.jpg) Millenia
is part of an unfulfilled dream. A decade ago, Mazda saw Lexus
and Infiniti succeeded in entering prestige car market, so it
established two new brands, Xedos and Eunos, for Europe and Asia
respectively, to market the prestige line of cars. Two prestige
cars were developed, Eunos 500 (Xedos 6) and Eunos 800 (Xedos
9), intended to rival BMW 3-series and 5-series respectively.
The American operation Amati was to be set up before the company
went into financial trouble. Mazda woke up from the dream.
The Eunos 800 (Xedos
9) is still surviving today, but no one cares about its brand
name any more. In Japan and North America, it is simply branded
as Mazda Millenia.
The Millenia is built
on a unique platform with all multi-link suspensions. Despite of
its age, it still rides smoothly and quietly, but handling is
well behind the competition leading by BMW 5-series and Lexus
GS300. Steering is too light and lack of road feel. Admittedly,
even back to its launch in 1994, it was not regarded as a
driver’s car.
Against rivals,
Millenia’s cabin space is rather tight. Sense of prestige is
ruined by the plasticky dashboard, although interior and
exterior styling are pleasant.
The range-topping
Millenia is powered by a Miller Cycle V6 displaces 2.3 litres
and equipped with a supercharger with intercooler. It is good
for 210 hp and 210 lbft, deliver in a smooth and refined manner
for a supercharged engine. The Miller Cycle is said to reduce
fuel consumption by 15% compare with equally powerful
conventional engines, i.e., 3-litre normally aspirated V6.
However, in reality it was found that the Millenia is no more
frugal.
The Miller Cycle
engine provides strong performance - 60 mph can be reached from
rest in 8 seconds. In contrast, the entry-level normally
aspirated 170 hp 2.5-litre V6 was not so good. Its origin can be
traced back to the last MX-6 coupe and is sharing with the
current American 626. Not only lack of power to cope with the
heavy body, it is not all that smooth.
That said, the
Millenia is overwhelmed by the countless of modern executive
sedans. Although it resisted ageing well, it can hardly resist
the strong competition. Sales number had never taken off even
though massive price cut was made. If it were successful, the
Amati division would not have been dead before birth. What about
Eunos and Xedos ? obviously, after the death of Millenia, which
could appear in 1 or 2 years’ time, the premium brands of Mazda
will disappear silently. Then, Mazda will concentrate on a new
dream, RX-EVOLV sports sedan. I’m sure that dream won’t become a
nightmare.
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