Mazda Lantis

Mazda Lantis

Mazda Lantis 4-door coupé/5-door hatchback
Manufacturer	Mazda
Also called	323F, Astina, Allegro Hatchback or Artis Hatchback
Production	1994–1998
Body style	5-door hatchback (Lantis/Astina)
Layout	FF layout
Engine	1.5 L 87 hp Z5 I4 1.6 L 88 hp B6-D I4 1.8 L 112 hp BP I4 2.0 L 147 hp KF-DE V6
Transmission	4-speed F-4EAT automatic 5-speed manual
Wheelbase	Hatchback: 2,450 mm (96 in)
Length	Hatchback: 4,155 mm (163.6 in)
Width	Hatchback: 1,670 mm (66 in)
Height	Hatchback: 1,380 mm (54 in)

The Mazda Lantis was 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.

Mazda Lantis Type-R

Mazda Allegro HB in Colombia with a 1.6 engine

Mazda Lantis V6 European version

Mazda Lantis V6 European version

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^{[citation needed]}, 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 NX.

By the time the cars premiered in August 1993, Mazda's multi-brand strategy had become difficult to sustain^{[citation needed]}, so both Lantis variants were released to Mazda, Efini and Eunos dealerships. Sales in Japan were lacklustre^{[citation needed]} 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.^{[citation needed]}

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".

The "Astina" has been selected for "Jackie Chan" trophy in 1995 and 1996 Macau Grand Prix driven by the Hong Kong actor with a professional racing driver sitting beside him to assist.

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 wheelnuts per wheel.

The regular 1.5 and 1.8 litre injection engines are very suitable to fit an LPG installation.

External links

• Hungarian Mazda club - Hungarian Mazda Society
• Dutch 323F club
• CLUB323F UK
• CZ 323F club
• Astina GT club
• Croatian Mazda forum
• Mazda Club Serbia
• Portuguese Mazda forum - Clube MazdaPT
• Probe Store - 323F specialist, UK based.
• [1] - Polish Mazda Club
• Malaysian Lantis Club
• Lithuanian 323F Club
• Bulgarian Mazda Forum - Bulgarian Mazda Society
• Moo Engine Shop Thailand
• Mazdaclub Thailand