PS (76 kW) at 5500 rpm and 152 N·m (112 lb·ft) at 2500 rpm. To accommodate the taller 1800 engine the bonnet on this model has a slight bump in the middle with an air inlet on the leading edge.