Mazda MX-6

Mazda MX-6
Overview
Manufacturer	AutoAlliance International Mazda
Production	1988–1997
Assembly	Flat Rock, Michigan Hiroshima, Japan Hofu, Japan
Body and chassis
Class	Sport compact
Body style	2-door coupe
Layout	FF layout
Powertrain
Transmission	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Chronology
Predecessor	Mazda 626 coupe

The Mazda MX-6 was a front-wheel drive sporty coupe produced by Mazda between 1987 and 1997 to compete with the likes of the Chevrolet Beretta, Toyota Celica, Nissan 240SX and Honda Prelude.

The MX-6 was mechanically identical to the Ford Probe. The two cars shared the GD (1988-1992) and GE (1993-1997) platforms. Along with the Ford Probe, the Mazda MX-6 was designed and built in America in a joint venture with Ford, called Auto Alliance.

First generation (1988-1992)

First generation
Overview
Also called	Mazda 626 Coupé Mazda Capella C2
Production	1988-1992
Body and chassis
Platform	Mazda GD platform
Related	Ford Probe Mazda 626 Mazda Capella
Powertrain
Engine	North American market 2.2L Template:Auto hp I4 F2 2.2L Template:Auto hp I4 F2T European market 1.8L Template:Auto hp I4 F8 2.0L Template:Auto hp I4 FE 2.0L Template:Auto hp I4 FE-DOHC 2.2L Template:Auto hp I4 F2 Japanese Domestic market 1.8L Template:Auto hp I4 F8 2.0L Template:Auto hp I4 FE-DOHC
Dimensions
Wheelbase	Template:Auto in
Length	Template:Auto in
Width	Template:Auto in
Height	Template:Auto in

The first generation MX-6/Probe appeared in 1988 and lasted until 1992 in the United States. In some markets the model years were from 1987 to 1991. It was based on a series of futuristic sports compact concept cars of the early 1980s. It was a large coupe, based on the Mazda GD platform, and was powered by the I4 Mazda F engines.

The US market made use of the F2 2.2 L engine, with the base engine produced 120 hp (82 kW), but a 145 hp (108 kW) turbocharged version was available. European and Japanese market versions were shipped with either the F8 1.8 L, FE 2.0 L or FE-DOHC 2.0 L DOHC engines.

The MX-6 was produced with two transmission options, a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic with overdrive. The MX-6 was also known to be a very reliable car, mechanically.

This generation was available in several trim levels, which differ depending on the market the vehicle was sold in. In the United States, the MX-6 was available in DX, LX, LE, and GT trim levels:

• DX was the "bare bones" model, offering the base Template:Auto hp/Template:Auto ft.lbf F2 2.2 L engine and few options, but most MX-6s sold in the U.S. were equipped with air conditioning.
• LX added power windows, power locks, and power mirrors, as well as an optional electric moonroof.
• LE was a rare "Leather Edition" model that was the same as the LX, but included leather seating surfaces and a leather wrapped shift knob on manual transmission-equipped vehicles.
• GT included all options from the LX, but also stepped up to the F2T 2.2L turbocharged, intercooled engine, which put out Template:Auto hp and Template:Auto ft.lbf of torque delivering a significant performance boost. It also had 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS as optional, and 3 way electronically adjustable suspension, dubbed AAS.

In 1989, Mazda offered a special four wheel steering (commonly abbrieviated 4WS) option on MX-6 GTs destined for the U.S. This system consisted of an electronically controlled rear steering rack that turned the rear wheels opposite to the fronts at low speeds to improve cornering, and turned the rear wheels with the fronts at high speeds to improve highway lane change maneuvering. This option was available through all years for GT models in other markets.

European spec vehicles shipped as the 626 Coupe and commonly received either the 1.8 L SOHC F8 or 2.0 L SOHC FE engine in GLX models, or the 2.0 L FE-DOHC engine in their GT models. 4WS was a common option for European 626 Coupes. Australian vehicles were almost always equipped with the 2.2 L turbocharged F2T engine as the US models, as well as 4WS. They also carried the MX6 name of the American models.

Asian spec vehicles were shipped as the Capella C2 and were available in several trims, most notably GT-R (FE-DOHC and 4WS), GT-X (FE-DOHC and AAS) or GT-S (F8 and 4WS or AAS).

New Zealand received vehicles in either European spec or Australian spec, selectable on order. As such, NZ GTs can have either the F2T 2.2 L turbocharged engine or the FE-DOHC 2.0 L DOHC, with optional 4WS.

Second generation (1993-1997)

Second generation
Overview
Also called	Mazda MX-6 Mystère (For Canada)
Production	1993-1997
Body and chassis
Platform	Mazda GE platform
Related	Ford Probe Mazda 626 Eunos 500 (Mazda Xedos 6) Mazda Capella
Powertrain
Engine	2.0L Template:Auto hp I4 2.5L Template:Auto hp V6 2.5L ~200 hp V6 (KLZE)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	102.8 in (2611 mm)
Length	181.5 in (4610 mm)
Width	68.9 in (1750 mm)
Height	51.6 in (1311 mm)
Curb weight	2775 lb (1259 kg)

In 1993 Mazda unveiled the new MX6, commonly referred to as the second generation. It used the new GE platform, shared by the 626 and Ford rebadged cars, the Ford Probe and the Ford Telstar. It was released in three distinct variants worldwide, known as A-spec, E-spec and J-spec, which relates to their destined markets – US, Europe and Japan, respectively.

A-spec

The A-spec variant was for the North American market only. It was built from 1992 as a 1993 model by AutoAlliance International in Flat Rock, Michigan. There were three trim levels available on the A-spec models:

• 'RS' - Base model, fitted with the FS-DE 2.0 DOHC I4 engine, making Template:Auto hp.
• 'LS' - Luxury model, fitted with the KL-DE 2.5 DOHC V6 engine, making Template:Auto hp. It was also equipped with alloy wheels, a low rear spoiler, CD player, foglights and leather interior.
• 'LS M-edition' - A special edition based on the LS, including different, all-red tail lights, chrome scuff plates, a CD stacker and M-edition stitching on the seats. All M-editions came with burgundy paint, cream leather and gold pin striping.

In 1995 the second generation MX6 was refreshed with different 5-spoke alloy wheels, twin airbags and emmisions changes. Known as the 'GE2', this model ran until 1997. Interesting to note is that unlike the first generation, the second generation MX6 only had one model with a different moniker - the Canadian MX-6 Mystére.

E-spec

Built from 1991 in Japan, for Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. Compared to the A-spec, it has different headlights (a two-piece projector setup) and taillights, different front and rear bumpers, fog lights, wing-mirrors (folding), steering wheel and interior trim. The indicator lights were mounted behind the front wheels, and there no corner bumper lights. It also came with optional digital climate control, and the MX6’s main act – the 4WS system. The engine was the same as the US version – the KL-DE 2.5 DOHC V6 engine, again making Template:Auto hp.

In Australia, the MX-6 was released in November 1991. Only one trim was available. Equipped with the KL-DE 2.5 DOHC V6 engine, sunroof, 4WS etc., with the only remaining options being leather and electric seats. September 1994 was the release of the GE2 update model. Like Mazda Australia did with the GD2, there were now two choices – the 4WS all options MX6, or the 2WS version. They both had new wheels, interior trim, and steering wheel, but only the 4WS version got the sunroof, CD player, leather (which actually only became standard in late '96) and the digital climate control.. The MX-6 lasted until 1997, with the last few rolling out of dealers in 1998.

J-spec

As with most cars, the Japanese kept the best for themselves. This version was also released in 1991, and is very similar to the E-spec (as they are built in the same place), but with minor changes. One piece headlights were fitted, with indicators incorporated in the fog light housing, as well as a different rear bumper with smaller registration plate cutout, similar to the A-spec. Almost everything was an option, but the 4WS was available, as well as the digital climate control, electric folding mirrors, larger centre console, and of course, the Mazdaspeed body add-ons – a subtle lip kit with Supra-style high rise rear spoiler.

Engine was a choice was the KL-ZE 2.5 DOHC V6 making 198bhp, a high compression version of the KL-DE, or the KF-ZE 2.0 DOHC V6 making 159bhp, all of the K series engines in the MX6 were based on the same engine block and included those found in the Ford Probe, Xedos 6 and MX-3 V6 models..

The J-spec MX6s are now quite common around the world, from the UK to Australia and NZ, with the KL-ZE engine conversion alone being popular worldwide.

4WS (Four Wheel Steering)

Used from 1987-1997 on the majority of MX-6s around the world, this was the MX-6s centerpiece.
It was available on both generations, although the North American market only received it for the 1989 model year. South African MX-6s never received 4WS.
According to Mazda, the system provided:

• Superior cornering stability
• Improved steering responsiveness and precision
• High-speed straightline stability
• Notable improvement in rapid lane-changing maneuvers
• Smaller turning radius and tight-space maneuverability at low vehicle speed range

The system electronically controlled a rear rack that was behind the rear wheels. At low speeds (of up to 35 km/h), the rear wheels would move in the opposite direction to the front wheels, aiding parking and U-turns by lowering the turning circle. Above these speeds, the rear wheels would move in the same direction as the fronts, meaning control during high speed manoeuvres such as lane changes or cornering was improved. Either way, the turning angle of the rear wheels was slight at just five degrees, a measurement Mazda determined to be optimally effective and natural to human sensitivity.
Note:

• When the engine is turned off, the rear wheels would straighten up. They would change back to the angle of the front wheels when the engine is restarted. This is caused by the 4WS control unit powering down, and the failsafe system overriding the rear rack.
• If the system ever faults, as a failsafe the rear wheels would lock straight to allow the vehicle normal 2WS functionality.

Models

Year	Model	Engine	Power	Torque	0–60 mph (97 km/h)	.25 mi (0.4 km)	Top speed
1988–1992	DX, LX, LE	2.2 L (2184 cc) F2 I4	120 hp (82 kW)	130 ft·lbf (176 N·m)	8.5	16 at 92 mph	116 mph (214 km/h)
1988–1992	GT	2.2 L (2184 cc) F2T turbo I4	145 hp (108 kW)	190 ft·lbf (258 N·m)	7.1	15.7 at 98 mph	130 mph (214 km/h)
1993–1997	RS	2.0 L (1991 cc) FS I4	118 hp (88 kW)	127 ft·lbf (172 N·m)
1993–1997	LS	2.5 L (2497 cc) KL-DE V6	164 hp (122 kW) at 5600 rpm	156 ft·lbf (212 N·m) at 4500 rpm	7.2	15.6 at 96 mph (142 km/h)	138 mph (214 km/h)
1993–1997	LS	2.5 L (2497 cc) KL-ZE(J-Spec) V6	~200 hp at 6500 rpm	~165 ft·lbf (212 N·m) at 5500 rpm	~6.5	~14.5–15.0	~141 mph (~225–230 km/h)

References

• Patrick Bedard. "Mazda MX-6 LS". Car and Driver (August 1992): 55–59.
• Mazda Australia 4WS explanation and history

External links

• MX6OC.COM - UK Mazda MX6 Owners Club
• MX6.com - USA MX6 forums
• UKPOC United Kingdom Probe Owners Club excellent technical advice and information
• Ford Probe Store, Specialist online store for Ford Probe & Mazda MX3/6, UK Based, ships to Europe