Mazda Xedos 6 | |
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | Mazda |
Also called | Eunos 500 |
Production | 1992-1999 |
Designer | Takeshi Arakawa (1989) |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Mid-size luxury car |
Body style | 4-door sedan |
Layout | FF layout |
Related |
Mazda Capella Mazda MX-6 |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 1.6 L B6-9/B6-E I4 1.8 L FP-DE I4 1.8 L K8-ZE V6 2.0 L KF-1/KF-ZE V6 |
Transmission | 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2,610 mm (102.8 in) |
Length | 4,560 mm (179.5 in) |
Width | 1,700 mm (66.9 in) |
Height | 1,345–1,355 mm (53.0–53.3 in) |
Curb weight | 1,140–1,296 kg (2,513–2,857 lb) |
The Mazda Xedos 6 and Eunos 500 are compact executive cars that were produced between 1992 and 1999, with the Xedos 6 being sold in Europe by Mazda, and the Eunos 500 being sold in Japan and Australia by Eunos. The cars were not sold in North America, with the similar Millenia model offered there instead. In total, 72,101 Xedos 6 and Eunos 500 automobiles were produced.
The Eunos 500 was initially presented at the 1991 Tokyo Motor Show, and was based on the Mazda CA platform, also used by the Mazda Capella. The car entered full production at the start of 1992, with Japanese and Australian market models using the Eunos 500 name (as they were sold under the Eunos brand, and not the Mazda brand) and British models utilizing the Mazda Xedos 6 name.Left-hand drive versions of the Xedos 6, destined for mainland Europe, were first produced in 1993. The car's exterior styling was often praised by reviewers, with Honest John stating that it "could have been the prototype for a new small Jaguar - with Mazda reliability," however, the interior was also criticized for being too dull. There were also plans to market the car under the Amati 300 name, but they did not come to fruition.
The Xedos 6 was available with two different engines: a 1.6-litre straight-four (available from 1993 onwards,) and a 2-litre V6 (available from the car's launch.) The 1.6-litre engine produced 114 hp (85 kW; 116 PS), and was criticized for being underpowered, whilst the 2-litre engine produced 144 hp (107 kW; 146 PS), and was praised for its smooth, free-revving nature. The V6 models were capable of up to 133 mph (214 km/h) with a manual transmission, and 125 mph (201 km/h) with an automatic transmission, and were claimed to be able to do 30-31 miles per gallon (imperial). In comparison, the 1.6-litre models had a top speed of 184 km/h (114 mph) with a manual transmission, or 175 km/h (109 mph) with an automatic. The engines were updated in 1994 to meet the new Euro 1 emissions standards (reducing the power outputs by 7 hp (5 kW; 7 PS) for the 1.6 and 4 hp (3 kW; 4 PS) for the 2-litre,) and again in 1996 to meet the new Euro 2 standards. The 1.6-litre versions, as well as the 2.0 Sport model, were withdrawn from production in 1998, a year before the remaining versions were withdrawn.