Advertising Feature - Cars with Personality

The Mazda marque represents one of the most extensive range of cars available in the UK — from the 150 mph RX-7 Turbo Cabriolet and stunning MX-5 two-seater sports car right through to the highly acclaimed Mazda 323 and the award winning 626.

Throughout the world Mazda has earned itself an enviable reputation for designing, building and producing very special motor cars and can justifiably claim to be a leader in automotive technology. From the popular Mazda 121 ‘Super-Mini’, the highly advanced and revolutionary four-wheel drive Mazda 626 and the unique rotary engined Mazda RX-7 Turbo sports car, Mazda has identified the individual needs of its customers and produces cars to meet different tastes and lifestyles.

This is reflected in the all-new Mazda 323 range which went on sale in the UK last October. Mazda spent four years designing this exciting range of cars to produce exclusive cars that combines practicality and style in every model to make them best in their class throughout

the world.

Superbly responsive 16-valve engines are standard on all models, together with unequalled interior space and specification. In its effort to build a class-winning car, Mazda has designed each of the 323 models to offer the ultimate in strength and durability.

Finish and refinement have been taken to new levels with a secret paint process that has a high-gloss finish, comparable, if not better than some of the world’s finest cars.

However, Mazda has created a unique customer package of family cars with the new 323, boasting three distinctive shapes — the Hatchback, Saloon and Fastback. Three very individual designs and nine separate models are offered to meet the individual demands of the Mazda customer. From the 1.3SE three-door Hatchback through to the stunning 125 mph 323F 1.8i GT Fastback, the Mazda 323 range delivers practicality, style, power and excitement.

Mazda’s ‘Super-Mini — the 121 — is a car that has caught the imagination of people throughout the world. With a four car line-up in the UK, it has proved to be a car with universal appeal. With two engine options available, 1.1 and 1.3-litre, the 121 range has much to offer from the top of the range Sun Top with a roof that electrically folds all the way back, to the economical 1.1LX.

Style and practicality are epitomised in the Mazda 626 range — with a five-door hatchback, four-door saloon, two-door Coupe and Estate variants. The new Mazda 626 is powered by a smooth and responsive range of engines from the 1.8-litre which has been substantially improved for increased power and response to the sporting 16-valve 2.0i GT unit with DOHC delivering 146 bhp.

All of the models are superbly equipped with power-steering, five-speed gearboxes, central locking and a quality radio cassette fitted as standard. Move up into the GLX Executive models and you will find cruise control, ABS, and air conditioning again all fitted as standard. At the top of the range are the GT models with a five-door, two-door Coupé offering sports car performance combined with practicality.

However, the flagship for this exciting range of cars is the all-new Mazda 626 GLX Executive 2.2i 4WD. Using the successful four-wheel drive system as used on the 323 Turbo 4×4 rally cars, it has a responsive 2.2i-litre, fuel injected engine with a catalyst converter. Based on the five-door GT, the 4WD offers a high level of sure-footed sporting performance. Coupled with a revolutionary new ABS system which operates even when all four wheels are being driven — the 626 4WD is an outstanding car to drive.

Two new 626 Estates have powerful engines too with a 2.0-litre 12 valve and the powerful 2.0i DOHC 16-valve unit in the GT Estate. As lavishly equipped as their saloon equivalents, all the Estates feature a third row of seats which turns the car into an instant seven seater.

For sheer sports performance there are the unique rotary engined RX-7 Turbo Cabriolet and Coupe.

Under the bonnet is the exciting turbocharged engine which punches out 200 bhp and delivers a blistering 150 mph and 0-60 mph in around six seconds.

Coupled to this outstanding performance is a catalytic converter so the RX-7s are kind to the environment . . . Plus there is a clever manifold system which minimises turbo lag to create smooth performance with turbine smoothness. New standards of agility and stability make handling for long motorway runs or quick cross-country dashes a dream. Style, power and supreme comfort have come together dramatically to make the RX-7 a sports car that exceeds expectations.

One of the most exciting cars to be seen in the UK for some years is the Mazda MX-5 two-seater sports car. This car has caused a sensation throughout the world, winning international acclaim and achievement awards. It has all the famous traditions of the 1960s sports car yet boasts Mazda’s state of the art technology. The MX-5 has just gone on sale in the UK and promises to be the experience of the 1990s.

Written and designed by William Kimberley