Mazda Bongo

Mazda Bongo
Overview
Manufacturer	Mazda
Also called	Mazda E-Series Mazda Access Ford Econovan Mazda Marathon
Production	1966–present
Assembly	Japan Shah Alam, Malaysia (AMI) Willowvale, Zimbabwe (WMMI)
Body and chassis
Class	Van
Related	Kia Bongo

The Mazda Bongo, also known as Mazda E-Series and Mazda Access, is a van manufactured by the Japanese manufacturer Mazda since 1966. It has been built with rear-, middle-, as well as front-mounted engines. It also formed the basis for the long running Kia Bongo range.

First generation (1966 - 1975)

First generation Mazda Bongo

Mazda introduced its small van, the Bongo, in May 1966. It featured a rear-mounted 782 cc water-cooled OHV SA 4-stroke engine driving the rear wheels. The rear-engined Bongo was produced in two versions from 1968, as the F800 was joined by the bigger-engined F1000. This has a 987 cc PB overhead valve inline-four engine with 48 PS (35 kW) at 5500 rpm. The chassis code for the 1-litre model is FPA. Mazda also showed an electrically powered version of the van, which could reach 75 km/h (47 mph) and with a 60 km (37 mi) range. This remained a prototype. The engines were shared with Mazda's Familia small car range. Production ended in 1975, due to Mazda suffering serious economic troubles and upcoming stricter emissions regulations for 1976. This model retained the same body shape for its 10 year production life, the later models fitted with inertia-reel seat belts, and separate front parking indicator lights.

The rear-engined Bongos had a full chassis (using the same Mazda 1000 engine as other variants mounted to a four-speed transaxle at the rear) and were very strong and due to the low gearing, able to carry half a ton. Due to rust and poor maintenance, these Bongos are now rare. The 1000 pickup and Bongo chassis are different, with common front suspension and brake components.

Second generation (1977 - 1983)

Second generation Mazda Bongo

The next Bongo van appeared in September 1977. It was a mid-engine rear wheel drive vehicle. Ford sold this version of the van as the Ford Econovan, while Mazda sold it for export as the E1300, E1400, and E1600, depending on engine size. This generation was also manufactured by Kia in South Korea, as the Kia Bongo and Ceres. The Bongo/Ceres underwent a number of facelifts and was still available as late as 1999. As the E1600, this model went on sale in Great Britain in 1982, only a year before being replaced. The British market only received the long wheelbase 1-tonne panel van version with small, twinned rear wheels. The UK model has a five-speed manual gearbox with a column mounted shifter.

Engines

• 1977-1979 1272 cc TC, 60 PS (44 kW) / 77 PS (57 kW) JIS (Japan) - BA2T8
• 1978-1982 1586 cc NA, 80 PS (59 kW) / 82 PS (60 kW) JIS (Japan) - BA2N9
• 1979-1980 1415 cc UC, 70 PS (52 kW)

Third generation (1983 - 1999)

Third generation Mazda Bongo

The Bongo was redesigned in 1983 with new engines. It was also sold by Ford in Asia as the "Spectron". In Australia, the Bongo was sold by Mazda as the E-series, with Ford also retailing the commercial version as the "Ford Econovan" and the passenger version as the "Ford Spectron" (1983–1990). From 1994 onwards, the Bongo was also sold by Nissan as the Vanette. In South Korea this was built as the Kia Wide Bongo.

Engines

Petrol

• 1984-1985 1415 cc UC
• 1983-1988 1789 cc F8
• 1983-1988 2.0 cc FE

Diesel

• 1984-1995 1998 cc Diesel
• 1983-1995 2209 cc R2 Diesel

Ford J80 (JDM, pre-facelift)	Mazda Bongo (JDM, second facelift)		Nissan Vanette (JDM, second facelift)
Ford Econovan (Australian spec, second facelift)		Mazda Bongo Wagon (JDM, second facelift)

Bongo Brawny

A new long-wheelbase version known as the Bongo Brawny was also introduced, three months before the regular Bongo. The Brawny was larger than the regular Bongo in by all key measures (wheelbase, length, width, height, and weight). In export markets this model was again sold as the E-series. In Australia, Ford differentiated the long-wheelbase versions with the "Econovan Maxi" identifier.

Ford Econovan Maxi (Australian spec, first facelift)	Ford Econovan Maxi (Australian spec, pre-facelift)	Ford Econovan Maxi (Australian spec, second facelift)
Mazda Bongo Brawny (JDM)	Mazda Bongo Brawny (JDM, second facelift)	Mazda Bongo Brawny Wagon (JDM, first facelift)

Fourth generation (1999 - present)

In June 1999, a new generation of Bongo vans and trucks went on sale, which were also rebadged as the Mazda E-series, Ford Econovan, Mitsubishi Delica, and Nissan Vanette. This will be the last generation of in-house designed Bongo vans and trucks with Mazda's March 2012 announcement that it will be withdrawing from commercial vehicle production and will focus on fuel efficient cars.

Mazda Bongo front view	Mazda Bongo rear view
Mitsubishi Delica	Nissan Vanette

Bongo brawny

Like the previous generation, the Bongo Brawny was larger in all key dimensions. The Brawny retained many of the parts of the previous generation, such as the sliding side doors, and looks rather similar to the previous generation model. The E-series label continued to be used in export markets, although they were now fewer than before. The Bongo Brawny was discontinued in 2010.

Mazda Bongo Brawny	Mazda E2000, Australia	Mitsubishi Delica Cargo
	Mazda E2200 truck (Turkey)

Bongo Friendee (1995 - 2005)

Mazda Bongo Friendee

The Bongo Friendee was introduced in 1995 and is based on the SG platform. It is an eight seater MPV and it was also sold in the Japanese home market as the Ford Freda.

Ford Freda

They are usually (but not exclusively) available in automatic transmissions, and come in 2WD (SGL3) and 4WD (SGL5) versions. The 2.5-litre turbo diesels are common in Japan, although there is a 2.5-litre V6 petrol version available.

Mazda Bongo Friendee with Auto Free Top

The Mazda Bongo Friendee is an eight seater MPV. Some have had Mazda factory fitted kitchens installed within their car, but many others are imported and converted to camper vans in the UK. All of them have fold down seats downstairs to make a double bed, and on many models there is also an "Auto Free Top" elevating roof which 2 more people can sleep in. Flat-top versions are also available.

In June 1998, Mitsubishi Motors began reselling the Bongo. This was branded the Mazda Access in some markets.

In 1999, a facelift version appeared with a revised bodystyle and different engines, although the 2.5 turbodiesel continues unchanged. Air conditioning, climate control and electronic blinds are fitted as standard.

Engines

Petrol

• 2.0 L FE SOHC I4
• 2.5 L RF-V V6

Diesel

• 2.5 L turbodiesel (the same engine is found in the Ford Ranger Pickup in the UK)

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Last updated on 16 July 2014 at 01:22.