Mazda Familia

The , also marketed prominently as the Mazda 323, Mazda Protegé and Mazda Allegro, is a small family car that was manufactured by Mazda between 1963 and 2003. The Familia line was replaced by the Mazda3/Axela for 2004.

It was marketed as the Familia in Japan, which means "family" in Latin.

The first production Familia, styled by a young Giorgetto Giugiaro while working at Carrozzeria Bertone, appeared in October 1963. Private car versions received foglights in the grille as well as more chrome trim. The Familia was sold in other markets as the 800.

The Familia was introduced to the Japanese market in time for the 1964 Summer Olympics which began in October.

The cars used a 782 cc, "SA" four-stroke aluminum straight-four engine, also known as the "white engine". There was also a pickup version available from November 1964, while a box van (called a "panel van" by Mazda) was added in early or middle 1965.

MAZDA FAMILIA VAN.jpg|Familia 800 van (BSAVD)

1966 Mazda Familia SSA four-door sedan.jpg|Familia 800 4-door saloon (SSA)

Mazda Familia (15278522943).jpg|Mazda Familia 1000 DeLuxe 4-door saloon (1967)

Mazda Familia 1000 Van DX.jpg|Mazda Familia 1000 van (BPAV; 1967)

Mazda Familia 1000 Van DX rear.jpg|Familia 1000 van, rear view

MHV Mazda Familia 800 Pickup 1967 01.jpg|Mazda Familia 800 pickup (BSA55)

MHV Mazda Familia 800 Pickup 1967 02.jpg|Rear view of pickup

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A new Familia 1000 coupé arrived in November 1965, with a 985 cc SOHC "PC" engine, and was joined by the larger Mazda Luce in 1966. Around the same time, the 800 engine was upgraded, adding three horsepower. As a number of new 1-litre vehicles were introduced by Mazda's competitors, another 987 cc OHV engine (PB) appeared in January 1967, powering new 1000 saloon and van versions. The 1-litre saloons and vans are recognizable by their broader, rounded-off rectangular headlights. Production of the saloon continued until November 1967, while the van versions continued until they were replaced in February 1968.

Around 400,000 of the first Familias were built, 130,473 of which were saloons and coupés. Around 10,000 of the first generation Familias were exported, mainly to Australia and Oceania.

! Familia 800 saloon

! Familia 1000 saloon

! style="text-align: left;" | Brakes F/R

| colspan="3" | drums / drums

| colspan="2" | discs / drums

! style="text-align: left;" | Wheelbase

| colspan="2" |

! style="text-align: left;" | Length

| DX:

! style="text-align: left;" | Width

| colspan="5" |

! style="text-align: left;" | Height

! style="text-align: left;" | Empty weight

| Van: Wagon:

| DX:

| (deLuxe)

| DX:

! rowspan="2" style="text-align: left;" | Engine

| colspan="2" | SA

| colspan="2" | PB

| PC

| colspan="4" | Water-cooled OHV inline-4, two valves per cylinder

| SOHC inline-4

! style="text-align: left;" | Displacement

| colspan="2" | 782 cc (58.0 x 74.0 mm)

| colspan="2" | 987 cc (68.0 x 68.0 mm)

| 985 cc (70.0 x 64.0 mm)

! style="text-align: left;" | Compression

| colspan="2" | 8.5:1 (1966–67: 9.0:1)

Kia Master 1000/1200/1300 (pickup, South Korea)

| production = 1967–1973 (up until 1977 for wagon/van and late 1990s for the pickup) 1974–1981 (South Korea)

| assembly = Japan: Hiroshima (Mazda factory) South Korea: Hwasung (Kia Motors) South Africa: Durban (Illings Mazda (Pty) Ltd)

| body_style =

| layout = Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive

| engine =

| transmission =

| wheelbase = (pickup)

| length = (wagon/van) (coupé/saloon) (pickup)

| width =

| height = (coupé) (saloon) (wagon/van)

| weight =

FA2; 1967

The new Familia appeared in November 1967 with the same pushrod 987 cc engine as used in the previous generation saloons. It was sold as the "Mazda 1000" in some markets. In July 1968 the rotary-engined version (R100) was introduced, along with a new coupé bodywork which was also available with the 1200 cc piston engine. After an April 1970 facelift (called the "Familia Presto" in the domestic Japanese market), the slightly different OHC "PC" 1-litre engine was also offered. A larger 1169 cc straight-four engined version came along in February 1968, becoming the "Mazda 1200" for export. In this form, the car was first exhibited in Europe at the 1968 Paris Motor Show in the autumn of that year. Power outputs (SAE gross) in Japan of the facelifted, overhead-cam-engined versions were respectively. The Van (wagon) model was available with either three or five doors, although most export markets only received the five-door version.

File:Finland Mazda 1200 with old 1960s license plate.jpg|1967–1970 Mazda 1200 4-door saloon (Europe)

File:1971 Mazda 1200 Wagon (cropped).jpg|1967–1970 Mazda 1200 3-door wagon (Australia)

File:Mazda Familia Pickup 002.JPG|Mazda Familia 1300 pickup long bed

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Familia Presto series 1 (FA3; 1970)

From April 1970, the Presto nameplate was added into the entire Familia range, "Presto" means "quick" in Italian. Brand new overhead camshaft 1.3-litre TC engine also appeared, derived from the smaller 1.0-litre OHC engine already seen in the first generation Familia coupé. At the same time, the range received a light facelift including a chrome strip around the front grille. Unlike the pickup, the vans also used the "Familia Presto" name. Chassis codes are SPCV for the 1.0-litre and STBV for the 1.3-litre model, with power outputs as for the saloon/coupé. Standard and Deluxe versions were available, with the Deluxe also offering five-door bodywork.

The Familia was exported as the "Mazda 1300", and replaced the previous generation 1200 model in most markets. In Finland, the Familia Presto was marketed as the "Mazda Marella." The saloon and coupé were updated in 1972 in Japan and in the autumn of 1973 for export market, but the pickup and wagon/van versions continued with little change. The vans and pickups actually soldiered on until 1978, by which time a wagon version of the succeeding FA4 Familia (323/GLC) had been introduced. The later pickup versions were also available in a long-wheelbase version, and still featured an (SAE gross) version of the 1.3-litre TC engine, unaffected by the tighter Japanese emissions standards for passenger cars. and again for the 1973 model year. US-market models had round sealed-beam headlamps mounted in pill-shaped bezels fitting the original openings. The 1971 version was the first piston-powered Familia sold in the United States and arrived in two- and four-door forms alongside its rotary Mazda R100 coupé counterpart. It was replaced by the somewhat larger 808 (Grand Familia) the next year. The 1200 model returned for 1973 as the base-model economy Mazda. The company then focused on performance for the next two years, dropping the economy car. After the gas crisis they returned to the economy sector with the Mizer in 1976, a rebadged 808/818.

Engine (US):

1971, 1973 – 1.2 L (1169 cc) I4, /

File:1970 Mazda 1300 (9133853023).jpg|1970–1972 Mazda 1300 4-door saloon (Europe)

File:Mazda 1300 Coupe (9847673783) (cropped).jpg|1970–1972 Mazda 1300 coupé (Australia)

File:Mazda 1000 Pickup in Crete (front).jpg|Post-1970 Mazda 1000 pickup (Europe)

File:1973-1974 Mazda 1300.jpg|1972–1973 Mazda 1300 4-door saloon (Europe)

File:1973-1974 Mazda 1300 sedan rear.jpg|Rear view of late model Mazda 1300 saloon (Europe)

File:Mazda 1300 Wagon 1977 (45957240722).jpg|1973–1978 Mazda 1300 5-door wagon

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The pickup models were built until 1991 for markets such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, and the Philippines.

In South Africa, the little bakkie was sold as the "Mazda F-1000" or "F-1300". In Thailand, a version of the pickup was produced in small numbers until the late 1990s as the Familia Super Cab and Maxi Cab.

Engines (export power outputs, DIN):

1968–1973 – 1.0 L (985 cc) PB I4, /
1968–1970 – 1.2 L (1169 cc) TB I4, /
1970–1973 – 1.3 L (1272 cc) TC I4, 2-barrel, /

The pickup received the BPB55, BTA55/65, or FA2T55/65/66 model codes respectively when fitted with the OHV 1.0 or 1.2, or the OHC 1.3. The 1000 Van (Japanese terminology for the station wagon, which was intended for commercial use there) received either BPCV or BPBV chassis codes, signifying three- or five-door versions. The Familia Presto Van, with OHC engines, received chassis numbers MP3xV/SP3xV for the 1000 (3-door/5-door) and MT2xV/ST2xV for the 1200. The five-door Van range was gradually expanded downwards as the three-door models dropped in popularity. The Familia Presto Van continued largely unchanged until the summer of 1978, aside from the 1.3 losing two horsepower along the way.

Mazda pickup in Ratchaburi Thailand 01.jpg|1990 Mazda Familia Standard Cab 1300 pickup (Thailand)

Mazda pickup in Ubon Thailand.jpg|1992 Mazda Familia Super Cab 1400 pickup (Thailand)

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Familia Rotary/R100

In July 1968 Mazda added a Familia Rotary model to the range, offered in both two-door coupé and four-door saloon variants. After an April 1970 update (known colloquially in Australia as the Series 2) it was known as the "Familia Presto Rotary" in Japan as the Presto nameplate was added into the entire Familia range. Power was rated at just due to a small carburetor (thus the "R100" name). The rotary engined R100 has a unique front end design, with a more prominent pointed bonnet, grille, and bumper. The rear also gained its own design with twin round tail lights, which became for a time a signature design element for the rotary engined versions of Mazda's cars. Inside, the cars were more sumptuously appointed with plusher seats and chrome plated accents, full sized interior door trim panels, a floor mounted handbrake lever, and a unique cockpit styled dashboard with full instrumentation. Mazda referred to this dashboard as the "T-Dash", and fitted it to top spec piston engined variants of the Familia on the Japanese market as well as the rotary models.

In Japan, the installation of a rotary engine gave Japanese buyers a financial advantage when it came time to pay the annual road tax in that they bought a car that was more powerful than a traditional inline engine, but without having the penalty for having an engine in the higher 1.0-litre tax bracket. This was the only generation of the Familia that had the rotary engine offered. When Mazda updated the rotary engine to single distributor design in late 1973 with a raft of improvements to improve reliability and fuel economy, the smaller 10A engine was discontinued. Upgrading the Familia Rotary to the 12A engine would have cost the car its tax advantage in Japan, and the decision to discontinue it was made, despite the Familia body continuing production for some years to follow.

The R100 was one of the first Mazda cars imported into the United States for the new Mazda Motors of America, sold in model years 1971 and 1972. Due to US regulations it was released in North America with round headlights fitted in place of the rectangular lights fitted in all other markets. It was a surprising hit with the American public, though sales were limited to some Northwestern states initially.

Following on the success of the Cosmo Sports at Nürburgring in 1968, Mazda decided to race another rotary car. The Familia Rotary coupé won its first outing, at the Grand Prix of Singapore, in April 1969. Next, the company took on the touring car endurance challenge at Spa, the Spa 24 Hours. For 1969, Mazda entered a pair of Familia Rotary coupés. The cars came fifth and sixth the first year after a quartet of Porsche 911s. The Familia also placed fifth at the Marathon de la Route at Nürburgring in 1969, the same race that the Cosmo had bowed at the previous year. Finally, Mazda took the Familia home for the Suzuka All-Japan Grand Cup, where it won easily. For 1970, the Familia placed eighth at the RAC Tourist Trophy in June, followed by a fourth place at the West German Touring Car race in July. At Spa, four Familias were present, battling with BMW Alpinas, and Alfa Romeos for the podium. This time, three of the Mazdas retired, with the fourth claiming the fifth position. Mazda also turned its attention to Le Mans in 1970 with rotary-powered prototypes. The company finally won that race 21 years later with the 787B.

Mazda Familia Rotary Coupe.jpg|Mazda Familia Rotary (R100) coupé (Japan)

Mazda Familia Rotary Coupe rear.jpg|Rear view

1972 Mazda Familia Presto Rotary TSS RE10.jpg|Mazda Familia Presto Rotary 4-door saloon (Japan)

1972 Mazda Familia Presto Rotary TSS RE10 rear.jpg|Rear view

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Kia Brisa

From October 1974 until 1981, Kia Motors manufactured a pickup variant of the second generation Familia as the "Kia Brisa" at their first integrated automobile manufacturing facility, the Sohari Plant in Gwangmyeong, South Korea. Production originally commenced in 1973 in the form of the Brisa B-1000 pickup pickup, but passenger car production (originally as the "Brisa S-1000") only commenced later. Brisa comes from the Spanish/Portuguese word for "breeze". The Brisa was equipped with a 1.0-litre Mazda engine, a bigger 1.3-litre engine was later added to the line up. The model appeared prominently in the 2017 South Korean film A Taxi Driver, which told the true story of a German reporter and a South Korean taxi driver who became caught up in Chun's harsh response to the Gwangju Uprising in 1980.

The original version of the Brisa received a slightly different front end from the original Familia, featuring twin headlights. Later, single headlights were used. In total, 31,017 Brisa passenger cars were built. Including the pickups increases the totals to 75,987, The Brisa (along with the pickup model, typically called "Master" in export) was also exported to Colombia and Greece.

1976 Kia Brisa S1000 기아 브리사.jpg|Kia Brisa S-1000 (pre-facelift)

20141005 Kia Brisa 01.jpg|Kia Brisa S-1000 (facelift)

20141005 Kia Brisa 02.jpg|rear view (facelift)

20150920 Kia Brisa Pick Up 1.jpg|Kia Master pickup

20150920 Kia Brisa Pick Up 2.jpg|rear view

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Mazda Grand Familia/Savanna/808/818/RX-3

left|thumb|Mazda 818 saloon

In September 1971, Mazda introduced the "Mazda Grand Familia" and the Mazda Savanna to better compete with the Toyota Corolla, and the Nissan Sunny in North America. The Grand Familia/Savanna was intended to replace the smaller Familia. But with the advent of the 1970s energy crisis, the Familia began to experience an increase in sales due to better fuel economy, so the Familia remained in Japan and Europe, and Mazda decided to offer the Grand Familia and Savanna as larger, performance enhanced alternatives. It is better known by its export market names Mazda 808, 818, and RX-3. The Grand Familia was also built by Kia with the 1272 cc engine from October 1975,

Third generation (FA3 series 2; 1973)

The Familia AP (323 in most of the world, GLC for "Great Little Car" in North America) debuted in January 1977 as a rear-wheel-drive subcompact, replacing both the Grand Familia (818) and the preceding Familia (1000/1300). There was a choice of hatchbacks and station wagon bodies, both available with a three- or five-door bodystyle. The station wagon version was a bit later, first being introduced in June 1978, which also meant that the commercial versions based on the 1970 Familia could finally be retired. Three Mazda engines were available, the 985 cc PC, 1,272 cc TC, and the 1415 cc UC (introduced in March 1978). The 1.0-litre unit was only made for export markets. The new Familia shared many parts with the older Mazda Grand Familia. This was the first appearance of the 323 name, for export markets only.

The Familia AP was marketed to a new kind of youthful Japanese consumer, and sold very well at home as well as abroad. Nonetheless, the cars traditional rear-wheel-drive underpinnings limited interior space and betrayed themselves in having a very narrow track when compared to the body. The FA4 was somewhat of an interim solution while Mazda worked on a front-wheel-drive car, but still managed to sell around 890,000 examples in its three full years of production.

In June 1979, the 323/Familia underwent a facelift, replacing the previous round headlights with rectangular units which were designed as a single unit along with the grille. The new style was in line with that of the recently released Mazda Capella/626 (CB). Other minor differences occurred along with the facelift.

The range was replaced in 1980, however, the station wagon models continued in production until 1986.

The FA4-series Familia/323 was available in several body variants:

Five-door four-seat hatchback
Three-door four-seat hatchback
Five-door four-seat station wagon (also as a van in Japan)
Three-door four-seat station wagon
Three-door two-seat van with an extended roof profile

File:MHV Mazda 323 02.jpg|1977–1979 Mazda 323 5-door hatchback (Europe)

File:1978-1981 Mazda 323 (FA4UV) Deluxe 1.4 station wagon (20423106080) (cropped).jpg|1978–1981 Mazda 323 5-door station wagon (Australia)

File:1979-1980 Mazda 323 (FA4TS) 1.4 hatchback 04.jpg|1979–1980 Mazda 323 1.4 5-door (FA4US, Australia)

File:1979-1980 Mazda 323 (FA4TS) 1.4 hatchback 06.jpg|Rear view

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Several of these were available in multiple trim levels.

Engines:

1.0 L PC, / – export only
1.3 L TC (1977.01–1980) / in Japan
1.4 L UC (1978.03–1980) in Japan

Van engines:

1.3 L TC (1978.06–1986) (1979), (later years), (export models)
1.4 L UC (1978.06–1986) (1979),

A five-speed manual gearbox was introduced later as an alternative to the original four-speed manual gearbox. At the same time the original round sealed beam headlights were replaced with square sealed beam units on all models except the van, together with a general styling and mechanical upgrade. A three-speed automatic gearbox was also available on the bigger engined models, it was first introduced (on the 1400) at the end of June 1978.

When the next generation front-wheel-drive Familia/323/GLC models were released in 1980, the wagon and van models continued unchanged, due to Mazda not developing wagon models for the newer range. A facelift however was given to the wagons in 1981, which gave the models the front clip (albeit with different bumpers) of the front-wheel-drive models. Production of the wagons continued to 1986, when a new front-wheel-drive model was introduced. Originally available with the 1.3- TC and 1.4-litre UC engines, in export markets the larger unit was replaced with the new 1.5-litre E5 engine for the 1983 model year. The station wagon continued to be offered until the 1986 model year.

For the 1979 model year, the original 1272 cc four was replaced with a 1415 cc engine producing . Well-equipped versions of the 1978 facelift model were sold as the "323 GLC" in South Africa. A 1600-cc model was also available in South Africa – however this model did not have a Mazda engine, unlike the rest of the range. To satisfy that country's local content regulations, a locally built Mitsubishi Saturn 1.6-litre unit was used. This produces and was the most powerful engine to be installed in the FA-series Familia/323. It arrived in early 1979, but period testers felt that the less-revvy 1.6 provided very little that the 1.4 did not offer, and could not be considered to be worth the price. Fuel consumption dropped, while top speed of was only marginally higher than the of the smaller version. Sigma also fielded a rotary-engined 323 in the South African national rally championship.

;Indonesia

In Indonesia the third-generation Familia was marketed by Indomobil Group twice, the first time as the 323 hatchback from 1977 to 1980, and the second time around as the low-cost alternative of the popular Toyota Kijang and fellow Indomobil Group product's Suzuki Carry Extra/Futura; low-price "Mazda MR90" (hatchback) between December 1990 to 1993, "Mazda Baby Boomers" (hatchback) between 1993 and 1995, and as the "Mazda Vantrend" (station wagon and special limited order as high roof van or pickup) and Sri Lanka. There was also a better equipped GLX version available. Sold alongside the seventh generation 323, an MR90 cost less than half the price of the newer model, but still more expensive than Toyota Kijang and Suzuki Carry "minibuses" as the country imposed 30% tax for saloons. While retaining the original 1.4-litre engine, 5-speed manual gearbox, suspension and dashboard (later models has 964 dashboard replica), the body was made from fiberglass by using the 964 production tools from VW Group. was entirely new – it was Mazda's first front-engine, front-wheel-drive subcompact car, and was available as a hatchback and saloon. It was developed with input from Ford, which in 1979 had acquired a stake in the Japanese manufacturer, and had a twin called the Ford Laser (and Ford Meteor, for its four-door saloon model in Australia).

At its introduction in 1980, it won the first Car of the Year Japan Award.

The new Mazda E engine-series, loosely based on the preceding PC/TC/UC series, was developed expressly for the BD and was offered in three different displacements. The smallest 1.1-litre E1 unit was reserved for certain export markets where the tax structures suited it. Chassis codes were BD1011/BD1031/BD1051 depending on the engine installed.

Engines:

E1, 1 barrel, /
E3, 2 barrel, /
E5, 2 barrel, /
E5S, 2x2 barrel, /

The most powerful version was marketed as the "323 GT" in European markets. The Familia/323 underwent a facelift in January 1983.

For the Japanese market other top end models were offered, originally the three-door Familia XGI with a 1,500 cc single cam, multi-point fuel-injected engine. In June 1983 the turbocharged XGI Turbo was added, Mazda's first turbocharged piston engine. It had a particularly small turbocharger, for better low-end response. Period commentators complimented its linear and smooth power delivery. The XG Turbo also received a suitably updated chassis and wheels to handle the . The Familia saloon and their twin, the Ford Laser S, was also offered with the same specifications but in limited numbers. Claimed outputs in the Japanese market were considerably higher than in export countries, due to the differing JIS standard rather than DIN. Period sources suggest subtracting ten percent from the JIS numbers. The 1.4 was replaced from 1983 with the newly developed 1490 cc E5 engine. The TC 1.3 produces while the larger versions offer .

Export markets

The front-wheel-drive 323 was introduced in Europe in September 1980, nearly simultaneously to its cousin and competitor the Ford Escort. The four-door saloon version followed in January 1981, and one month later automatic-equipped models became available to European buyers.

left|thumb|1981–1982 Mazda GLC (North American version of Familia/323)

thumb|left|1983–1985 Mazda GLC 4-door saloon

GLC (1981–1985)

The equivalent American Mazda GLC (Great Little Car) appeared in the 1981 model year, although the rear-wheel drive wagon also continued to be offered. It was only offered with a single engine – the twin-barrel 1.5-litre with —and lasted through 1985, after which it was replaced by the next-generation Mazda 323. With this, the GLC nameplate was retired. The BD was the only front-wheel drive Mazda vehicle using the GLC name. Originally it was offered with three- or five-door bodywork, in standard, Custom, Custom L, or Sport equipment levels. The five-door only came as a Custom and was sold only in Hawaii and Puerto Rico. – an early iteration of a design philosophy taken to its extreme with the 1988 Persona and the 1990 Eunos Cosmo. Unlike the sporting 323s in other markets, the Sport only received special hubcaps, rather than alloy wheels. For 1982, the Sport was made to live up to its name a little bit more, with the installation of a front anti-roll bar and cast aluminum wheels. The five-door GLC gained a fully carpeted trunk for 1982. In January 1987 a personal coupé version with its own bodywork, the Étude, was added. In February 1987 the Familia range underwent a light facelift that included replacing the old E engines with the more modern B series. In some markets, such as Indonesia, the E engine continued to be installed after the facelift.

This generation of the Familia/323 was also available in a version with a turbocharged DOHC engine, with either front- or four-wheel drive, producing . The 4WD version (sold in either a lightweight GT or fully optioned GT-X grade) introduced in October 1985, saw some success in rally's Group A category. A limited production Japanese-only homologation special, the 4WD GT-Ae, appeared May 1988 and offered an additional ten horsepower and viscous rear limited slip differential (similar to the later BG Familia). Full time four-wheel drive was also available in more pedestrian versions like the 1.5 hatchback.

There was also a 1.7-litre diesel version available with at 4300 rpm and at 2800 rpm. Introduced in July 1985, it is a naturally aspirated, indirect injection engine.

As with the earlier 323 Wagon/Familia Van, the wagon (BW) skipped the succeeding generational change and continued to be available alongside the next generation in most markets. It was later updated with a new grille and continued to be available until 1994/95. When the saloons and hatchbacks received new engines in late 1987, the vans continued to use the old E-series units for a little longer.

A factory-built convertible body was introduced in March 1986 in both Mazda 323 and Ford Laser (323 panels from firewall back) versions, initially running the 1.5-litre turbocharged E5T engine but later switching to the 1.6-litre DOHC B6D.

Engines (Japanese domestic market):

1985–1987 – E3, 2 barrel, 8-valve, Gross /
1987–1989 – B3, 2 barrel, 8-valve, Net /
1985–1987 – E5, 2 barrel carburettor, 8-valve, Gross / Gross – Net rating /
1985–1987 – E5T, turbo EGi, 8-valve, Gross / In 1988, Mazda added a turbocharged option in the GT and GTX model as well as four-wheel drive in the GTX model. The GTX was the first four-wheel drive passenger car Mazda offered in the United States. The GT and GTX featured a turbocharged and intercooled 1.6 liter 16-valve DOHC 4-cylinder engine rated at and only was available with a 5-speed manual transmission.

;South Africa

The model remained in production in South Africa, as an entry-level model until 2003. It was also sold there as the "Midge", the "Sting", and as the "Ford Tonic". A locally designed pickup based on the Familia front end, called the Rustler was also produced, and sold as the "Ford Bantam". From 1991 to 1994 Samcor also produced and sold the 323 with the 2.0 L 16-valve DOHC FE engine from the Mazda 626 and badged it "200i". Along with the 2.0 L 16-valve DOHC engine there were upgrades to the suspension and braking system. Still, the 1.6-litre GT-Ae homologation car was more powerful.

This South African built model was also sold in Australia between 1989 and 1991 with minor changes, the most noticeable one being the front indicators having a clear color rather than the normal amber. These models were labeled BF as opposed to the next generation's BG.

Sao Penza

The South African-made model was exported to the United Kingdom between 1991 and 1993 as the "Sao Penza" and fitted with a 1.3-litre fuel-injected engine. The importer was Automotive Holdings, a subsidiary of Mazda Cars Ltd, the official Mazda UK importer. It was a rebadged version of the Mazda 323, imported from South Africa, where the 1985 model was still assembled by Samcor (now Ford Motor Company of South Africa), although it had ceased to be imported to the UK in 1989. Both four-door saloon and five-door hatchback versions were available, with fairly basic specifications.

It went on sale in the United Kingdom in June 1991, with around 1,200 vehicles expected to be sold within six months. Marketed as "Japanese technology you can afford", it was sold at just over £7,500 – around £2,000 cheaper than the equivalent version of the new Mazda 323. Its prices, which were reduced in early 1992, were not low enough to attract strong sales and it was withdrawn from sale in 1993. Just over 1,000 were sold and by 2019, DVLA records showed that there was just one example remaining in use (a blue 1.3L 5-door)

The car uses the Mazda B3 four-cylinder engine. Maximum power is at 5500 rpm, providing a top speed of .

Seventh generation (BG; 1989)

The seventh generation Familia (BG) included three-door hatchback, five-door liftback, and four-door saloon variants, none of which share any body panels. The new five-door liftback version was called the Familia Astina in Japan and was sold as the 323F or 323 Astina elsewhere. The BF wagon (originally introduced in 1985) was carried over in facelifted form, although Ford marketed a wagon on the new platform as part of the North American Escort line.

The BG Familia was available with front- or all-wheel drive and 1.3–1.8 L petrol engines or a 1.7 L diesel engine. Later, a turbocharged engine was added, especially developed for homologation purposes for the World Rally Championship (WRC), Group A category. The all-wheel drive models (including the turbocharged GT-X) were introduced in August 1989. In Japan, the 1.6 L SOHC was only available coupled to all-wheel drive. With a carburettor, it offered , the same as the lower-spec 1.5 L SOHC, but with a somewhat larger torque curve. In Europe, only the 1.8 L SOHC (in naturally aspirated, form or either of the turbocharged variants) was offered with four-wheel-drive.

Trim lines in Japan included "Clair", "Pepper", "Interplay", "Supreme", "GT", "GT-X" and "GT-R". The Supreme model was only available in saloon form and features the larger bumpers and bootlid-mounted number plate recess of the American market Protegé. Carburetted models were mostly dropped in the 1991 facelift, replaced by single-point fuel injection.

In North America, the 323 saloon became the Protegé, while the 323 hatchback kept its name. There, and in the Philippines, base (SE/DX), 4WD and top-line LX models were available. The 1990 base model has the SE name and uses the B8 1.8 L SOHC engine that has 16 valves and hydraulic lifters. In 1991, the base model name was changed to "DX". 4WD models existed for the 1990 and 1991 model years, with the SOHC engine and rear disc brakes. The LX version of the Protegé included a 1.8 L DOHC 16-valve BP engine producing . LX models also have power windows and door locks and 14-inch wheels. Vented front and solid rear disc brakes, larger front brakes, larger clutch, equal-length driveshafts, dual outlet muffler, body-color door handles and mirrors, fold-down rear center armrest, driver's vanity mirror, and larger stabilizer bars. A sunroof and 14-inch aluminum alloy wheels were options on LX models.

The Protegé nameplate was also applied for 323 saloon in Brazil, which was really similar to the Canadian market specification. However, only a fuel injected 1.8 L SOHC engine was offered there.

BG models that were assembled in New Zealand came with glass headlights instead of plastic, and a 240 km/h speedometer.

In Thailand, the 323 saloon was initially offered in a single unnamed trim with a carbureted 1.6 L SOHC engine as the sole option. The facelifted model was divided into two levels: the 1.3i and 1.6i LX, and the better-equipped 1.6i GLX. All engines featured fuel injection, and the latter came with a 4-speed automatic transmission as an option.

Production of the BG Familia mostly ended on 24 May 1994, although the 1.3 L hatchback was kept in production until October 1996 as there was originally no 1.3 L option in the following generation. In Australia and South America, the BG saloon continued to be sold until 1996 as a more affordable alternative to the newer BH model.

The Indonesian market 323 was assembled locally starting in 1989 and was available only as a saloon. It was sold in a single trim called Interplay, powered by a carbureted 1.6 L SOHC engine mated to a 5-speed manual or a rare 4-speed automatic transmission. Unique to this market, the 323 came standard with a digital speedometer from the Eunos 100, a feature that was optional in Japan. Around late 1994, a special edition called Interplay Executive was introduced featuring the facelifted bumpers and bigger 14-inch steel wheels with hubcaps, but it also loses the digital speedometer. Also a few months later in this year when the newer BH model was introduced, BG model production was extended until 1997, primarily for the taxi fleet market. This fleet version had its premium features removed and an optional 1.3 L engine. In 2000, the Mazda 1.3–1.6 L B-series engines were replaced by a fuel injected 1.3 L DOHC 8A-FE engine sourced from FAW Toyota. Production ended in 2004 when it was replaced by the BJ Familia-based Haima Family, which had been introduced a year earlier.

Familia Infini

The Japan only special model Familia Infini was introduced in February 1990 to celebrate Mazda's 70th anniversary. Based on the GT saloon, the 1.6 L DOHC B6-ZE engine was swapped to a bigger 1.8 L DOHC BP-ZE engine from the Protegé LX and international market 323 GT (it later became the standard engine for Familia GT in 1991), and teamed with a close ratio LSD 5-speed manual transmission. The Infini was upgraded with a viscous limited-slip differential, stiffer suspension package, and bonnet/headlight from the 323 hatchbacks (in 1991, these were adopted on all Familia saloon models). The Infini came only in dark green color with unique Infini aerodynamic grille, rear spoiler with third stop lamp, "lightweight" carpet, without sound deadener, and with Infini (∞) logos on horn button, front grille, wheel caps, and bootlid. There were also unique factory front clear indicators, a Momo Cobra II steering wheel, BBS 15-inch rims, faux suede interior with GT-X style seat trim, leather gearknob and shift boot, front and rear strut braces, 22-mm sway bars front and rear, rear tie bar, a quick-ratio steering and a 7,250 rpm redline tachometer, as well as four-wheel disc brakes. Around 1,000 Infinis were produced, and preceded Mazda's ɛ̃fini Japanese dealership network.

Familia GT-X, GT-A, GT-R, GT-Ae

For Group A rallying, Mazda made two main homologation models. The JDM GT-X model was released in 1990 and featured four-wheel drive, viscous limited-slip differentials and a turbocharged 1.8 L BPT engine which produced . Mazda also Produced 300 GT-A variants to celebrate the launch of the BG Familia GT-X and its rally debut. These were stripped of most luxuries and delivered with Mazdaspeed Torsen rear differential, short ratio gearbox, roll cage, harnesses, grill mounted fog lights. A graphics pack was also available. In Europe, the engine of the GT-X model was detuned to produce .

The GT-R model was released in 1992, produced for around 5,000 units. The GT-R featuring a number of enhancements over the GT-X model: an aggressive front bumper, grill and bonnet vents, updated rear bumper, wheel flares, stiffer suspension and anti-roll bars with thicker cross members, and homologated five-stud wheel hubs with larger brakes. The interior was fitted with leather and faux suede seats, and had the option of replacing the cupholder with a 3-gauge cluster. In addition, the GT-R has stronger connecting rods and pistons, larger oil squirters, larger nose crank, larger oil cooler, sodium filled valves, a baffled inlet manifold, larger injectors, removed boost cut, front-mounted intercooler, and an IHI VJ-23 ball bearing water-cooled turbocharger. Power was increased to . Just like the GT-X, the engine power of the European market GT-R was also lowered to produce .

As per the first GT-X, 300 units special version of GT-R were produced known as GT-Ae.

In the UK the 323F was launched with 1.6 L 16-valve in either LX, GLX or GLXi trim or as 1.8i 16v GT. In Indonesia it is called Astina GT and RX3 (a special model featured aero kits), it came standard with a 1.8 L DOHC BP engine and a digital speedometer from the JDM Eunos 100.

The 323 Astina GLX was sold in South America as well, specifically in Colombia, Chile and Argentina, with 1.6 L SOHC engine, in carbureted version.

;Engines:

1989–1991 – B3, 1 barrel, 8-valve, /
1991–1994 – B3, EGI-S, 8-valve, /
1989–1991 – B5-M, carburetor, 16-valve, /
1990–1994 – B5-MI, EGI-S, 16-valve /
1989–1991 – B5-DE, EFi, 16-valve DOHC, /
1991–1994 – B5-DE, EFi, 16-valve DOHC, / (lower power for AT cars)
1989–1991 – B6, 1 barrel, 8-valve, /
1989–1994 – B6, carburetor, 16-valve, SOHC, /
1989–1994 – BP, FI, 16-valve DOHC, /
1989–1994 – BPT, FI, 16-valve DOHC, turbo, / (Familia GT-X)
1991–1994 – B8, FI, 16-valve SOHC,
1992–1993 – BPD, FI, 16-valve DOHC, turbo, / (Familia GT-R & GT-Ae)
1989–1994 – PN, Diesel, 8-valve, / (European specs)

Eighth generation (BH/BA; 1994)

The eighth generation was released for the Japanese domestic market in June 1994 with front-wheel drive. A new model appeared in the same month, when a lean-burn version called the GS-L arrived: its Z5-DEL engine produces , These models have a prominent bonnet scoop. At about the same time a all-wheel-drive model was introduced in Japan, either with a 1.6-litre petrol or the Isuzu turbo-diesel. The 4WD cars can be easily identified by having been equipped with the federalized front (but not rear) bumper, including side marker lights. The same car went on sale in Australia in the second half of 1994 with a fully featured BP-ZE engine. The Protegé became classified as a "compact car" for the 1995 model year in North America.

A version with Mazdaspeed accessories was released in Japan and Philippines. It came equipped with Mazdaspeed wrap around bodykit, Mazdaspeed rear spoiler, Momo steering wheel, 15-inch Rota Astral wheels wrapped in 195/55R15 Bridgestone Potenza RE01 tires, Mazdaspeed strut tower bar, Eibach springs, gas-charged shock absorbers, swaybars and Mazdaspeed exhaust made by Yumex.

The Familia/Protegé/323 was facelifted in October 1996,

;Models

Four-door saloon (called the Protegé in North America, 323S in Europe, 323 Protegé in Australia, 323 Lantis/Familia in Indonesia, Allegro in Colombia, Artis in Chile and Étude in South Africa)
Three-door coupé hatchback (Familia Neo in Japan, 323C in Europe and 323 in Canada)
Three-door hatchback (called the 323P in Europe)

File:Mazda 323 rear 20071009.jpg|1994–1996 Mazda 323S saloon (Europe)

File:1995-1996 Mazda Protege LX.jpg|1995–1996 Mazda Protegé saloon (US)

File:Mazda Familia Sedan 1994.JPG|1995–1996 Mazda Familia saloon AWD (Japan) with North American market front bumper

File:Mazda 323 Sedan (46929388731).jpg|1994–1996 Mazda 323S saloon (Europe) with 1.7-litre turbo-diesel engine

File:1996-1998 Mazda Familia Hatchback.jpg|1996–1997 Mazda Familia hatchback (Japan)

File:1997–1998 Mazda Protegé sedan rear 12.10.17.jpg|1996–1997 Mazda Protegé saloon (US)

File:1998 Mazda Protege LX.jpg|1997–1998 Mazda Protegé sedan (US) with 1997 Mazda's logo

File:1998 Mazda 323 (BA Series 3) Protegé Shades 1.8 sedan (2015-07-15) 02.jpg|1997–1998 Mazda 323 Protegé saloon (Australia) with brighter rear garnish and 1997 Mazda's logo

File:Mazda 323 front 20080222.jpg|1997–1998 Mazda 323P hatchback (Europe) with 1997 Mazda's logo

File:1997 Mazda 323 LXi 1.3 Rear.jpg|Mazda 323P hatchback (UK)

</gallery>

Familia Neo/323C/323 Neo

The Familia Neo started production for the Japanese domestic market in 1994 (axed in 1996), and was also sold as the 323C in Europe and the 323 in Canada. Ford released a rebadged version which was mechanically the same although different bumpers, headlights and bonnet were fitted, badged as the Ford Laser Lynx in Japan and Australia, and the Ford Aztec in Taiwan. This model was only available as the Ford Laser Lynx in the Australian market, as Mazda already had the 323 Astina Hatch filling the gap for a hatchback in the Mazda range. To contradict this, Mazda Australia also offered two 323 saloons, the Astina/Lantis hardtop and the 323 Protegé until production of both models ceased in 1998.

It featured a rear hatch with a divided glass, much like the Honda CR-X. Aesthetically the Familia Neo was very close in looks to a Mazda Lantis/323F and equated to a three-door version and also shared the Lantis suspension. The top specced Familia Neo was fitted with a DOHC 1839 cc BP-ZE engine which produced around (depending on the market), and this was the same engine fitted to the base model Mazda Lantis. It was also sold for a single year (1995) in Canada as 323 GS. In Europe it was named Mazda 323C (for coupé), available for sale until September 1998 and it was equipped with 1.3 L SOHC, 1.5 L DOHC 16V, and 1.8 L DOHC 16V engine.

File:1994 Mazda Familia-Neo 01.jpg|Mazda Familia Neo coupé (Japan)

File:Mazda 323 front 20071025.jpg|Mazda 323C coupé (Europe)

File:Mazda 323 rear 20071025.jpg|Mazda 323C coupé (Europe)

File:1995 Mazda 323 LS Sport Package in Sparkle Green, front right.jpg|Mazda 323 (Canada)

File:1995 Mazda 323 LS Sport Package in Sparkle Green, rear right.jpg|Mazda 323 (Canada)

</gallery>

;Engines

Petrol:

1.3 L (1,323 cc) B3-ME, I4 16-valve SOHC, FI, / (1994–2000)
1.5 L (1,489 cc) Z5-DE, I4 16-valve DOHC, FI, / (1994–2000)
1.5 L (1,489 cc) Z5-DEL, I4 16-valve DOHC, FI, lean burn, / (1996–1998)
1.5 L (1,498 cc) B5-ZE, I4 16-valve DOHC, FI, / (1994–1996)
1.6 L (1,597 cc) B6D, I4 16-valve DOHC, FI, / (1996–1998)
1.8 L (1,839 cc) BP-ZE, I4 16-valve DOHC, FI, / (1995–2000)

Diesel:

1.7 L (1,686 cc) 4EE1-T, I4 8-valve SOHC, turbo-diesel, / (1995–1998)
2.0 L (1,998 cc) RF, I4 8-valve SOHC, / (1996–1999)

Lantis/Astina/323F

thumb|left|Mazda Lantis 5-door hatchback (Japan)

A five-door hatchback and four-door saloon, both featuring pillarless doors and distinct sheetmetal from other 323s, was sold in Japan as the Mazda Lantis, in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa as the Mazda 323 Astina, in Colombia as the Mazda Allegro and in Europe as the Mazda 323F.

They were built on platforms distinct from the other 323s and actually appeared nearly a year before the new Familia, in September 1993.

Thailand: Rayong (AAT)
Taiwan: Taoyuan City (Ford Lio Ho)
United Kingdom: Dagenham (Ford Dagenham, hatchback only)
Vietnam: Hai Duong
Zimbabwe: Willowvale (WMMI)

| designer = Tsutomu Toyoda (1996)

| body_style =

| layout = Front-engine, front-wheel-drive

| platform = Mazda BJ platform

| related = Haima 3

| engine =

| transmission =

| wheelbase =

| length = 1999–2000 Protegé: 2001–03 Protegé: Protegé5: 2001–03: 1999–2000: 2001–03 Saloon, 2004–2011 Haima Happin: 1999–2000 Saloon: Mazdaspeed & MP3: Haima Family 2006–2010:

| width = (Int'l) (Japan, 2007–2012 Haima Happin, 2010 Haima Family)

| height = Saloon: Hatchback: Mazdaspeed & MP3: (Haima Happin 2012)

The ninth generation BJ Familia was introduced on 9 June 1998 and released on 29 September 1998 as a 1999 model. Body styles included a four-door saloon and a five-door S-Wagon (sold as the Protegé5 in the United States and Canada, 323F in Europe, and as the Astina NU in some Asian countries). In Japan there was also a traditional five-door light van (station wagon for commercial use) sold under the Familia nameplate, but this car was simply a rebadged Nissan. A 4EC automatic transmission and two five-speed manual transmissions were available. All-wheel drive is optional.

The Japanese Mazda Familia had all-wheel drive as an option. In North America, the ES's engine was still 1.8 liters, but for the eighth generation it was a smaller version of the 626's engine (the FP) rather than the sportier engine shared with the Miata which had been used previously. The rear disc brakes of the ES were downgraded to drums.

Mazda 323s were used as police cars by some police departments such as the Singapore Police Force as Fast Response Cars (FRCs) until they were retired in 2016.

The Familia Van and Familia Business Wagon were introduced for 2000, and continued to be supplied by Nissan under an OEM deal, based on the Nissan AD.

Facelift

thumb|left|2001–2003 Mazda Protegé LX saloon (US)

In 2001, the entire line was facelifted with new styling, a revised suspension, and a new audio system. For North America, ES models received rear disc brakes and a stiffer suspension. The 1.8 L engine was increased to 2.0 L for the ES models, and was optional on the LX model, becoming the 2.0LX. The standard 2001 Protegé LX engine was the carryover 1.6 L ZM-DE.

A 2.0-litre, petrol engine appeared in 2001 on the Japanese market Sport 20. In 1999, Ford of Japan ceased to market Mazda-based models, and the Ford Laser, along with the Ixion, Telstar, and Festiva, was discontinued.

Mazdaspeed Editions

Mazdaspeed Familia

thumb|left|Mazdaspeed Familia

In May 2001, Mazda introduced the special edition, the Mazdaspeed Familia. It was only offered on saloon model. Powered by a tuned FS-DE which was upgraded to and a 5-speed manual transmission. It comes equipped with exclusive features such as a large aero bumper, side air dam skirts, and a three-stay rear wing, and gold painted 17-inch Racing Hart wheels.

The suspension is also unique to the Mazdaspeed Familia. The damper damping force characteristics have been revised to match the spring rate, and the ride height has been lowered by 14mm at the front and 13mm at the rear. Initially it was planned that 100 units would be produced, but due to the flood of orders Mazda added an additional 100 units. All 200 units were finished in Starry Blue Mica. It is equipped with a 1.6 L petrol engine mated with a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic gearbox. Another version called the Haima Happin went on sale from 2008 to 2012 model years with a facelift for 2011 and 2012 models. The Happin was equipped with a 1.3 L, 1.5  L, and 1.6  L engine options and a five-speed manual gearbox.

;Engines (includes all models from 1998 to 2003)

1.3 L B3-ME SOHC I4
1.5 L ZL-DE DOHC I4
1.5 L ZL-VE S-VT I4
1.6 L ZM-DE DOHC I4
1.8 L FP-DE DOHC I4
2.0 L FS, /
2.0 L FS-ZE (2001 Sport 20)
2.0 L RF Diesel

Gallery

File:1998-2001 Mazda 323 (BJ) Protegé sedan 02.jpg|Pre-facelift Mazda 323 Protegé saloon, 1998–2001

File:1998-2001 Mazda 323 (BJ) Protegé sedan (2011-11-18).jpg|Pre-facelift Mazda 323 Protegé saloon, 1998–2001

File:2002-2003 Mazda 323 (BJ Series 2) Protegé SP20 sedan 01.jpg|Facelift Mazda 323 Protegé SP20 saloon, 2002–2003

File:2002-2003 Mazda 323 (BJ Series 2) Protegé SP20 sedan 02.jpg|Facelift Mazda 323 Protegé SP20 saloon, 2002–2003

File:2000 Mazda 323F 1.5 Front.jpg|Pre-facelift Mazda 323F hatchback, 1999–2001

File:2000 Mazda 323F 1.5 Rear.jpg|Pre-facelift Mazda 323F hatchback, 1999–2001

File:2003 Mazda 323F GXi facelift 1.6 Front.jpg|Facelift Mazda 323F hatchback, 2002–2003

File:2003 Mazda 323F GXi facelift 1.6 Rear.jpg|Facelift Mazda 323F hatchback, 2002–2003

File:Haima Family 01 China 2014-04-28.jpg|Haima Family front (China)

File:Haima Family 02 China 2014-04-28.jpg|Haima Family rear (China)

File:Haima Happin facelift 01 China 2014-04-28.jpg|Haima Happin front (China)

File:Haima Happin facelift 02 China 2014-04-28.jpg|Haima Happin rear (China)

</gallery>

FA2; 1967

Familia Presto series 1 (FA3; 1970)

Familia Rotary/R100

Kia Brisa

Mazda Grand Familia/Savanna/808/818/RX-3

Third generation (FA3 series 2; 1973)

Export markets

GLC (1981–1985)

Sao Penza

Seventh generation (BG; 1989)

Familia Infini

Familia GT-X, GT-A, GT-R, GT-Ae

Eighth generation (BH/BA; 1994)

Familia Neo/323C/323 Neo

Lantis/Astina/323F

Facelift

Mazdaspeed Editions

Mazdaspeed Familia

Gallery

References

External links