The Mazda Sentia is a large rear wheel drive luxury car sold in Japan in the 1990s. It replaced the Mazda Luce nameplate on the Mazda H platform cars for Japan in 1991 and was retired in 1999 after two generations. The name "sentia" is derived from the Latin word "sentir", meaning to sense, feel or hear.
When the Sentia was cancelled by Mazda, it continued in production in South Korea as the Kia Enterprise.
| Mazda Sentia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mazda |
| Also called | Amati 1000 Amati 1200 Ẽfini MS-9 Mazda Luce Mazda 929 Serenia Mazda 929 Kia Enterprise |
| Production | 1991–1999 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size luxury car |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | HD, HE |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Mazda Luce |
1991[edit]
The Sentia has been developed with the future Mazda flagship, the Amati 1000 in mind. Anticipating that the Amati would take over the role of formal-use vehicles (i.e. chauffeur-driven transport for executives) in the product line, the first Sentia is considerably geared towards private owners in its focus. This is very evident in its Jaguar-inspired stance, relatively low roofline, as well as using more of its dimensions for styling as opposed to improving interior space.
The Sentia was marketed by Mazda as having a "front midship" layout: the V6 engine sits behind the front axle, while the fuel tank rests above the rear axle. This iteration of the Sentia also debuted Mazda's speed-sensitive four-wheel steering system. At speeds of lower than 35 km/h (22 mph), the rear wheels steer in an opposite (toe out) direction from the front wheels, in order to reduce the turn radius. At higher speeds they steer in the toe in direction to improve stability.
Solar ventilation system is a setup where amorphous solar cells in the sunroof panel powers small ventilation fans located in the trunk area, in order to cool the cabin while the car's parked in the sun. This setup would later be found on the Eunos800/Millenia.
There are two engines available. Both have their roots in prior Mazda V6s, and have no relation to the aluminum KL series found in the 626-platformed Mazdas. The 3-liter JE-ZE receives a new variable intake manifold to boost its power rating to 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp). The 2.5-liter J5-DE is also available, rated at 160 PS (118 kW; 158 hp).
929[edit]
It was also sold in South Korea as the badge engineered Kia Enterprise, using Mazda-sourced engines.
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The HD generation of the 929 appeared in 1990, with the smaller four-cylinder engines dropped in favour of V6 engines only. It was sold as the Ẽfini MS-9 under Mazda's ill-fated diversification plan. There was no longer a Luce rotary version, and the Cosmo got a new platform as well. A new model, the Sentia, appeared on the same platform. In Canada, the car was known as the 929 Serenia.
The Mazda 929 was available with ABS, full electrics, cruise, 4WS, 4WD (in some markets), as well as a 'solar vent' that vents the heat from the car.
The Sentia continued for one more generation, but importation of the 929 to North Americastopped in 1995 with the front-wheel drive Mazda Millenia remaining at the top of the company's lineup. The 929 was withdrawn from North America due to a lack of interest in non-luxury brand Japanese imports of this size, evidenced by the withdrawal of the Toyota Cressida in 1992. For North America, it was the last remaining mainstream rear-wheel drivesedan with a V6 engine, though smoother straight-six designs continued in European cars until the Chrysler 300 was unveiled in 2005.
During the early 1990s Mazda had considered introducing its own luxury brand, Amati, to compete with Lexus, Infiniti and Acura but later withdrew their plans. The 929 was replaced by the Mazda Millenia as the flagship sedan, but the Millenia is front-wheel drive. 929 Serenia sales ended in Canada after the 1994 model year, and the United States followed suit in the 1995 model year.
Engines:
- 2.5 L J5 V6
- 3.0 L (2,954 cc) JE V6, SOHC, 160 hp (118 kW)/180 lb·ft (245 N·m)
- 3.0 L (2,954 cc) JE26 V6, DOHC, 205 hp (151 kW)/200 lb·ft (272 N·m)
1995[edit]
 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Also called | Mazda Sentia |
| Production | 1996–1997 |
| Designer | Dori Regev |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Platform | Mazda HE platform |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.0 L JE-ZE V6 |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 112.2 in (2,850 mm) |
| Length | 193.7 in (4,920 mm) |
| Width | 70.7 in (1,796 mm) |
| Height | 54.9 in (1,394 mm) |
The final HE generation of the 929 appeared in Australia in April 1996. The engine remained a carry-over, and the dimensions of the vehicle were identical to the previous model. Production remained short; exports were halted in 1997 due to poor sales and an increasingly high price tag (in its final year the 929's price had increased to over $83,000 in the Australian market - about the same price as an entry-level BMW 5-Series).
Engines:
The 1995 Sentia used Mazda's updated HE platform, and was the last large RWD sedan from Mazda.
The mechanical underpinnings are largely carried over from the previous Sentia. The exterior and interior received a mild redesign to make the car more stately, and suitable for formal corporate use. This includes a larger grille, taller roofline for improved rear headroom, as well as large expanses of woodgrain panelling. Some sources have said that the car incorporates a number of styling cues from the stillborn Amati 1000.
The Japanese TV advertising campaign featured Sean Connery saying the car is "...striking!".
Engines:
The second-generation Sentia drops the 2.5-liter engine, and uses the 3-liter unit in two different tuning for 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) and 160 PS (118 kW; 158 hp) respectively.
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