Mazda BJ & Ford KN/KQ (1998-2003)

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Mazda BJ & Ford KN/KQ (1998-2003)
Feb 28, 2008 at 8:50 PM Post a comment




Sportingtwins


A redesigned ninth-generation BJ Familia was introduced on June 9, 1998 as a 1999 model. Body styles were the sedan, 5-door S-Wagon (sold as the Protegé5 in the United States and Canada, and Astina NU in some Asian countries), 3-door hatchback, and traditional 5-door Wagon. A 4EC automatic transmission and two 5-speed manual transmissions are available (the manual is better for the performance oriented person). All wheel drive is optional.

The 1999 BJ platform was updated with a 4-door sedan or 5-door hatchback chassis based on the larger Mazda 626 and more engine choices. The Japanese Mazda Familia again got all wheel drive as an option. In America, the ES's engine was still 1.8 liters large but was a shrunken version of the 626's engine rather than the Miata's more exciting motor. Disc brakes on the ES were also lost.

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 Wingroad.

The entire line was updated for 2001 with sharper styling, a revised suspension, and a new audio system.

A 2.0 L gas engine appeared in 2001 on the Japanese market Sport 20. A tall wagon version of the Familia called the Mazda Premacy was also available, and which was sold in Japan as the Ford Ixion. In 1999, Ford of Japan ceased to market Mazda-based models, and the Ford Laser, along with the Ixion, Telstar and Festiva, was dropped.

For the 2001 model year in North America, Mazda introduced the limited-edition Protegé MP3 featuring a new sport-tuned suspension, 17 inch Racing Hart wheels, and a 10 hp (7.5 kW) gain for a total of 140 hp (104 kW), which was achieved through a tuned factory ECU which advances ignition timing and requires Premium Pump Gasoline, cat-back exhaust by Racing Beat, and removal of the Mazda VTCS system which hindered air velocity in the intake manifold. As the name suggests, the MP3 also came from the factory with a complete 450-watt Kenwood powered MP3 stereo with 10 inch powered subwoofer.

Only 1500 were produced - 1000 of the blue, and 500 yellows. 2001 also saw Protegés getting a sharper face lift, the ES getting its rear disc brakes back and a stiffer suspension, and the 1.8 L engine growing to 2.0 L in the ES models, and also an option on the LX model, becoming the 2.0LX. All 2001 Protege LX's with no 2.0 distinction came with the 1.6 L ZM-DE engine offered previously.

2002 saw the introduction of a station wagon version called Protegé5. All Proteges (including the 5) got the 2.0 L engine this year and a slightly revised interior.

A Protegé 5 was introduced as another limited edition, having a revised 2.0 L engine, offering 170 hp (127 kW)/133 ft·lbf (180 N·m)

In 2003, Mazdaspeed introduced the Mazdaspeed Protegé, an update to the Protegé MP3 that had a 170 hp (127 kW)/160 ft·lbf (217 N·m) turbocharged engine, shared the MP3's full Racing Beat suspension, redesigned 17 inch wheels, larger four-wheel disc brakes, and a Kenwood stereo system that included an amplifier along with a rear-deck mounted 8 inch sub. Mazda then followed with a mid year change dubbed the "2003.5." This model included a different aero-kit, the same 17 inch Racing Beat wheels, but with a darker color, and custom interior pieces. In total, there were only 4,500 Mazdaspeed Protegé models ever produced. (1,750 Black/Orange (2003) and 2,750 Yellow/Titanium/Blue/Silver (2003.5/7))

Also of note in the 2003 model is that the ES model received a triptronic Automatic transmission as an option, as well as a new wheel design refresh appearing on models with the 15 inch alloy rim option. This was also the last year of production for the Protegé.

This generation went into production on September 29, 1998, and the very last model rolled off the assembly line on October 2, 2003. It remains in production in Taiwan, where it is also badged as the Ford Activa, which, unlike the Ford Laser, has no styling changes from the 323, except for the badges. (In Southeast Asia, a version of the last Laser is still assembled in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines as the Ford Lynx).

This Generation is also still in production as at 2008, in Asia (Taiwan) As the Mazda Isamu Genki (sold as hatch and sedan and with little or no styling differences to the original 1998 production model), and in some South American countries (Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela), badged as The Mazda Allegro. Each Allegro keep in the styling of the last generation 323/Protege/Astina/Familia.

In Colombia, production of the Mazda 323 continued well until 2003, built by its local subsidiary, the Compañía Colombiana Automotriz. The 323 remains to this day one of the most successful cars made in the country and many models made across the years can still be seen in the streets of most Colombian and Andean cities. Oddly enough, the "boxy" look that characterized the vehicle during the 1980s and the early 1990s remained until production's end due to the demand of the local market for the car's lines.

Chinese company FAW Haima Automobile Co., Ltd. produces a restyled version of 323 called Haima Family. It is equipped with a 1.6 L gasoline engine mated with either a 5-speed manual gearbox or 4-speed automatic gearbox.

Engines:

1.3 L B3-ME SOHC I4
1.5 L ZL-DE DOHC I4
1.5 L ZL-VE S-VT I4
1.8 L FP-DE DOHC I4
2.0 L FS, 130 hp (97 kW) and 135 ft·lbf (183 N·m)
2.0 L FS-ZE (2001 Sport 20)
2.0 L RF Diesel
FORD KN/KQ


Mazda 323/Familia BJ





Mazdaspeed BJ