Description of cars Mazda: 121, Bongo, BT-50

Mazda 121 ↓ • Mazda Bongo ↓ • Mazda BT-50 ↓

Mazda 121

Name Mazda 121 used for various Mazda Motor vehicles produced since 1975 By 2003 years under different names:

• 1975-1981 - the second generation of a sports car «Mazda Cosmo» with a 1.8-liter piston engine with a capacity of 100 hp. (he is «Mazda RX-5», but with rotary engine).
• 1988-1991 - the first generation of a subcompact car «Ford Festiva» with a body 3-door hatchback.
• 1991-1998 - subcompact four-door sedan «Autozam Revue», which was later renamed to «Mazda Revue». Engines of 1.1, 1.3 and 1.5 liters were installed on the car.
• 1996-2002 - the first generation of a subcompact car «Mazda Demio» (in the countries where it was delivered «Ford Fiesta» this car is not for sale). The body was in the form of a 5-door hatchback, the engines were 1.3 and 1.5 liters.
• 1996-2002 - Auto-rebadged version of the fourth generation of a subcompact car «Ford Fiesta», sold in some European markets. The body was in the form of a 3 or 5 door hatchback.

In 2001, the car was completely replaced by the Mazda2 model.

Mazda Cosmo CD 1975-1981

Ford Festiva WA 1988-1991

Autozam Revue 1991-1998

Mazda Demio DW 1996-2002

Ford Fiesta Mk4, 3-door

Ford Fiesta Mk4, 5-door

Mazda Bongo

Mazda Bongo is a light commercial vehicle with a van or pickup truck body, produced from 1966 year and present time Japanese automaker Mazda Motor. Also It has the following names − Mazda E-Series, Mazda Access, Mazda Marathon, Ford Econovan, Ford Freda, Ford Spectron, Nissan Vanette Van/Truck (Bongo III and IV generation) and Mitsubishi Delica (Bongo IV generation). The car was assembled in Japan (Hiroshima), Malaysia (Shah Alam), Taiwan (Taoyuan) and Zimbabwe. In total, the car survived four generations.

First generation (1966−1975)

In May 1966, Mazda introduced its small van with the name «Bongo». The four-cylinder four-stroke engine with the OHV gas distribution system was 0.8 liters (782 cm³), located at the rear with rear wheel drive. Since 1968, two versions of the car have been produced - F800 and F1000. The second had a more powerful 1.0 liter engine (987 cm³) 47 hp These engines were also installed on cars «Mazda Familia» first generation. There were electrically powered prototypes with a range of 60 km.

Production ended in 1975 due to Mazda's severe economic problems and new, stricter emissions regulations that came into effect from 1976. For 10 years of release, Bongo has retained its appearance.

The car turned out to be very high-torque due to the gearbox with a reduced gear ratio and could easily carry 1.5 tons. Due to the body's susceptibility to rust and poor maintenance, it's extremely unlikely to see a complete Bongo today.

Second generation (1977−1983)

In September 1977, Mazda resumed production «Bongo», introducing the second generation of this van. The engine in it was located in the middle of the car with rear-wheel drive. Depending on the size of the engine, its modifications were called «E1300», «E1400» And «E1600». Ford sold this car under the name «Econovan». In 1980, a modification appeared «E2200» with a 2.2 liter engine. The Korean company Kia also produced this van under the name «Kia Bongo» And «Kia Ceres». Kia produced this van until 1999 with minor improvements.

The range of engines has the following characteristics:

• 1.3 liters (1272 cm³, TC, 60 hp) from 1977 to 1979.
• 1.4 liters (1415 cm³, UC, 70 hp) from 1979 to 1980.
• 1.6 liters (1586 cm³, NA, 80 hp) from 1978 to 1982.
• 2.2 liters (2209 cm³, S2, diesel, 65 hp) from 1980 to 1983.

The original exterior design features round headlights and a grille, followed by a facelift in 1981 with rectangular headlights and a more traditional grille.

Third generation (1983−1999)

In 1983, the third generation of Bongo was released, which received updated engines and was also called «Mazda E-series». Ford sold this car under the names «Spectron» (passenger) or «Econovan» And «J80» (cargo). Since 1994, Nissan has also sold this car under the name «Vanette». In South Korea, the car was sold under the name «Kia Wide Bongo».


Gasoline engines had three modifications of the following characteristics - 1.4 liters (1415 cm³, UC), 1.8 liters (1789 cm³, F8) and 2.0 liters (2000 cm³, FE). There were two modifications of diesel engines with a volume of 2.0 liters (1998 cm³, RF-T) and 2.2 liters (2209 cm³, R2). The transmission was a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic.

There was also a model with an extended base called «Bongo Brawny». Ford sold it under the name «Econovan Maxi». In Korea, the car was called «Kia Wide Bongo» (truck) And «Kia Besta» (passenger).

Fourth generation (1999−2018)

In 1999, the fourth and final generation of the Bongo van and truck was released. In different countries, the car was called as «Mazda E-series», «Ford Econovan», «Mitsubishi Delica» And «Nissan Vanette». Gathered on the platform «SK», which is based on the previous generation platform «SS/SE». In 2018, Mazda stopped production of these vehicles, focusing on the production of light passenger vehicles. Two engines were available - petrol 1.8 litas (1798 cm³, 95 and 102 hp) and diesel 2.0 liters (1998 cm³, 86 hp).

From 1999 to 2010, an extended version of the car was produced called «Bongo Brawny».

Mazda Bongo 2004 back view

Mazda Bongo 2004 interior

Bongo Brawny 2006

Mazda BT-50

Mazda BT-50 - mid-size pickup truck, produced with 2006 year on present time Japanese automaker Mazda Motor. Not manufactured or sold in Japan. Came to replace pickups «B-Series». Until 2011, Ford also marketed the first generation version of the BT-50 as «Ford Ranger» and like an SUV «Ford Everest». The engine is located in front longitudinally, the drive is carried out on all wheels or only on the rear wheels. The body is 2-door and 4-door. In total, two generations of these pickups were produced.

First generation (J97M, 2006−2011)

In March 2006, the pickup truck was presented to the public at the Bangkok Motor Show. The body was produced in three versions - a single-row cab with two seats and two doors, a four-seater short cab with two doors and a four-seater long cab with four doors. The length of the body was 5170 mm, width 1804 mm and height 1762 mm. The curb weight was 1763-1878 kg. The car was assembled in Thailand, Colombia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Vietnam and China.

Engines installed only diesel «MZR-CD» 2.5 liters (2499 cm³, I4 Duratorq TDCi, 143 hp) and 3.0 liters (2953 cm³, I4 Duratorq TDCi, 156 hp). Transmissions 5-speed manual or automatic. Cars with petrol engines of 2.2 and 2.6 liters were delivered to the countries of Central and South America.

In the first quarter of 2008, the BT-50 received a slight restyling.

Second generation (UP, UR, 2011-present)

The second generation was shown at the Australian International Motor Show in October 2010. The car is based on a platform «Ford Ranger (T6)». Body shapes are the same as in the first generation, but the dimensions of the car have increased significantly. Length is 5359 mm, width 1849 mm, height 1741-1856 mm. The curb weight is 1708-2051 kg. In 2015, they carried out a minor cosmetic restyling.

Engines installed only diesel Duratorq «MZ-CD» 2.2 liters (2198 cm³, four-cylinder I4, 153 hp) and 3.2 liters (3198 cm³, five-cylinder I5, 185 hp). Transmissions 6-cylinder automatic or manual.

Mazda BT-50 2012 2-door

Mazda BT-50 2012 back view

Mazda BT-50 2012 interior