Mazda Capella

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It has been suggested that Mazda 626 be merged into this article or section.
(Discuss) Proposed since March 2012.
Mazda Capella

Manufacturer Mazda
Production 1970–2002
Successor Mazda Atenza/Mazda6
Compact (1970–1987)/Mid-size (1988–
Class
2002)

The Mazda Capella is a midsize family car manufactured by Mazda Motor Corporation from
1970 to 2002. Sold in the Japanese Domestic Market under the Capella name, the vehicle was
also commonly known in other major markets as the 626. Mazda's partner at the time, Ford
Motor Company would also use the Capella platform to create the Ford Telstar and Ford
Probe.

Designed to compete against Japanese midsize stalwarts such as the Honda Accord and
Nissan Bluebird, the Capella would be succeeded by the Mazda Atenza in 2002.

Contents
[hide]
 1 1970
o 1.1 616/618 (USA)
 2 1978
 3 GC (1982–1987)
 4 1987
 5 1993
 6 1997
 7 2002
 8 References

 9 External links
[edit] 1970
Mark 1

Mazda 616
Also called
Mazda 618
Production 1970 — 1977
2-door coupe
Body style
4-door sedan
Layout FR layout
Engine 1.6 L I4
Transmission 4-speed manual
Wheelbase 97 in (2,464 mm)
Length 163 in (4,140 mm)
Width 62 in (1,575 mm)
Height 56 in (1,422 mm)
Related Mazda RX-2

The first Capella was introduced in 1970 and lasted until 1974. It was powered by a 4-
cylinder SOHC valve engine displacing 1.6 L (1586cc). Bore was 78 mm and stroke was
83 mm. Output was 104 hp (77 kW) and 106 lb·ft (144 Nm).

This generation was sold in export markets as the Mazda 616 in sedan and, for some markets,
coupe configurations.

An optional Mazda Wankel engine was offered and known as the Mazda RX-2 outside Japan.

The RX-2 was assembled under contract in New Zealand from 1972 for Mazda New Zealand
by Motor Industries International in Otahuhu, South Auckland. It was the first and only
rotary-engined car ever to be assembled in the country and was made as both a sedan, with
manual or automatic transmission and a manual-only coupe. The 616 was also built but was
much less popular.

The Capella received a minor facelift in 1974.

[edit] 616/618 (USA)

The 616 was a major component of Mazda's United States expansion in 1971, having been
preceded by its rotary brother, the RX-2, the previous year. It featured the 1.6 L (1586 cc)
engine, which was later used in the 808. The American Capella was updated and renamed the
next year. The 1972 618 had a larger 1.8 L (1796 cc) engine. Lasting just one year, the 618
nameplate was not used again in the United States and the only Capella for 1973 was the RX-
2.

[edit] 1978
Mark 2

Production 1978 — 1982

2-door coupe
Body style
4-door sedan
Layout FR layout
1.6 L F/MA I4
Engine
2.0 L F/MA I4
Wheelbase 2,470 mm
Length 4,260 mm
Width 1,580 mm
1,395 mm (coupe)
Height
1,420 mm (sedan)
Curb weight 1,005 kg
Mazda 626
Related
Mazda Montrose

The second generation rear-wheel drive Capella was available between 1978 and 1982, in
both sedan and coupe forms. It was known on export markets as the Mazda 626, with the
exception of the United Kingdom, where it was called the Mazda Montrose, the name was
changed to honour the local Mazda dealership in Montrose. Early models had two slightly
different frontal treatments, one with a more pronounced sloping grille to denote some
models, particularly on the Japanese domestic market. A bolder front and rear facelift, though
similar in appearance, was done for 1981 but this model was not sold in the UK. It was,
however offered in Europe and this and later generations were particularly popular in
Germany.

This generation was assembled in New Zealand in three versions - four-speed manual base,
three-speed automatic mid range and five-speed manual Limited. Facelift models were much
the same but some had velour upholstery and tinted glass.

In 1982, Mazda NZ offered a locally assembled limited edition model called the Anniversary
to mark 10 years of local build. Based on the Limited, this model had larger US-style
bumpers, additional driving lights in the grille, a standard AM radio (this was a year before
FM stereo radio was introduced in NZ) plus alloy wheels and unique velour upholstery. This
was also the first NZ-built Mazda to have a laminated windscreen as standard.
[edit] GC (1982–1987)
Mark 3

Production 1983 — 1987

2-door coupe
Body style 4-door sedan
5-door hatchback
Layout FF layout
2.0 L FE I4
Engine
2.0 L FET I4
Mazda 626
Ford Telstar
Related
Kia Concord
Kia Capital

In September 1982 the third generation Capella was released using the new front-wheel-drive
GC platform. As before, the international version was named the Mazda 626 (see that article
for more information). Sedan and Coupé bodystyles were offered as before, with - due to
demand - a five-door hatchback variant added.

Ford Asia Pacific (FASPAC) also sold the 626 as the Ford Telstar (complete with slightly
different styling and dashboard) in place of the UK-sourced Cortina but did not offer coupe
versions.

Mazda New Zealand initially assembled 626 'short nose' 1.8-litre four-door sedan and a 'long
nose' two-litre five-door model with a higher trim level including a digital instrument panel. A
small number of two-door coupés were imported built-up from Japan. Laminated windscreens
were now standard. A mid-life facelift for the 1985 model year brought a completely new
dashboard with orange digital LCD electronic displays in top models (in place of the earlier
luminescent green) and the sedan now had the long nose and two-litre engine.

Ford's Telstar received similar changes.

[edit] 1987
Mark 4
Production 1987 — 1993
2-door coupe (MX-6)
4-door sedan
Body style
5-door hatchback
5-door station wagon (GV Platform)
Layout FF layout
2.2 L F2 I4
Engine 2.2 L F2T I4
2.0 L RFT I4
Mazda MX-6
Ford Probe
Related
Mazda 626
Ford Telstar

The fourth-generation Capella was released in 1987. It used the updated GD platform and
some versions remained in production in Japan until 1996. Some models were available with
a new 2.0 diesel RFT engine, notable for its use of a pressure wave supercharger (Comprex),
that previously could be found in the Mazda Bongo commercial. Diesel models were also
exported to Europe.

A station wagon version was introduced on a slightly modified platform (called the GV).

Mazda New Zealand again assembled a range of four-door sedan and five-door hatchback
models, supplemented by the newly available wagon, and imported the coupe and a top five-
door version, both with electronically controlled rear-wheel steering. Ford New Zealand's
Telstar line was similar, including the wagon and imported rear wheel steer models, but
without the coupe. The wagon's arrival enabled Ford to drop the UK-sourced Sierra wagon
from local assembly, simplifying model sourcing.

The NZ-specification cars, though imported CKD, shared much of their specifications with
European models including the modified tail lamp assemblies with the mandatory-for-Europe
fog light lenses though the bulbs and wiring were not included.

This and later generations would also be imported used from Japan in later years, greatly
widening the choice of models and specifications available in this market.

[edit] 1993
Mark 5
Production 1993 — 1997
4-door sedan
Body style
5-door station wagon (GV Platform)
Layout FF layout
2.0 L F I4
Engine
2.5 L KL V6
Eunos 500
Xedos 6
Related
Mazda Lantis
Ford Telstar II

The fifth-generation Capella was introduced in 1993 in Japan. The Mazda Cronos and Efini
MS-6 had taken the GE platform that the Capella might have used. So Mazda introduced a
new Capella on the CG platform designed for the upscale Mazda Lantis and Eunos 500. This
vehicle lasted just three years, and the Capella name returned to the G platform after 1996.

The Capella Cargo (station wagon) remained on the old GV platform until 1996.

Mazda New Zealand assembled this generation for four years with few changes. Ford's
variants (since 1987 all built in the same Ford-Mazda joint venture Vehicle Assemblers of
New Zealand (VANZ) factory in Wiri, South Auckland) had minor styling and equipment
differences (the top Telstar hatchback had an electric sunroof) and anti-lock brakes were now
standard on some models, for which factory engineers had to build a special test rig at the end
of the assembly line. These were also the first 626/Telstar models to have factory fitted air
conditioning, though only on the top Limited (626) and TX-5 Ghia (Telstar) five-door
hatchbacks.

The previous generation wagon was carried over by both Ford and Mazda and Ford also built
a manual-only previous generation sedan, called the Telstar Classic, aimed at fleet customers.

[edit] 1997
Mark 6

Production 1998 — 2002

Body style 4-door sedan
 5-door hatchback
5-door station wagon
Layout FF layout
1.8 L FP I4
2.0 L FS I4
Engine
2.5 L KL V6
2.0 L RF-T TD I4
Mazda 626
Related
Ford Telstar

A new sixth-generation Capella appeared in 1997 with the GF platform. The Mazda Cronos
name was retired and the Capella, 626, and Telstar once again shared a common platform.
All-wheel drive was optional in Japan.

By now, Ford had decided to reintroduce European models in Australasia so the Mondeo
replaced the Telstar in most markets though the latter was still sold in Japan.

Once again, the station wagon version used a slightly modified, carryover platform (now
called GW). The wheelbase was 60 mm (2.4 in) longer than the sedan, and a V6 engine was
offered.

The Capella was updated in 1999 with a new interior and exterior, cabin air filtration, an
available turbodiesel engine, a new Activematic manually operated automatic transmission,
and available EBD and DSC.

Engines:

 1.8 L FP-DE I4 (1997–2001)

 2.0 L FS-DE I4 (1997–2001)
 2.0 L FS-ZE I4 (1997–2001)
 2.0 L RF Turbo-Diesel I4 (1999–2001)
 2.5 L KL-ZE V6 (Wagon only, 1997–2001)

[edit] 2002
The Capella name was retired in 2002 to make way for the new Mazda Atenza. This model
once again unified the diverse midsize Mazda models around the world, sold as the Mazda 6
in much of the world.

[edit] References
[edit] External links