Mazda Millenia

The Mazda Millenia (officially written as millenia<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>) is an automobile manufactured by Mazda in Japan from 1993 to 2002. The Millenia was originally planned as one of the first models for Mazda's proposed luxury brand Amati.

As it was targeted at a more upscale market from typical Mazda customers, the Millenia was engineered to far greater levels of perceived quality than the more mainstream Mazda cars, such as improved interior plastic quality, smaller panel gaps and a thicker, more even paint coating, thanks to a novel process of painting the body while it rotated on a massive spindle.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Mazda claimed this attention to detail was intended to set "standards for at least ten years".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

At the time of its release, it was the first and only production car in the world to employ a Miller cycle engine,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":3">Template:Cite news</ref> a design which Mazda would not use again until the second generation Mazda2 in 2008, and in modern Mazdas using the SKYACTIV engine.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":5" />

Plans for Amati

See also Amati Cars

The Millenia was originally intended to serve as the launch model in 1994 for Mazda's new luxury brand Amati under the name Amati 500.<ref name=":0" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In June of the same year, Amati produced a logo and announced plans for a $75 million marketing campaign with Los Angeles-based Lord, Dentsu & Partners planned to start at the end of 1993.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Mazda expected to sell 20,000 vehicles a year in 1994 and to double that by 1995.

The recession caused by the collapse of the Japanese asset price bubble led to the cancellation of Amati by October 1992,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and by November 1993 it was decided to sell the Millenia as a Mazda instead.<ref name=":3" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

"Millenia" is a misspelling of millennia, a multiple of one thousand years.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Branding post-Amati

As the company's finances dwindled due to the collapse of the bubble economy, Mazda scrapped the launch of the Amati brand. Instead, the car was rebadged and sold through Mazda's various sub-bands under different model names depending on the market.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> There was no equivalent version offered by Mazda's Ẽfini or Autozam.

Europe

Mazda of Europe sold the Millenia as the Mazda Xedos 9<ref name=":3" /> between 1993 and 2002. There was also a smaller, compact Mazda Xedos 6 offered at the same time.

Japan & Australia

In right-hand drive Japan and Australia, the Millenia was marketed as the Eunos 800 from 1993 through 1998,<ref name=":0" /> with the Miller Cycle-equipped version sold as the Eunos 800M. Yaw-sensitive four-wheel steering was available as an option in Japan; Mazda claimed that with this feature, the Millenia was capable of passing the elk test at speeds comparable to the BMW 850i and Nissan 300ZX.

Like in Europe, it was sold alongside the smaller Xedos 6, which itself was rebranded in these markets as the Eunos 500.

In July 1997, Mazda discontinued the Eunos brand and the Eunos 800 was renamed to Mazda Millenia.

Eunos 800M SP

Mazda Motorsport Australia released a limited edition Eunos 800M SP with improved suspension and larger alloy wheel and tire combination, but with no modifications to the engine.

North America

Launched in North America in 1994 (as a 1995 model year),<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":5">Template:Cite web</ref> the Mazda Millenia replaced the Mazda 929 as the brand's flagship sedan offering in North America.<ref name=":6">Template:Cite web</ref> While the 929 had been the last non-luxury rear-wheel drive Japanese import sedan in the US, the Millenia was front-wheel drive. Unlike the other markets, there was no equivalent version of the Mazda Xedos 6/Eunos 500 sold in the US or Canada.<ref name=":0" />

It was available in three models: the base model (called simply "Millenia"), the mid-level Millenia L (with standard leather upholstery, power moon roof and remote keyless entry), and the top-of-the-line Millenia S which featured optional heated front seats and came standard with the supercharged 2.3-liter V6 Miller cycle engine,<ref name=":7">Template:Cite web</ref> which produced 50% more power than the base engine but also 50% better fuel economy.<ref name=":8">Template:Cite AV media</ref> All Millenia models came standard with dual front airbags, anti-lock brakes, and traction control.<ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref>

Reception was generally positive, with reviewers praising the vehicle's combination of interior quality, engine performance, and overall value as superior to contemporary competitors like the BMW 3-series, Infiniti i30, Acura TL, Lexus ES300, and Mercedes C280.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=":10">Template:Cite web</ref> The Miller-Cycle engine specifically also received praise, earning a spot in Ward's 10 Best Engines every year from 1995 through 1998<ref name=":5" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

To capitalize on the cultural hype around the start of the new millennium, for model year 2000, Mazda added a new, limited-run "Millennium Edition" trim level positioned above the previously-top Millenia S.<ref name=":11">Template:Cite web</ref> Using the same 2.3L engine the Millenia S, the 3000-unit Mazda Millenia Millennium Edition cars came standard with faux suede upholstery, a Bose audio system with a six-CD changer, 17-inch alloy wheels and two special paint colors: Highlight Silver Mica and Millennium Red Mica paint.<ref name=":11" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

US Market Sales

<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref>	1994	1995	1996<ref>"Sales." Automotive News (1997): 45-68. ProQuest. Web. 28 Sep. 2024.</ref>	1997<ref>"Sales." Automotive News 71.5768 (1998): 45-68. ProQuest. Web. 28 Sep. 2024.</ref>	1998<ref>"Sales." Automotive News 73.5821 (1999): 33-54. ProQuest. Web. 28 Sep. 2024.</ref>	1999<ref>"Sales." Automotive News, suppl.Market Data Book 2000 74.5877 (2000): 33-54. ProQuest. Web. 28 Sep. 2024.</ref>	2000*<ref>"U.S. Car and Light-Truck Sales - 2000 Calendar Year." Automotive News, suppl.2001 Market Data Book 75.5930 (2001): 9. ProQuest. Web. 28 Sep. 2024.</ref>	2001<ref name=":2">"North America Sales History and Forecast." Automotive News, suppl.2002 Market Data Book 76.5986 (2002): 25-39. ProQuest. Web. 28 Sep. 2024.</ref>	2002<ref name=":9">"U.S. Car Sales - North America-Built and Imported - 2002 Calendar Year." Automotive News, suppl.2003 Market Data Book 77.6040 (2003): 27,28,30-32. ProQuest. Web. 28 Sep. 2024.</ref>	2003<ref>"Sales: U.S. Car Sales - North America-Built and Imported - 2003." Automotive News, suppl.2004 Market Data Book 78.6095 (2004): 27,28,30-32. ProQuest. Web. 28 Sep. 2024.</ref>	2004<ref name=":4">"U.S. Car and Light-Truck Sales - 2004." Automotive News, suppl.2005 Market Data Book 79.6149 (2005): 26-35. ProQuest. Web. 28 Sep. 2024. "U.S. Light-Vehicle Sales." Automotive News, suppl.2006 MARKET DATA BOOK 80.6204 (2006): 24. ProQuest. Web. 28 Sep. 2024.</ref>
January	0	1,429	998	1,126	1,114	1,113	unknown	1,301	1,904	509	7
February	400	1,450	960	1,173	1,000	1,203	unknown	1,665	1,771	450	1
March	1,874	1,794	1,036	1,214	1,031	1,333	unknown	1,286	1,925	304	7
April	2,708	1,494	1,055	1,346	1,031	1,399	unknown	1,455	1,583	192	0
May	3,236	1,503	1,153	1,930	1,085	1,605	unknown	1,892	1,707	139	1
June	3,114	2,467	828	2,086	1,428	1,487	unknown	3,761	1,368	86	0
July	2,338	1,658	856	1,761	3,686	1,563	unknown	1,643	1,432	64	2
August	2,882	1,504	1,219	2,018	3,941	1,536	unknown	1,407	1,680	29	0
September	2,593	1,512	1,138	1,414	600	2,160	unknown	1,392	1,407	13	0
October	1,860	2,992	1,147	1,684	656	2,746	unknown	1,594	1,149	13	0
November	1,698	2,262	1,375	1,172	568	1,659	unknown	1,242	1,223	3	0
December	1,720	1,496	1,254	1,096	577	1,394	unknown	1,211	917	10	0
Total Millenia Sales	24,423	21,561	13,019	18,020	16,717	19,198	16,558	19,849	18,066	1,812	18
All Mazda Sales	375,416	283,745	238,285	221,840	240,547	243,708	255,526	269,602	258,213	258,865	263,882

(* Note: Monthly sales data could not be found for calendar year 2000, however the total sales for that year can be found in a year-over-year sales comparison table in the Automotive News Market Data Book for calendar year 2001.<ref name=":2" />)

Facelift

The vehicle received a minor facelift in 1997 primarily focused on cost-saving measures, such as downgrading the hood from aluminum<ref name=":8" /> to steel. This first facelift also coincided with the dissolution of the Eunos brand.

The Millenia was more dramatically face lifted for the 2001 model year, with most modifications updating the front and rear bumpers and grille as well as reinforcements to the body structure and larger brakes.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Inside, the car added standard leather upholstery and a power lumbar support for the driver.<ref name=":10" />

• Mazda Xedos 9 (Europe)
  Mazda Xedos 9 (Europe)
• Eunos 800 2.5 (pre-facelift)
  Eunos 800 2.5 (pre-facelift)
• 1998-2000 Mazda Millenia (Japan)
  1998-2000 Mazda Millenia (Japan)
• 1998-2000 Mazda Millenia (Japan)
  1998-2000 Mazda Millenia (Japan)
• 1995-1998 Mazda Millenia base (US)
  1995-1998 Mazda Millenia base (US)
• 2001-2002 Mazda Millenia (US)
  2001-2002 Mazda Millenia (US)

Discontinuation

While production ceased in September 2002 with the final 35 units,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> in the United States there were still new Millenia sales reported as late as July 2004.<ref name=":4" />

The Millenia did not have a direct predecessor or replacement in the Mazda product line. The end of production coincided with the introduction of the Mazda6 in 2002, which also served as replacement for Mazda's other, contemporaneous mid-sized sedan, the Mazda 626.

Specifications and performance

Specifications	Millenia S<ref name=":7" /> (and Millennium Edition)	Millenia L (and Base) <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
MSRP (2002)<ref name=":9" />	$35,595	$31,995 (Millenia L)
Engine Type	2.3 Liter V6	2.5 Liter V6
Engine Size	2255 cc/2.3 L	2497 cc/2.5 L
Horsepower	Template:Convert @ 5300 rpm	Template:Convert @5600 RPM
Torque	Template:Convert @ 3500 rpm	Template:Convert @ 4000 RPM
Wheelbase/Width/Length	Template:Convert/Template:Convert/Template:Convert	Template:Convert/Template:Convert/Template:Convert
Transmission	Four-speed automatic	Four-speed automatic
Curb Weight	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
Fuel Type	Premium Unleaded	Premium Unleaded
Fuel Capacity	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
Tires	P215/50R17	P215/65R15 (Millenia L)
Brakes (F/R)	Disc (ABS)/Disc (ABS)	Disc (ABS)/Disc (ABS)
Drivetrain	Front-engine/front-wheel-drive	Front-engine/front-wheel-drive
Vehicle Type	Five-passenger/four-door	Five-passenger/four-door
Domestic Content	4%	unknown
Coefficient of Drag (Cd.)	0.29	0.29
Performance
EPA Economy, miles per gallon city/highway/average	Template:Convert/Template:Convert/Template:Convert	Template:Convert/Template:Convert/Template:Convert
0-60 mph	7.5 seconds	9.9 seconds
1/4 Mile (E.T.)	15.8 seconds @ Template:Convert	17.3 seconds
Top Speed (Est.)	Template:Convert	Template:Convert