1988 Mazda MX-6

The Mazda MX-6 Coupe was introduced in 1987 and was based on the Mazda GD platform and powered by the inline-four Mazda F engines backed by a Mazda G4A-EL four-speed electronic-shift automatic transmission. For the United States, the F2 2.2-liter engine produced 110 horsepower in naturally aspirated and 145 horsepower when fitted with a turbocharger. The Japanese and European markets were powered by either the F8 1.8 L, FE 2.0 L, or FE-DOHC 2.0 L DOHC engines.

The Mazda MX-6 rested on a steel unibody platform with a 99-inch wheelbase, a length of 177 inches, and a width of 66.5 inches. The front suspension used MacPherson struts with coil springs and electronically-adjustable shocks. In the back were MacPherson struts with trailing arms, an anti-roll bar, electronically adjustable shocks, and trapezoidal links. Disc brakes were in the front, and drums were at the rear.

In the United States, the trim levels included the DX, LX, LE, and GT. The base trim level was the 'DX' and came with the 110 bhp 2.2-liter engine and air conditioning, one of the few options. The LX came with more options including power locks, power mirrors, and power windows. The LX could be optioned with an electric moonroof. The LE (Leather Edition) was fitted with all the features of the LX plus leather seating surfaces and a leather-wrapped shift knob on cars with the manual transmission. The GT had all the features of the LX and the turbocharged 2.2-liter (F2T), intercooled engine. This engine had 145 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque. TO cope with the increase in power, disc brakes were placed at all four corners and ABS was optional. The suspension was upgraded with a three-way electronically adjustable (AAS) system.

Although the first generation of the MX-6 was produced through 1992, the second generation arrived in 1991. It rested on the GE platform which it shared with the Mazda 626, Ford Telsar, and Ford Probe. The U.S. version was known as the A-Spec, the European version was the E-Spec, and the Japanese version was the J-Spec.

The wheelbase grew by over 3 inches compared to its 1st Gen sibling, now measuring 102.8-inches. Its length was now 177.5-inches and its width measured 68.9-inches. The base model (the RS) was equipped with the FS-DE 2.0-liter dual overhead camshaft (DOHC) inline-4 offering 118 horsepower. The luxury trim level, known as the LS, used the KL-DE 2.5-liter DOHC V6 with 164 horsepower. Additional features included a low rear spoiler and alloy wheels. The LS could be purchased with foglights, CD player, and a leather or cloth interior for an additional fee. The final trim level was the LS M-edition which was based on the LS plus added chrome scuff plates, all-red taillights, gold alloy wheels using the same design as the LS, all gold badges, M-edition embroidered on the front seats and floor mats, and an in-dash three-disc CD stacker. The M-Editions were offered in only three colors including black, white, and a trim exclusive burgundy. The interiors were all done in cream with special gold pinstriping.

Production of the MX-6 came to a close in 1997.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2022