- Refined 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine
- Comfortable ride
- High standard of fit and finish
- Overly sensitive throttle
- Light, overly-assisted steering lacks feel at low speeds
Overview
Released in April 1996, the Mazda HE 929 was a large, premium sedan. Manufactured in Hiroshima, Japan, the rear-wheel drive HE 929 was powered by a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine that was mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. As a result of low sales volumes, however, imports of the 929 ceased in November 1997.
Engine
The 3.0-litre JE-ZE V6 engine had a cast iron block, an alloy cylinder head, double overhead camshafts (per cylinder bank), four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 9.5:1. Furthermore, the four-speed automatic transmission provided selectable Hold, Power and Economy modes.
Dimensions and suspension
Compared to its HD 929 predecessor, the HE 929 was 25 mm shorter (at 4895 mm), 3 mm wider (1795 mm) and 25 mm taller (1420 mm), though wheelbase length was unchanged. Similarly, the HE 929 had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, multi-link rear suspension. In addition to its stronger body, the HE 929 provided greater interior and boot space.
Four-wheel steering (4WS)
For Australia, the 929 had four-wheel steering (Mazda’s ‘4WS’) whereby the rear wheels would turn at the same time as the front wheels. At low speeds (up to 35 km/h), the rear wheels would turn by up to five degrees in the opposite direction to the front wheels to reduce the turning radius. At higher speeds, however, the wheels would turn in the same direction to reduce yaw for greater stability. In the event of a fault with the 4WS system, the rear wheels would lock into the straight-ahead position so that the vehicle could be driven normally.
| Engine | Trans. | Years | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HE 929 | 3.0-lite petrol V6 | 4sp auto | 1996-97 | 138 kW at 6000 rpm | 270 Nm at 3500 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Mazda HE 929 consisted of dual front airbags and ABS.
Features
Standard features for the Mazda HE 929 included 15-inch alloy wheels with 205/65 R15 94H Dunlop SP Sport tyres, a sound system with a six-disc CD changer (boot-mounted), climate control air conditioning, leather upholstery, cruise control, power adjustable front seats, remote central locking, power windows and folding mirrors, a height adjustable steering wheel and an alarm.
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