Mazda 626

Mazda 626

Manufacturer	Mazda
Production	1979–2002
Predecessor	Mazda 616/618
Successor	Mazda Atenza/Mazda6
Class	Europe: Large family car North America: Compact (1977-1992) Mid-size (1993-2002)

The Mazda 626 is an automobile that was produced by Mazda for the export market. It was based on the Japan-market Mazda Capella. The 626 replaced the 616/618 and RX-2 in 1979 and was sold through 2002, when the new Mazda6 took over as Mazda's large family car. 4,345,279 of the 626 and Ford Telstar models were sold worldwide.

The 626 was also sold as the Ford Telstar in Asia, Australasia and Southern Africa, but was later replaced by the European-sourced Ford Mondeo. While in Europe it was always considered a large family car, in North America the first two generations of the 626 were compact cars, and the third, fourth and fifth were mid-size cars.

Predecessors

The 1971 model 616 and 1972 model 618 had been modest successes in the United States, each lasting just a single year. By 1980, the American public was ready for a compact piston-engined Mazda, and the 626 has been a top seller for the marque ever since.

CB (1978-1982)

Mark 1

Production	1978–1982
Assembly	Hiroshima, Japan, Auckland, New Zealand
Body style	2-door coupe 4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout
Engine	2.0 L F/MA I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Wheelbase	98.8 in (2,510 mm)
Length	173.8 in (4,410 mm)
Related	Mazda Capella Mazda Montrose

The first Mazda 626, the CB series, began appearing in 1978, although the model's introduction to most markets was delayed until 1979. The 626 was a front-engined rear-wheel drive compact, little changed from the Japan-market Mazda Capella with an 80 hp (60 kW) 2.0 L SOHC inline-four F/MA engine and featuring a split-folding rear seat.

The coupe and sedan were mechanically identical with front MacPherson struts and a solid axle in back mounted on four links and riding on coil springs, either a five-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission and recirculating ball steering.

Mazda facelifted the CB series 626 in 1980. The update brought flush-fitting headlamps and a new grille insert. The grille was lengthened slightly to remove the body-colored gap between the headlamps and grille on the original model. It was also reduced in height so that the grille and headlamps formed a single "band" across the front-end.

Model	Years	Engine	Power	Torque
All	1979	2.0 L F/MA I4	80 hp (60 kW)
	1979–1982	2.0 L F/MA I4	75 hp (56 kW)

Pre-facelift Mazda 626 sedan (Australia)  Facelift Mazda 626 sedan (Australia)

GC (1982-1987)

Mark 2

Also called	Mazda Capella
Production	1982–1987
Assembly	Hiroshima, Japan Hofu, Japan Bogotá, Colombia Auckland, New Zealand
Body style	2-door coupé 4-door sedan 5-door hatchback
Layout	FF layout
Platform	Mazda GC platform
Engine	1.6 L F6 I4 2.0 L FE I4 2.0 L FET turbo I4 2.0 L RF diesel I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 3/4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	98.8 in (2,510 mm)
Length	177.8 in (4,520 mm)
Related	Ford Telstar Kia Concord

The front-wheel-drive model appeared in September 1982 with the GC platform. It was named Import Car of the Year by Motor Trend magazine and Car of the Year by Wheels magazine for 1983. The new 2.0 L FE engine was up to 83 hp (62 kW) for the North American market. In other regions including Finland, the 626 offered 101 hp (75 kW) with a twin barrel carburetor. The rear suspension was now independent, and though the wheelbase remained the same as the previous model, it was an entirely different car. A SOHC non-turbo diesel 2.0 L RF 66 hp (49 kW) engine was made available; twenty examples were imported officially into Australia from 1983 to 1987. European markets also received a 1.6 L F6 80 hp (60 kW) engine.

A 626 GT (also called the Turbo) was introduced in 1986 using the 120 hp (89 kW) and 150 lb·ft (200 N·m) FET engine. The rest of the line got a new front clip with dual (rather than quad) headlights and an entirely new interior, and fuel injection on the base engine meant 93 hp (69 kW). A new four-speed automatic was introduced for 1987, the last year of this series.

The GC continued in production in South Africa, where facelifted version was produced by Samcor, until 1993. The GD was not sold in South Africa, although it was assembled in neighbouring Zimbabwe.

Model	Years	Engine	Power	Torque
Base	1983–1985	2.0 L FE I4	83 hp (61 kW)
	1986–1987	2.0 L FE I4	93 hp (69 kW)
Diesel	1984–1987	2.0 L RF I4	66 hp (49 kW)
Europe	1983–1987	1.6 L F6 I4	80 hp (60 kW)	89 lb·ft (120 Nm)
Finland Etc	1983–1987	2.0 L FE I4	101 hp (75 kW)
GT	1986–1987	2.0 L FET I4	120 hp (89 kW)	150 lb·ft (203 Nm)

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  1983 Mazda 626 Coupé (Europe)

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  1983-1985 Mazda 626 5-door hatchback (North America)

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  1983–1985 Mazda 626 (GC) hatchback (Australia)

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  1985–1987 Mazda 626 (GC) sedan (Australia)

GD (1987-1992)

Mark 3

Also called	Ford Telstar
Production	1987–1992
Assembly	Flat Rock, Michigan, United States (AAI) Hiroshima, Japan Hofu, Japan Bogotá, Colombia Willowvale, Zimbabwe (WMMI)
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door hatchback 2-door coupé 5-door station wagon
Layout	FF layout
Platform	Mazda GD platform
Engine	2.2 L F2 I4 2.2 L F2T I4 2.0 L FE-DOHC I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	101.4 in (2,580 mm) 99.1 in (2,520 mm) 2-door coupe
Length	179.3 in (4,550 mm)
Width	66.5 in (1,690 mm)
Height	Hatchback: 54.1 in (1,370 mm) Sedan: 55.5 in (1,410 mm)
Related	Mazda MX-6 Mazda Capella
Designer(s)	Hiroshi Yamamoto (1985)

The 626 was updated in 1987 for the 1988 model year. Now on the GD platform as used by the Capella, it was available as a sedan, Station Wagon (Estate) and five-door hatchback while the coupé was renamed MX-6 for the North American market. The MX-6 was built in Michigan alongside its platform-mate, the Ford Probe at AutoAlliance International, while the 626 was still a Japanese import.

1990–1992 Mazda 626 Eclipse hatchback (Australia)

Consumer response was strong, and Car and Driver magazine named the 626 and MX-6 in their Ten Best list for 1988.

Engines were new, though still emphasized torque rather than power. The base model now used Mazda's 110-horsepower 2.2 L 3-valve SOHC F2 producing just 10 hp (7.5 kW) shy of the old Turbo, and the new Turbo was up to 145 hp (108 kW). European versions used 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 (non-turbo) engines. The GT model had a 2.0-liter FE-DOHC engine that produced 148 (non-cat) or 140 PS (cat).

4-wheel-steering was introduced to the 626 Turbo in 1988 (to mixed reviews) and was transferred to the MX-6 Turbo a year later. Mazda's system was electronic and more complex than the 4WS system introduced by Honda on the 1988 Prelude; these two marked the first 4WS systems for the American market. This system was still available in Japanese markets for some time after.

It came in three bodystyles: Sedan (Saloon), Hatchback and Station Wagon (Estate). The Station Wagon had a 7-seat option. All of the bodies also had an ABS option. The final face lift made a driver's side airbag an option for the buyer.

The 626 line was face-lifted for 1990 and gained motorized seat-belts in the USA market. 626 hatchbacks disappeared after 1991 from the US Mazda model range. The Station Wagon (Estate) was still available up until 1997.

UK trim levels were LX (1.8-litre), GLX (1.8/2.0) and GT (2.0/2.2). There was also an estate model with either the 2.0i 8v or 16v engine, or the 2.2 12v.

Mazda 626 GLX coupe (Colombia)  1990–1992 Mazda 626 sedan (Australia)  1995–1997 Mazda 626 wagon (Australia)

Model	Years	Engine	Power	Torque
Base (North America)	1988–1992	2.2 L F2 I4	110 hp (82 kW)	130 lb·ft (180 N·m)
Base (Europe)	1987-1990	2.0 L FE I4	90 hp (67 kW)	110 lb·ft (150 N·m)
GT (North America)	1988–1992	2.2 L F2T I4 turbo	145 hp (108 kW)	190 lb·ft (260 N·m)
GT	1987–1992	2.0 L FE-DOHC I4	140/148 hp (103/108 kW)

GE (1992-1997)

Mark 4

Also called	Mazda 626 Cronos Ford Telstar Mazda Matsuri
Production	September 1992–1997
Assembly	Flat Rock, Michigan, United States (AAI) Hiroshima, Japan Hofu, Japan Bogotá, Colombia
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door hatchback
Layout	FF layout
Platform	Mazda GE platform
Engine	2.0 L FS I4 2.5 L KL-DE V6
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	102.8 in (2,610 mm)
Length	184.4 in (4,680 mm)
Width	68.9 in (1,750 mm)
Height	1993-95: 53.9 in (1,370 mm) 1996-97: 55.1 in (1,400 mm)
Related	Mazda MX-6 Mazda Cronos Ford Probe
Designer(s)	Yasuo Aoyagi (1989)

In 1992 the Mazda 626 saw big changes in body style and powertrain since the 626 moved to an entirely different platform. It was now based on the GE platform. The 626 was again Wheels magazine's Car of the Year for a second time in 1992. The very first 1993 Mazda 626 was assembled in Flat Rock, Michigan on September 1, 1992. The car was known as the Cronos in Canada, but dropped the Cronos for the 1996 model year.

New transmissions were designed to give the car more of a "sports car" feel, and production was moved to AutoAlliance International alongside the MX-6 and Ford Probe. This, and the car's component sources, allowed the 626 to be certified as the first official Japanese-branded U.S. domestic automobile. The wagon and hatchback models were not offered in the U.S. but were well received in Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Mazda's 2.5 L V6 engine debuted to rave reviews. The Japanese MX-6 KL-ZE later became a highly sought-after upgrade by 1993–1997 626 owners, as it supplies 200 horsepower compared to the U.S. version KL-DE's stock 170 hp. Though the 626's manual transmission was highly regarded, Four-cylinder 626s from 1994 onwards used the Ford CD4E automatic transmission (designated by Mazda as LA4A-EL), which was an attempt to solve some of the 1993 model's transmission related issues. The CD4E was manufactured by Ford at their Batavia, Ohio facility. The CD4E was manufactured in Batavia, Ohio under the partnership name of ZF Batavia; a joint venture between Ford and ZF Friedrichshafen AG.

It wasn't until a few years after the 4th generation of the Mazda 626 was produced that it became known for its extremely high failure rate thus making the change in 1994 to the CD4E an irrelevant one. It is widely known to transmission specialists that the CD4E overheats due to a poorly designed valve body and torque converter. Mazda issued a couple of Technical Service Bulletins (0400502, 01598, 003/97K, 006/95) regarding the transmission and torque converter. Dealerships were briefly instructed to install an external transmission cooler, but at cost to the owner and only if requested. The CD4E was produced until 2008 at Batavia. No recall was ever issued for a single year of the CD4E, causing a loss of confidence from the general public in years to come.

Also in 1994, a passenger side airbag was added, and the V6 spread to the LX trim in addition to the leather ES trim. Some models of the 1994 and 1995 Mazda 626, Mazda MX-6, and Ford Probe 2.0L automatics were outfitted with Ford's EEC-IV diagnostic system. New for 1996 and 1997 models were a redesigned hood (raised center portion), chrome grille fairing (attached to the hood), and the introduction of the On Board Diagnostics II revision (OBD-II).

The European (E-spec) and Asian (JDM) models had many differences versus the North American (A-spec) models. These include: raised turn signal side markers vs the A-Spec flush mounted side markers, small fog lights with silver bezels vs the A-Spec full fitting fog lights, different interior cloth patterns, projector headlamps (glass lenses), a 1.8 L FP engine, and a hatchback model.

In Colombia the car was named 626 Matsuri to differentiate from the past version that was sold at the same time.

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  1996-1997 Mazda 626 sedan (US)

• 

  1992–1994 Mazda 626 sedan (Australia)

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  1994–1997 Mazda 626 liftback (Australia)

• 

  1994–1997 Mazda 626 liftback (Australia)

Model	Years	Engine	Power	Torque
European	1993–1997	1.8 L F I4	104 hp (78 kW)	127 lb·ft (172 N·m)
Base	1993–1997	2.0 L FS I4	118 hp (88 kW)	127 lb·ft (172 N·m)
V6	1993–1997	2.5 L KL V6	164 hp (122 kW)	160 lb·ft (217 N·m)

GF (1998)

Mark 5

Also called	Ford Telstar
Production	1998–2002
Assembly	Flat Rock, Michigan, United States (AAI) Hiroshima, Japan Hofu, Japan Bogotá, Colombia Willowvale, Zimbabwe (WMMI)
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door hatchback
Layout	FF layout
Platform	Mazda GF platform
Engine	1,839 cc FP I4 (Europe) 1,991 cc FS-DE I4 2,496 cc KL-G4 V6 1,998 cc RF-T TD I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	105.1 in (2,670 mm)
Length	4,575 mm (180.1 in) 4,660 mm (183.5 in) (Wagon) 4,740 mm (186.8 in) (US, 1998-99) 4,760 mm (187.4 in) (US, 2000-02)
Width	69.3 in (1,760 mm)
Height	55.1 in (1,400 mm)
Related	Mazda Capella

Model year 1998 brought the fifth-generation 626, now on the GF platform. North American 626's were again built by AutoAlliance International in Flat Rock, Michigan, and had slight body differences and engine options from 626's sold in the rest of the world (which are the same as the corresponding generation of the Capella).

The FS ignition system was changed from distributor to coilpack and given the new designation of FS-DE starting in 1998. The FS and FS-DE are incompatible for engine swaps due to the 5th gen's change to a completely computer controlled ignition system which is also heavily reliant on the OBD-II diagnostic system. The FS-DE also has a crank sensor built into the valve cover. The old hole where the distributor was on the FS is now blocked off but it can be bored out by a machine shop to accommodate a distributor again, however the camshaft on the FS-DE is non-geared which the FS required.

The KL-G4 is a revision on the KL-DE used in millions of vehicles worldwide. The KL-G4 is practically indistinguishable from the older KL-DE aesthetically. The real differences lay under the valve cover where among other differences the switch to solid shims vs the KL-DE's hydraulic lash adjusters is immediately noticeable. This is due to the highly pervasive issue of sticking HLA's on the KL-DE causing a loud ticking noise. The same is true for most Mazda's that used HLA's but the KL-DE is known for engine tick. In an effort to combat this the KL-G4 was outfitted with solid lifters. If it helped with engine tick or not is debatable but what is for certain; KL-G4 owners are in for a lifetime of periodic maintenance on adjusting the lifters in the same fashion as rocker type engine owners are accustomed to.

From 1998 through 1999 the 626 was given an engine overhaul to give it better pedal feel. However, as most car reviews attested, it is a bland vehicle with softer handling and fewer features than the 1993–1997 version. Here is one such quote from Edmunds. "A bland, bread-and-butter sedan that's not big enough for families and not sporty enough for enthusiasts." Front side airbags were new options for 2000, as were larger wheels, four-wheel discs, and rear heat ducts. The four-cylinder engine was also upgraded by 5 hp (3.7 kW).

The Mazda 626 GLX is a European and Asian only trim level of the Mazda 626 not produced or sold in North America. It is Japanese-made, with a 2.0 L four-cylinder DOHC-engine (FS) and a four-speed automatic transmission, which produces 125 hp (93 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 133 lb·ft (180 N·m) at 4,000 rpm. The two-litre turbo diesel version was added to European market versions beginning in fall of 1998. The European trim levels are LXI, GXI, GSI, GXI SPORT, Atlantis, GXI SE, GSI SE

The final Mazda 626 rolled off the Flat Rock, Michigan assembly plant on August 30, 2002 but in Columbia they were still being produced until 2006.

Model	Years	Engine	Power	Torque
Europe	1997–2002	1.8 L FP I4	90 PS (66 kW)	145 N·m (107 lb·ft)
Base (US)	1998–1999	2.0 L FS I4	125 hp (93 kW)	127 lb·ft (172 N·m)
	2000–2002	2.0 L FS I4	130 hp (97 kW)	135 lb·ft (183 N·m)
V6 (US)	1998–2002	2.5 L KL V6	170 hp (130 kW)	163 lb·ft (221 N·m)
TD (Euro)	1998–2002	2.0 L RF-T TD I4	101 PS (74 kW)	220 N·m (160 lb·ft)

The European 626 was available with 2 different 2.0 engines, a 115 BHP engine was available from 1998 to 2002 in all models except for the GSI SE and Sport models which had the 136BHP FS engine.

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  1997–1999 Mazda 626 (GF) sedan (Australia)

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  1997–1999 Mazda 626 (GF) Classic sedan (Australia)

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  1999–2002 Mazda 626 (GF) Classic sedan (Australia)

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  Mazda 626 (GF) Wagon (Europe)

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  1998-1999 Mazda 626 (US)

2003 Concept

Mark 6 Concept

Production	Concept Only
Body style	4-door sedan
Engine	2.5 L KLZE V6
Transmission	5-speed manual
Wheelbase	102.8 in (2,610 mm)
Length	181.0 in (4,600 mm)
Width	70.0 in (1,780 mm)
Height	55.5 in (1,410 mm)

In 2000-2001 Mazda built the 626 MPS (Mazda Performance Series) which was to be the next iteration of Mazda 626. It debuted at the 2000 Geneva motor show as a concept car and only a few were ever produced. It was very similar in appearance to the Mazda 6 but boasted classic 626 exterior and interior features such as the familiar 626/MX-6 headlights, front grille, gauge cluster, and coupe de grace of all 626 accoutrements; oscillating air conditioning vents. The new platform was directly in line with 626 styling and could have made it one of the best looking 626's ever designed. Portions of the center console were redesigned to be slimmer for more leg room, cup holders moved, new window control units based on the 2000-2002 model, and 3 more gauges located in the center dash (presumably for oil pressure, temperature, and boost).

It would have included a new 2.5L 280 horsepower twin turbo re-design of the KL-ZE engine. The KL-ZE (KL31) engine had become a popular performance upgrade for the 1993–1997 626, MX-6, Ford Probe, and Ford Telstar. However, the 626 MPS was never realized as the next generation of the 626.

External links

• Mazda626.net Home of the Mazda 626 Enthusiast
• Specialist online store for Mazda 626, UK Based, ships to Europe