Mazda Astina / Lantis (1994)
The Mazda Lantis is a series of two cars sold in Japan from 1993 to 1996. In the rest of the world it was also known as 323F, Astina, Allegro Hatchback or Artis Hatchback.
The Mazda Lantis used Mazda's CB platform, which means close relations to the Eunos 500/Xedos 6 and the 1994-1997 Mazda Capella. It was an FF layout car with either a manual or automatic transmission.
The body variant is what Mazda called a "4-door coupé", which in common terminology is a 5-door hatchback. In Europe the 5-door hatchback was designated BA, but was actually almost identical to the CB, and had little to do with other B platforms.
The 5-door was sold as the Mazda 323F in Europe, Artis in Chile and Allegro Hatchback (HB) in Colombia and a few other countries of Latin America. This model was penned by Ginger (Arnold) Ostle, who worked for Porsche before arriving at Mazda, and thus fans consider the 5-door to be closely related to the 4-door Panamera.
The Mazda 323F features power steering, electrically adjustable mirrors, central locking and power windows. Another noticeable feature are the frameless windows, similar to the Nissan Presea.
By the time the cars premiered in August 1993, Mazda's multi-brand strategy had become difficult to sustain, so both Lantis variants were released to Mazda, Efini and Eunos dealerships. Sales in Japan were lacklustre throughout the Lantis' production run, but the 323F proved to be immensely popular in Europe and some Latin America countries, where it sold in reasonable numbers right until it was discontinued.
The rare Type-R version of the Mazda Lantis was sold in Japan only and could be obtained in Europe and other parts of the world through import. The Type-R features a front lip, side skirts, a whale-tail spoiler (also featured on the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth and Ford Escort RS Cosworth), coloured front indicators and other modifications.
The name Lantis is created from the Latin phrase "Latens Curtis", which roughly translates as "To secretly shorten".
Although the 323F lacks a badge indicating which engine is fitted, the V6 version is easily recognizable since it is the only 323F with 5 stud hubs.
The regular 1.5 and 1.8 litre injection engines are very suitable to fit an LPG installation.
[Text from Wikipedia]
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_Lantis
This miniland-scale Lego Mazda Lantis / Astina Liftback (1994) has been created for Flickr LUGNuts' 92nd Build Challenge, - "Stuck in the 90's", - all about vehicles from the decade of the 1990s.
The Lantis - known as the Astina ins Australia, is definitely one of my favourite cars from the period, particularly for a small family car. Though rare in other parts of the world, a much higher percentage of the vehicles sold here were equipped with the 2.0 litre V6. I had not heard of the bewinged 'Type-R' until doing research for this model build.
Mazda Astina / Lantis (1994)
The Mazda Lantis is a series of two cars sold in Japan from 1993 to 1996. In the rest of the world it was also known as 323F, Astina, Allegro Hatchback or Artis Hatchback.
The Mazda Lantis used Mazda's CB platform, which means close relations to the Eunos 500/Xedos 6 and the 1994-1997 Mazda Capella. It was an FF layout car with either a manual or automatic transmission.
The body variant is what Mazda called a "4-door coupé", which in common terminology is a 5-door hatchback. In Europe the 5-door hatchback was designated BA, but was actually almost identical to the CB, and had little to do with other B platforms.
The 5-door was sold as the Mazda 323F in Europe, Artis in Chile and Allegro Hatchback (HB) in Colombia and a few other countries of Latin America. This model was penned by Ginger (Arnold) Ostle, who worked for Porsche before arriving at Mazda, and thus fans consider the 5-door to be closely related to the 4-door Panamera.
The Mazda 323F features power steering, electrically adjustable mirrors, central locking and power windows. Another noticeable feature are the frameless windows, similar to the Nissan Presea.
By the time the cars premiered in August 1993, Mazda's multi-brand strategy had become difficult to sustain, so both Lantis variants were released to Mazda, Efini and Eunos dealerships. Sales in Japan were lacklustre throughout the Lantis' production run, but the 323F proved to be immensely popular in Europe and some Latin America countries, where it sold in reasonable numbers right until it was discontinued.
The rare Type-R version of the Mazda Lantis was sold in Japan only and could be obtained in Europe and other parts of the world through import. The Type-R features a front lip, side skirts, a whale-tail spoiler (also featured on the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth and Ford Escort RS Cosworth), coloured front indicators and other modifications.
The name Lantis is created from the Latin phrase "Latens Curtis", which roughly translates as "To secretly shorten".
Although the 323F lacks a badge indicating which engine is fitted, the V6 version is easily recognizable since it is the only 323F with 5 stud hubs.
The regular 1.5 and 1.8 litre injection engines are very suitable to fit an LPG installation.
[Text from Wikipedia]
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_Lantis
This miniland-scale Lego Mazda Lantis / Astina Liftback (1994) has been created for Flickr LUGNuts' 92nd Build Challenge, - "Stuck in the 90's", - all about vehicles from the decade of the 1990s.
The Lantis - known as the Astina ins Australia, is definitely one of my favourite cars from the period, particularly for a small family car. Though rare in other parts of the world, a much higher percentage of the vehicles sold here were equipped with the 2.0 litre V6. I had not heard of the bewinged 'Type-R' until doing research for this model build.