View source for Mazda Persona

{{confuse|Proton Persona}}
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Mazda Persona
| image = Mazda Persona.jpg
| manufacturer = [[Mazda]]
| aka = [[Eunos (automobile)|Eunos]] 300
| production = 1988–1992
| assembly = Japan: [[Hiroshima]] ([[Hiroshima (Mazda factory)|Hiroshima Assembly]])
| class = [[Mid-size car|Mid-size]]
| body_style = 4-door [[hardtop]] [[sedan (automobile)|sedan]]
| layout = [[Front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout|Front-engine, front-wheel-drive]]
| platform = [[Mazda M platform#MA|Mazda MA platform]]
| related =
| engine = {{ubl | 1789&nbsp;cc ''[[Mazda F engine#F8|F8]]'' 12v [[inline-four engine|I4]] (MA8P) | 1789&nbsp;cc ''[[Mazda F engine#F8-DOHC|F8-DE]]'' 16v [[DOHC]] I4 (MA8P facelift)  | 1998&nbsp;cc ''[[Mazda F engine#FE|FE]]'' 16v DOHC I4 (MAEP) | 1998&nbsp;cc ''[[Mazda F engine#FE|FE-ZE]]'' 16v DOHC I4 (MAEP, Eunos) }}
| transmission = {{ubl | 5-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]] | 4-speed [[Automatic transmission|automatic]] }}
| wheelbase = {{convert|2575|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|4550|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|1695|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|1335|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|1220|-|1280|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}}
| successor = {{ubl | [[ɛ̃fini MS-8]] (Persona) | [[Eunos 500]] (Eunos 300) }}
}}

The '''Mazda Persona''' is a mid-sized, [[front-wheel drive]], four-door [[hardtop]] [[sedan (automobile)|sedan]] produced by [[Mazda]] in Japan from November 1988 to December 1991, and sold both within its main range and under its upscale [[Eunos (automobile)|Eunos]] brand, as the '''Eunos 300'''. It is a rebodied [[Mazda Capella|Capella/626]] with more luxurious equipment.<ref name=Gazoo1>{{cite web | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20050112141742/http://gazoo.com/meishakan/meisha/shousai.asp?R_ID=3205 | archivedate = 2005-01-12 | url = http://gazoo.com:80/meishakan/meisha/shousai.asp?R_ID=3205 | title = 1989年 マツダ ペルソナ 2000タイプB | trans-title = 1989 Mazda Persona 2000 Type B | work = GAZOO: History of the car selection | language = ja | date = 2001 | publisher = Toyota Motor Co. | access-date = 2020-03-30 | url-status = dead }}</ref> The Persona was Mazda's answer to the [[Toyota Carina ED]], [[Nissan Presea]], and [[Mitsubishi Emeraude]] — Japanese sedans that attempted to capture the pillarless [[hardtop]] look and proportion of large American sedans. Transposed onto a smaller Japanese sedan, this proportion often led to a small, low cabin in context of longer front and rear ends. It was replaced by the [[ɛ̃fini MS-8]] in March 1992, after Persona stocks had run out. The car was only offered new in the domestic Japanese market.

The 1.8-liter engine option had a single [[Overhead camshaft|camshaft]] and three valves per cylinder, producing {{convert|97|PS|kW|0|abbr=on}}, while the two-litre option had twin camshafts and four valves per cylinder, with a max output of {{convert|140|PS|kW|0|abbr=on}}. Both engines could also be found in the [[Mazda Capella|Capella/626]] range and other [[Mazda M platform#MA|MA platform]] cars, although the two-litre was tuned for more torque in this application, and both were fuel injected.<ref name="QR0189">{{cite magazine | magazine = Quattroruote | title = Ora fumare è un optional | trans-title = Now smoking is extra | language = Italian | date = January 1989 | volume = 34 | issue = 399 | publisher = Editoriale Domus | location = Milan, Italy | editor-first = Raffaele | editor-last = Mastrostefano | page = 126 }}</ref>

[[File:Eunos 300 20150114.JPG|thumb|left|Eunos 300]]

In February 1990 a limited edition "Persona Couture" arrived, only available in Silver Stone Metallic paint. It was fully equipped, with air condition and ABS brakes over the Type B, and only available with the larger engine in combination with the automatic transmission. It sold for ten percent more than a 2000 Type B.<ref>{{cite web | work = Goo-Net | title = ペルソナ クチュール（1990年2月） のカタログ情報 | url = https://www.goo-net.com/catalog/MAZDA/PERSONA/2502543/ | language = ja | trans-title = Persona Couture (February 1990): Catalog Information | id = 2502543 | publisher = Proto Corporation }}</ref> The Persona underwent a minor change in March 1990, with new body colors and more equipment, such as a power seat and optional [[ABS brakes]].<ref name=Catvol37>{{citation | ref = JAMA37 | title = 自動車ガイドブック | trans-title = Japanese Motor Vehicles Guide Book 1990~'91 | language = Japanese | volume = 37 | date = 1990-10-25 | publisher = [[Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association]] | location = Japan | page = 150 | id = 0053-900037-3400 }}</ref> The 12-valve 1.8 was replaced by a twin-cam 16-valve unit which had already been seen in the Eunos 300, producing {{convert|115|PS|kW|0|abbr=on}}. Unlike the case of the Eunos, however, the 2-liter FE DOHC engine remained unchanged.<ref name=Catvol37/> Production came to a halt in December 1991, although the car remained on sale for another three months.

Mazda placed much emphasis on the Persona's interior, marketing the car under the tagline {{nihongo|"Interiorism"|インテリアイズム|Interiaizumu}}. It featured lounge-style door trims that appears completely integrated into the rear seats when the doors are closed, while the front seat belts were mounted in the rear doors to be as discreet as possible. It won a prize for "Best Car Interior" in 1988. Other unusual details were the absence of ashtrays as well as a cigarette lighter - they were available as a cost option.<ref name="QR0189"/> A pull-out drawer located underneath the passenger seat replaced a traditional glove compartment. There were two equipment levels, Type A and Type B. Both were well equipped, but the Type B added extras such as leather interior.

==Eunos 300==
When Mazda launched the [[Eunos (automobile)|Eunos]] dealership channel in Japan for 1990, launched on 1 November 1989, the Persona became available with [[:ja:マツダ・ユーノス300|Eunos 300]] badging.<ref name=J37147>''[[#JAMA37|Automobile Guide Book 1990~'91]]'', p. 147</ref> Unlike the Persona, the ostensibly sportier Eunos version came with an ashtray and a lighter, as well as a different grille with a "V"-pattern rather than the fine mesh of the Persona. It received the more powerful upgraded 1.8-liter engine from the beginning, a few months earlier than the Persona did. The 2-liter option was the more powerful [[Mazda FE-DOHC engine|FE-ZE DOHC engine]], producing {{convert|150|PS|kW|0|abbr=on}} with a manual transmission and {{convert|145|PS|kW|0|abbr=on}} with the automatic.<ref name=J37147/> To further its sporting pretensions it also came equipped with a front [[strut bar]] and a [[lower tie bar]] at the rear.<ref name=Gazoo2>{{cite web | archiveurl = https://archive.today/20130426044845/http://gazoo.com/meishakan/meisha/shousai.asp?R_ID=8394#selection-613.1-613.426 | archivedate = 2013-04-26 | url = http://gazoo.com/meishakan/meisha/shousai.asp?R_ID=8394 | title = 1990年 ユーノス 300 2000DOHCタイプB | trans-title = 1990 Eunos 300 2000 DOHC Type B | work = GAZOO: History of the car selection | language = ja | date = 2001 | publisher = Toyota Motor Co. }}</ref> Along with the Eunos Roadster ([[Mazda MX-5 Miata]]). the Eunos 100 ([[Mazda Familia Astina]]), and the 1990 Eunos Cosmo, these formed the initial Eunos brand lineup. The Eunos 300 was a stop-gap solution until the January 1992 launch of the [[Eunos 500]], also known as the [[Mazda Xedos 6]]. It underwent no changes during its two-year production run, aside from the addition of the limited production Type X which received [[BBS Kraftfahrzeugtechnik|BBS]] cross-spoke alloy wheels.<ref name=Gazoo2/>

== References ==
* [http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=105204&Mazda Specifications]
{{Reflist}}

{{Mazda road car timeline 1990s–present}}
{{Mazda vehicles}}

[[Category:Mazda vehicles|Persona]]
[[Category:Luxury vehicles]]