Thursday, April 22, 2010
Ford Freestar
Ford Windstar
Mazda Bongo
Mazda MPV
MPV blev udskiftet for 1999 ved hjælp af korte akselafstand, forhjulstræk LW platform og byder på dobbelt skydedøre bagdøre, tredjedel sæderække, som kan folde og tumler ind i en sal fordybning, og dobbelt skydedøre er udstyret med roll-down elruder. På introduktion brugte MPV samme 170-hk DOHC Ford Duratec enhed, drevet Ford Contour og Mercury Mystique og Cougar [2]. DX modeller præsenteret en to-plads midt bænk. Den LX model featured to midterste spande med en funktion, hvorved passagersiden sædet kan glide sidelæns (markedsført som "side af slide"), elruder og låse, opvarmede el spejle, privatliv glas, og bremsesystemer bremser. Den ES model tilføjede overfladen på sæderne, træ tone interiør trim, sidepåkørsel airbags på forsæderne, større hjul og dobbelt zone og bag klimaanlæg. I modelår 2001 tilføjede alle modeller børns sikkerhed plads tether ankre. En valgfri GFX sport udseende pakke blev stillet til rådighed for LX og ES-modeller, som omfattede tågelygterne og aero krop add-ons. 2001-model år løb længe, strækker sig ind i begyndelsen af 2002 i forventning om 2002-refresh. I modelår 2002 modtog MPV Mazda's AJ 3,0 L V6, en 5-trins automatgear producerer 200 hk (149 kW) og 200 £ · ft (270 N · m) et drejningsmoment, en ny kølergrill og byder på en enkelt krom bar på toppen, power skydedøre sidedøre, revideret suspension indstillinger og 17-tommer alufælge. I modelår 2003, maskinelle betjening på sidedøre blev det gjort frivilligt om LX og ES. En base LX-SV-modellen blev tilføjet midtvejs i modellen året. I modelår 2004 modtog MPV en mild udvendig og indvendig makeover. Den udvendige featured nye forlygter og Altezza stil klar baglygterne. Interiør ændringer indarbejdet et nyt rat, gauge omgiver, og en fjeder hjælpe til at lette folde den tredje sæderække i gulvet. Den LX Sport pakke tilføjet en tilpasset udseende med alufælge, organet sideskørter, forbedret baglygter, ABS-bremser, en luft-dæmningen under kofangeren, og en valgfri bagmonteret spoiler. Den ES model tilføjede lædersæder, bagtil air condition, el skydedøre, og et udvalg af moonroof eller tagmonteret DVD-afspiller. LX-SV modellen blev tilbudt. I modelår 2005 blev dobbelt zone klimaanlæg en valgfri funktion på LX (det havde været standard på LX i 2004). I modelår 2006 blev en base LX-SV model igen tilbydes sideløbende med LX og ES-modeller. MPV blev indstillet i både Europa og Nordamerika efter model år 2006. MPV blev også erstattet i Nordamerika og Australien, som i fuld størrelse Mazda CX-9 crossover SUV. Australske modeller kunne fås med 3 sæder i 2. række, og to pladser i 3. række i stedet for en sammenfoldelig tredje række.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Mazda MPV
The minivan boom of the 1980s caught the Japanese car makers by surprise. Each maker had its own response: Toyota was first with an adaptation of their mid-engined Van, based on the Japanese Town-Ace in 1984. Nissan and Mitsubishi quickly followed suit with conversions of cargo vans in 1987. All were small and only offered 4-cylinder engines. This was also the only Mazda MPV generation with a manual transmission. Unlike other minivans, the MPV's parking brake was directly on the floor beside the driver's seat and operated by the hand, when most other minivans had the parking brake in the driver footwell area and operated by the left foot.
The 1989 MPV was designed from the ground-up as a minivan for the American market. It was based on the large rear wheel drive 929's HC. It would be called the LV platform, and equipped the MPV with a V6 engine and optional four wheel drive. Its selectable 4WD system is not to be confused with permanent "all wheel drive" systems; the MPV can be switched into 4WD with a switch mounted on the column gear selector. A dash mounted switch also allowed the driver to lock the center differential, splitting power equally between the front and rear axles. The 4WD can be engaged and disengaged while moving.
Like the later Honda Odyssey, it featured traditional hinged doors instead of sliding rear doors, though the original MPV only had a single rear door. Because of the MPV's optional 4WD, the Mazda Navajo (sold from 1991-1994) version of the Ford Explorer was only offered as a 2 door. The middle row was available as a bench, allowing seating for 8 when most minivans seated 7.
The van was named to Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1990 and 1991 and featured as one of their "vehicles for the coming (fuel) crisis". Initial sales were strong as well, but rapidly fell off once other makers introduced all wheel drive and V6 engines. However, Toyota's 1991 Previa, Nissan's 1993 Quest, and Honda's 1995 Odyssey all featured purpose-built platforms and eroded Mazda's lead.
The MPV received one star out of four in the Australian ANCAP crash tests and a "Marginal" rating in the American IIHS crash tests for damage to the occupant compartment and tire intrusion into the driver footwell area.
The van was refreshed in 1996, adding drivers' side rear door. While the I4 engine retired for the United States market, it was replaced with a similar 2.5 L unit for the rest of the world. The '97 and '98 models received a mild refreshing with "all-sport" body cladding and wheel arches, and polished alloy wheels. Mazda discontinued the original MPV after the '99 model year.
Second generation 1999-2006 (Front wheel drive)
The MPV was replaced for 1999 using the short wheelbase, front wheel drive LW platform and featuring dual sliding rear doors, a third row seat that could fold and tumble into a floor recess, and dual sliding doors equipped with roll-down power windows.At introduction, the MPV used the same 170-hp DOHC Ford Duratec unit that powered the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique and Cougar.[2] DX models featured a two-place middle bench seat. The LX model featured two middle buckets with a feature whereby the passenger side seat could slide sideways (marketed as "side by slide"), power windows and locks, heated power mirrors, privacy glass, and antilock brakes. The ES model added leather seating surfaces, wood tone interior trim, side impact air bags on the front seats, bigger wheels, and dual zone front and rear air conditioners.
In model year 2001, all models added child-safety seat tether anchors. An optional GFX sport appearance package was made available for LX and ES models, which included fog lights and aero body add-ons. The 2001 model year ran long, extending into early 2002 in anticipation of the 2002 refresh.
In model year 2002, the MPV received Mazda's AJ 3.0 L V6, a 5-speed automatic transmission producing 200 hp (149 kW) and 200 lb·ft (270 N·m) of torque, a new grille featuring a single chrome bar at the top, power sliding side doors, revised suspension settings, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
In model year 2003, power operation of the side doors was made optional on the LX and ES. A base LX-SV model was added midway into the model year.
In model year 2004, the MPV received a mild exterior and interior makeover. The exterior featured new headlights and Altezza style clear taillights. Interior changes included a new steering wheel, gauge surrounds, and a spring assist to ease folding the third row seat into the floor. The LX Sport package added a customized look with alloy wheels, body side skirts, enhanced tail lights, anti-lock brakes, an air dam under the bumper, and an optional rear-mounted spoiler. The ES model added leather seats, rear air conditioner, power sliding doors, and a choice of moonroof or roof-mounted DVD player. No LX-SV model was offered.
In model year 2005, dual zone air conditioning became an optional feature on the LX (it had been standard on the LX in 2004).
In model year 2006, a base LX-SV model was again offered alongside the LX and ES models.
The MPV was discontinued in both Europe and North America after model year 2006. The MPV was also replaced in North America and Australia by the full-size Mazda CX-9 crossover SUV. Australian models were available with 3 seats in the 2nd row, and two seats in the 3rd row instead of a folding third row.
Third generation 2006- (FWD/4WD)
On February 2, 2006, the third generation Mazda MPV went on sale in Japan as a model year 2007 car.[3] It is powered by either a 4 cylinder MZR 2.3 naturally aspirated engine or 4 cylinder MZR 2.3 Direct Injection Spark Ignition (DISI) turbo engine. The 2nd row reclining seats feature an unusual retracting footrest feature. The gear shift was moved from the steering column to the center console, much like most other minivans by Japanese automakers today.
The third generation MPV is currently available only in Japan, Hong Kong[4] and some small number in Thailand. It is known as Mazda8 in Hong Kong.
In 2008, a facelifted version was introduced. External modifications include new front bumper with new fog-lights. 5-Speed Automatic is equipped in NA models. 6-Speed Automatics unchanged in Turbo models.
Mazda Bongo
1966
Mazda introduced its small van, the Bongo, in 1966. It featured a 782cc water-cooled 4-stroke engine driving the rear wheels. The rear engined Bongo was produced in two versions, the F800 and the F1000 between 1968 - 1978. This model retained the same body shape for its 10 year production life, the later models fitted with inertia-reel seat belts, and separate front parking indicator lights. The rear engine Bongos had a full chassis (using the same mazda 1000 engine as other variants mounted to a 4 speed transaxle at the rear) and were very strong and due to the low gearing, able to carry half a ton. Due to rust and poor maintenance, the rear engined Bongos are now few and far between. Exact numbers are not known, but a worldwide register[1] is currently being constructed to track all remaining examples.
The 1000 pickup and Bongo chassis are different, with common front suspension and brake components.
1989
The SS platform Bongo lasted from 1989 until 1998. This van was also sold by Nissan as the Vanette.
Ford Windstar
Unlike most Fords, the Windstar did not have a similar Mercury vehicle "twin", and was completely unrelated to the Mercury Villager (although the Windstar's successor the Ford Freestar did have a twin, the Mercury Monterey).
Though its size was between the smaller front-wheel drive Mercury Villager and the larger rear-wheel drive Ford Aerostar, for its first year, it was priced above both of them. By 1997, however, the Villager's base price had surpassed the Windstar's by several hundred dollars, and top-of-the-line Villager Nautica models went for some $6,000 USD more.
Among standard features were anti-lock brakes, dual airbags, seven-passenger seating, and a 3.8 L V6 engine, borrowed from the Taurus/Sable. This engine produced 155 hp (116 kW), but produced 220 lb·ft (298 N·m) of torque. For its inaugural year, the Windstar was available in base GL and high-end LX trim, as well as a cargo version called Cargo Van.