Test Drive Mazda Millenia 1994 - 2002

Sit down for the steering wheel Mazda Millenia

On July 18, 2000, I sit behind the wheel of the Mazda Millenia car with the face updated after restyling. As everyone knows, after it was removed from the production of Sentia, it was that Millenia moved the role of the flagship of the Mazda model range. I will try to experience this flagship on the Khakone test track.
I fell to the updated Millenia and immediately note: everything that is located in front of the front pillar of the body is redone. First, the grill of the radiator. It seems that her form is very familiar to me. Well, of course, this is the most important element, you can say, the symbol of the modern appearance of the Mazda Familia family. But this time she is taken into a chrome frame. And, apparently, therefore looks so significant. Secondly, the headlights of the searchlight type with multi-flexors attract attention to themselves. The side line of the anterior lattice smoothly flows into the hood plane. The entire appearance of the car makes the impression of something not native, foreign, not Japanese. But this can be understood: After all, Millenia is designed primarily for buyers of North America.
I sit on the driver's seat and look in front of myself. Immediately see the above-horizontal front panel cover of the right shape. The interior design is made in bright colors, but ahead is a horizontal plane having a dark color. The reception is understandable: due to the combination of two colors, the volume of the cabin increases visually. But in this particular case it came out not very impressive. But what I came into easy excitement is from the steering wheel, thin in gripping and small diameter. Because it is so at a sports, almost like in the premium sedan.
At first, I opted for a 25M sports configuration, which is equipped with a 2.5-liter engine with 6 cylinders located V-shaped. This motor develops the power of 200 horsepower, whose peak is 6,500 revolutions per minute. Maximum torque of 22.8 kg / m at 4800 rpm. The machine stands on wheels in size 215 / 50R17. Such a size is used exclusively on sports cars. The same can be said about the adjustment of the suspension.
From the catalog I learned that the KL-ZE series with a mirror cycle, which is equipped with Millenia, enters the motor elite. But, in truth, I expected a greater smoothness of rotation from the multi-cylinder engine. And everything went wrong. Not only did the engine worked, I would say, rough, so also the noise it actively penetrated inside the cabin. On the other hand, well, and that, that noisily, but it is freezing!
While I was moving along the usual track, I did not leave the feeling that the pendant springs work somehow dissent. But then the road began to loop and go down, then down. Here I caught myself thinking that I am dealing with the real embodiment of one of the principles of the philosophy of production developed by Mazda. Namely: power multiplied by the controllability by type of instant response. Well, of course, if even in the models of the representative class, the company designers are trying to emphasize the unity of the machine and man in every way, then it is all the more noticeable in sports orientation cars. How is it typical for Mazda!
Then I moved to Millenia another configuration (namely 20m), the engine of which is also composed by type V6. But after acquaintance with the 25th I seemed more weaker. It is easy to understand if you consider that the KF-ZE engine, which is equipped with this modification, according to the parameter, the product of the cylinder cross section on the working stroke of the piston is one step lower than the KL-ZE engine is collected. So it turns out that he rotates easier, and the noise is not so strong. Although partly decrease noise can be explained and easier - a difference of 501 cubic meters. See working volume. But, which is undoubtedly, due to the installation of smaller wheels (215 / 55R16), the suspension began to work softer, which gave a weight gain in terms of comfort. In general, this is a first-class car, but what is called, she does not open anything new. Although, as to know, the role of a dark horse can only until time.
Mazda Millenia 25m stands in Japan 2.755.000 yen (about $ 26.200), 20m 2.350.000 yen (about $ 22.400). That is, the new Millenia becomes one row with such models like Toyota Altezza, three brothers of the Mark II family, Nissan Cefiro and Skyline. Between Toyota and Nissan companies in this niche, such an uncompromising struggle is being carried out that it becomes interesting: is there enough forces from the new car Mazda not to get lost in such a warm company?
Posted by: Aoki Tayino (Aoki Teino)
July 2000

Source: webcg.