Mazda Luce

Mazda Luce

Manufacturer	Mazda
Also called	Mazda 929
Production	1966–1990
Assembly	Hiroshima, Japan
Successor	Mazda Sentia
Class	luxury car
Layout	FR layout

Mazda used the Luce (pronounced lu-che) name on its largest sedan in Japan from 1969 until 1990. It was exported under a variety of names, including RX-4, 929, and Cosmo. The Luce nameplate was replaced by the Mazda Sentia name in 1991. The name "Luce" was taken from the Italian word for "light".

The vehicle identified as the Luce remained in compliance with Japanese regulations concerning engine displacement and exterior dimensions for vehicles classified as a compact.

1965

Mark 1

Also called	Luce 1500/1800/R130 Mazda 1500 Mazda 1800
Production	1966–1972 (1500) 1968–1973 (1800) 1969–1972 (R130) R130: <1,000 built
Body style	2-door coupé 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Layout	FR layout
Engine	1.5 L UB I4 (1500) 1.8 L VB I4 (1800) 1.3 L 13A (R130) Wankel engine
Transmission	4-speed manual
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

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 brothers.

The production version, launched in August 1966, had a higher roofline but retained the BMW look. It was a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive 4-door sedan, and featured a square 1.5 L (1490 cc) 1500 SOHC engine, producing 78 hp (58,1 kW) at 5,500 rpm and 84.5 lb·ft (114.6 N·m). It sold poorly at ¥ 695,000 (US$1,930). The 1500ss version with twin carburettors was later introduced, producing 86 hp (64,1 kW) at 5,500 rpm and 86.9 lb·ft (117.8 N·m) at 5,500 rpm. A stroked 1.8 L (1,796 cc) 1800 engine was added for 1968. This new model, the Luce 1800, produced 104 hp (74,5 kW) at 5,500 rpm and 112 lb ft at 2,500 rpm. An estate (station wagon) was also added. It was introduced two years before the Toyota Corona Mark II and the Nissan Laurel in Japan.

The Luce Mark I was sold in Australia under the names "Mazda 1500" and "Mazda 1800".

R130

1969 Mazda Luce R130 (Rotary) coupé

A rotary-powered Luce appeared in 1969. The Luce R130 was produced from October 1969 to 1972. It used a 1.3 L 13A engine, which produced 126 hp (94 kW) and 127 lb·ft (172 Nm). Quarter-mile (400 m) performance was 16.9 seconds. This model designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, then working for Bertone, was a front-wheel-drive two-door coupé with front disc brakes. This model, Mazda's only front-wheel-drive rotary, is now a collector's item and very rare.

1800 (USA)

The Mazda brand entered the United States market in 1970 with just the small R100, but expanded to a full line in 1971. This included all three of the company's piston-powered models, the compact 1200, mid-size 616, and full-size 1800.

The US-market 1800 produced 98 hp (73 kW) and 108 lb·ft (146 N·m) and cost US$2,280. Performance was sluggish, with a 0-60 mph time of 17.5 seconds and a 20.5 seconds and 65 mph (105 km/h) quarter mile. Unlike the rotary cars, the 1800 was a flop. Road & Track magazine said it was solid to the point of being overly heavy, with pleasant handling but poor performance. It was gone from the market for 1972.

Opposite to what happened in the U.S., in Europe the 1800 had a better performance with 104 hp (78 kW) at 5,500 rpm (SAE) and maximum torque of 109 lb·ft (148 N·m) at 3,000 rpm (SAE), for a 0-60 mph time of 13.4 seconds. The poor performance of this engine in USA was probably due to fact that in USA the petrol had an octane index of only 85 r.o.n. while in Europe the petrol at the time had an octane index of 95 r.o.n (up to 100 r.o.n. today). Also the manual transmission with four gears used in Europe contributed to a much better performance than the three-speed automatic transmission usually used in the US. The 1800 (fitted with a manual transmission) also sold in small numbers in Australia.

The number of Mazda 1800 automobiles imported into the U.S. are as follows.

• 1970 - 1,058 Sedan - 937 Estate
• 1971 - 1,020 Sedan - 1,639 Estate
• 1972 - 100 Sedan - 0 Estate

The 1800 saloon (model SVA - 4-door) was producedn from 1968 through 1973 where a reported 39,401 units were made. An 1800 estate version (model SVAV - station wagon) was added in 1970.

1972

Mark 2

Also called	Mazda 929 Mazda RX-4
Production	1972 – 1977
Body style	2-door coupé 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Layout	FR layout
Engine	1.2 L 12A Wankel 1.3 L 13B Wankel 1.8 L VC I4 2.0 L F/MA I4
Transmission	4-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Wheelbase	2,510 mm (99 in) sedan
Length	4,240 mm (167 in) sedan
Width	1,660 mm (65 in) sedan
Height	1,410 mm (56 in) sedan
Curb weight	1,060 kg (2,337 lb) sedan

The 1972 rotary Luce was also known as the Mazda RX-4 in export markets. It was available as a coupé, sedan, and "custom" (station wagon). Two rotary engines were offered, the regular 12A and low-emission AP 13B.

Engines:

• 1973–1976 1.8 L (1,769 cc) 1800 I4, 2-barrel, 83 hp (61 kW)/101 lb·ft (137 N·m)
• 1975–1976 2.0 L (1,970 cc) F/MA I4, 2-barrel, 103 hp (76 kW)/123 lb·ft (167 N·m)
• 1972–1976 13B (1,308 cc), 127 hp (93 kW)/138 lb·ft (188 N·m)

RX-4

1975 Mazda RX-4 coupé

The Mazda RX-4 (called the Luce Rotary in Japan) is an automobile sold in the 1970s. It was a larger car than its rotary-powered contemporaries, the Capella-based RX-2 and Grand Familia-based RX-3. It shared the Luce chassis, replacing the R130 in October 1972, and was produced through October 1977. Its predecessor (the R130) and replacement (the rotary Luce Legato) were not sold in the United States. Mazda marketed the RX-4 as being sporty and luxurious with the RX-4 having the best of both worlds. This gave Mazda a well needed boost in the popularity of the Wankel engine unique to Mazda.

The RX-4 was initially available as a hardtop coupé and sedan, with a station wagon launched in 1973 to replace the Savanna Wagon. Under the hood at first was a 130 hp (97 kW) 12A engine, but this was replaced by the larger 13B in 1974 producing 125 hp (93 kW), for export. This engine was Mazda's new "AP" (for "anti-pollution") version, with much-improved emissions and fuel economy, but somewhat worse cold-starting behavior.

In South Africa it was produced until 1979, all years only with the 12A engine.

The car used an strut-type independent suspension in front with a live axle in the rear. Brakes were discs in front and drums in the rear. Curb weight was low at 2,620 lb (1,188 kg) and the wheelbase fairly short at 99 in (2510 mm). The body was freshened in 1976.

United States RX-4

For the United States market, the RX-4 was sold from 1974 through 1978, when the RX-7 debuted. The 13B produced 110 hp (82 kW) and 117 lb·ft (159 N·m) in United States emissions form. Base pricing was $4295, with the automatic transmission ($270) and air conditioning ($395) the only expensive options.

Road & Track magazine was impressed, noting the car's improved fuel economy and price compared to the RX-3. This was notable, as the Wankel engine had suffered by the mid 1970s with a reputation as a gas-guzzler. Performance was good in a 1974 comparison test of six wagons, with an 11.7 s sprint to 60 mph (97 km/h) and an 18 s/77.5 mph quarter-mile. The magazine noted that the wagon's brakes suffered from the extra 300 lb (136 kg) weight compared to the coupé.

The RX-4 was on Road & Track magazine's Ten Best list for "Best Sports Sedan, $3500-6500" in 1975.

1977

Mark 3

Also called	Mazda Luce Legato Mazda 929
Production	1977 – 1981
Body style	4-door hardtop 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Layout	FR layout
Engine	1.2 L 12A rotary 1.3 L 13B rotary 1.8 L VC I4 2.0 L F/MA I4
Transmission	4-speed manual 5-speed manual 3-speed automatic
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
Related	Mazda Cosmo

Mazda 929 Estate

The 1978 Luce Legato (introduced in October, 1977) was a large and luxurious sedan, still powered by Mazda's piston or rotary engines. It was also available as a four-door pillarless hardtop that looked like a huge, square coupé, and a wagon, which had more of a utilitarian role than the sedans. The coupé was renamed the second generation Mazda Cosmo.

This generation sedan was not sold in North America.

Aside from the regular piston-engined variants, the 12A or 13B rotary engines were on offer. The piston-engined variants were exported as the Mazda 929. A rotary-engined version was exported to "general issue" countries and sold as an RX-4. Most RX-4's were sold with the smaller 12A engine.

A facelift was given to the range in 1980, giving the car a more 'European' styled front. When the range was replaced in 1981, the wagon models continued, due to there being no wagon model of the new range developed.

Engines:

• 1977–1980 1.8 L (1,769 cc) I4, 2-barrel, 83 hp (61 kW)/101 lb·ft (137 N·m)
• 1977–1980 2.0 L F/MA (1,970 cc) I4, 1-barrel, 90 hp (66 kW)
• 1977–1980 13B, 127 hp (93 kW)/138 lb·ft (188 N·m)
• 1980–1980 2.2 L diesel, 66 hp (49 kW)/104 lb·ft (142 N·m)

1981

Mark 4

Also called	Mazda Cosmo Mazda 929
Production	1981 – 1986
Body style	2-door hardtop 4-door hardtop 4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout
Engine	2.0 L F/MA I4 2.0 L FE I4 1.2 L 12A Wankel 1.3 L 13B Wankel
Transmission	5-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Wheelbase	2,615 mm (103 in) sedan
Length	4,665 mm (184 in) sedan
Width	1,690 mm (67 in) sedan
Height	1,360 mm (54 in) sedan
Curb weight	1,215 kg (2,679 lb) sedan

For 1981, Mazda brought back the Cosmo name for the HB platform Luce coupé. The sedan was also exported as the Mazda 929. The wagon was essentially the same as the last one from the A-pillar back. Production of the Cosmo continued after the Luce was replaced in 1986.

This generation vehicle was not sold in North America.

Engines:

• 1981–1986 2.0 L (1970 cc) MA I4, 1-barrel, 90 hp (66 kW)/118 lb·ft (160 N·m)
• 1981–1986 2.0 L (1998 cc) FE I4, 2-barrel, 101 hp (74 kW)/115 lb·ft (156 N·m)
• 1981–1986 2.0 L (1998 cc) FE I4, FI, 118 hp (87 kW)/126 lb·ft (171 N·m)

• 

  Rear view of a Luce Genteel-X

• 

  Dashboard of Genteel-X

1986

Mark 5

Also called	Mazda 929 Kia Potentia
Production	1986 – 1991
Body style	4-door hardtop 4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout
Engine	2.0 L FE I4 2.2 L F2 I4 2.0 L JF V6 3.0 L JE V6 1.3 L 13B turbocharged Wankel
Transmission	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
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 1986 Luce was large and luxurious on the HC platform, now with the 13B turbo engine as one of many engine options. It was still exported as the 929, and differed from the (continued) Cosmo. In the 1990s Mazda sold the body stampings to Kia where it was reproduced until the early first decade of the 21st century in piston form and sold in Korea only as the Kia Potentia.

This generation vehicle was sold in North America after the arrival of the Acura Legend in 1988 in sedan bodystyle only; the hardtop was not available, nor were the rotary engines. Actor James Garner was used as a spokesman introducing the 929 to North America

1991 was the last year of the Luce nameplate. The Eunos Cosmo was already on sale (JC), and the HD platform spawned the Mazda Sentia (now exported as the 929), and the Efini MS-9, making 1991 the last year for a 4-door rotary powered sedan prior to the RX-8.

Engines:

• 1986–1991 2.0 L (1,998 cc) FE I4, FI, 116 hp (85 kW)/121 lb·ft (164 N·m)
• 1986–1991 2.2 L (2,184 cc) F2 I4, 1-barrel, 115 hp (85 kW)/129 lb·ft (175 N·m)
• 1986–1991 2.2 L (2,184 cc) F2 I4, FI, 127 hp (93 kW)/141 lb·ft (192 N·m)
• 2.0 L JF V6
• 2.0 L JFT V6 FI, 150 hp (112 kW)
• 1986–1991 3.0 L (2,954 cc) JE V6, FI, 165 hp (121 kW)/182 lb·ft (247 N·m)
• 13B turbo

Kia Potentia

Kia Potentia

When the HC series Luce was replaced with the Mazda Sentia, it continued to be manufactured in South Korea as the Kia Potentia. That vehicle was in production from 1992 until 2001 using the 2.0 liter 4-cylinder Mazda FE-DOHC engine, which was the same as the first generation Kia Sportage's gasoline version, 2.2 liter 4-cylinder and a 3.0 liter V6. The Potentia was replaced by the Kia Enterprise, which was based on the Mazda Sentia and introduced in 1997 after the Sentia was cancelled.

References

• Yamaguchi, Jack K. (1985). The New Mazda RX-7 and Mazda Rotary Engine Sports Cars. St. Martin's Press, New York. ISBN 0-312-69456-3. 
• Jan P. Norbye (1973). "Watch out for Mazda!". Automobile Quarterly XI.1: 50–61. 

External links

• [1] Crazy on this car: Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car, 1967 Luce 1500
• 1992-95 Mazda 929 info at Consumer Guide
• Mazda.com History of Rotary
• New York Rotary Association - New Yorks Biggest Rotary Engine Auto Club (NYRA)
• GAZOO.com Mazda Luce (1st gen) (Japanese)
• GAZOO.com Mazda Luce (2nd gen) (Japanese)
• GAZOO.com Mazda Luce (3rd gen) (Japanese)
• GAZOO.com Mazda Luce (4th gen) (Japanese)
• GAZOO.com Mazda Luce (5th gen) (Japanese)