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The Mazda Xedos 6 and Eunos 500 are compact executive cars that were produced between 1992 and 1999, with the Xedos 6 being sold in Europe by Mazda, and the Eunos 500 being sold in Japan and Australia by Eunos. The cars were not sold in North America, with the larger Xedos 9/Millenia model offered there instead. In total, 72,101 Xedos 6 and Eunos 500 automobiles were produced.<ref name="xedos6.su">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
HistoryEdit
The Eunos 500 was initially presented at the 1991 Tokyo Motor Show, and was based on the Mazda CA platform,<ref name="xedos6com">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> also used by the Mazda Capella.<ref name="xedos6.su"/> The car entered full production in January 1992, with Japanese and Australian market models using the Eunos 500 name (as they were sold under the Eunos brand, and not the Mazda brand) and British models utilizing the Mazda Xedos 6 name.<ref name="xedos6.su"/> Left-hand drive versions of the Xedos 6, destined for mainland Europe, were first produced in 1993.<ref name="xedos6.su"/> The car's exterior styling was often praised by reviewers,<ref name="RAC">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="msncars">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> with Honest John stating that it "could have been the prototype for a new small Jaguar - with Mazda reliability,"<ref name="hjgood"/> however, the interior was also criticized for being too dull.<ref name="yahooxedos6">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> There were also plans to market the car under the Amati 300 name, but they did not come to fruition.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The Xedos 6 was available with two different engines: a 1.6-litre straight-four (available in Europe from the beginning of production, in the UK from 1993 onwards<ref name="RAC"/><ref name=EPC1>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>) and a 2-litre V6 (available everywhere from the car's launch) The 1.6-litre engine produced Template:Convert, and was criticized for being underpowered,<ref name="xedos6com"/><ref name="hjbad">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> whilst the 2-litre engine produced Template:Convert,<ref name="xedos6com"/> and was praised for its smooth, free-revving nature.<ref name="hjgood">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The V6 models were capable of up to Template:Convert with a manual transmission, and Template:Convert with an automatic transmission,<ref name="parkersperf">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and were claimed to be able to do 30-31 miles per gallon (imperial).<ref name="parkersrun">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In comparison, the 1.6-litre models had a top speed of Template:Convert with a manual transmission, or Template:Convert with an automatic.<ref name="xedos6com"/> The engines were updated in 1994 to meet the new Euro 1 emissions standards (reducing the power outputs by Template:Convert for the 1.6 and Template:Convert for the 2-litre,<ref name="xedos6com"/>) and again in 1996 to meet the new Euro 2 standards.<ref name="xedos6.su"/> The 1.6-litre versions, as well as the 2.0 Sport model, were withdrawn from production in 1998, a year before the remaining versions were withdrawn.<ref name="RAC"/>
The Eunos 500 used different engines to the European models. The 1.6-litre engine was not offered in Japan, with the base model instead being a 1.8-litre K8-ZE V6,<ref name="mazdav6guide">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> producing Template:Convert and having a top speed of Template:Convert.<ref name="aminfo1800v6">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The 2-litre V6 was offered in Japan, but in a higher state of tune; Japanese models produced Template:Convert from their KF-ZE engines,<ref name="mazdav6guide"/> and had a top speed of Template:Convert.<ref name="aminfo2000v6">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> For 1994, a 1.8-litre straight-four was introduced as the new base model, with a power output of Template:Convert,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> whilst the 1.8-litre V6 was discontinued.<ref name="cardb">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 1996, following Mazda's decision to axe the Eunos brand,<ref name="mazdatimeline">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> the Eunos 500 was rebranded as the Mazda Eunos 500, and remained in production under that name until 1999.<ref name="vinme500">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
MotorsportEdit
The Xedos 6 was used in the British Touring Car Championship in 1993 and 1994. Roger Dowson Engineering ran the works Mazda team in 1993 (under the Mazda Racing Team name,<ref name="btcc93points"/>) with the Xedos 6 replacing the 323F that had been used in the previous season.<ref name="dowsonobit">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Patrick Watts drove the Xedos 6 during the season, taking his first pole at Snetterton,<ref name="newsnet">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and three fourth-place finishes.<ref name="r4-1993btcc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="r10-1993btcc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="r11-1993btcc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He finished 15th in the championship, two points behind former champion Tim Harvey in the works Renault 19.<ref name="btcc93points">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Mazda were classified eighth, and last, in the manufacturer's championship.<ref name="btcc93points"/> For 1994, Roger Dowson Engineering and Team Dynamics ran the works Mazdas, with David Leslie and Matt Neal being entered in a two-car team,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> but the season would prove to be less successful. Neal was forced to withdraw from the series after suffering injuries from a big crash in the sixth round at Silverstone,<ref name="nealprof">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> whilst Leslie withdrew halfway through the season due to budgetary problems.<ref name="lesliejoinspsp">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Leslie's best finishes were a pair of eighth positions at the first two rounds,<ref name="r1-1994btcc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="r2-1994btcc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> whilst Neal's was a tenth at Snetterton.<ref name="r4-1994btcc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Neal finished 23rd in the championship, level with privateers James Thompson and Nigel Smith, whilst Leslie finished 20th.<ref name="btcc94points">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Mazda were classified tenth, and last, in the manufacturer's championship.<ref name="btcc94points"/> The Xedos 6's running gear was later used in a 323F built for the 1994 FIA Touring Car World Cup and driven by Neal.<ref name="mazdatintopsh">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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ReferencesEdit
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