MAZDAXedos 9 1993 - 2001

　　At the beginning of the '90s, Mazda tried to launch a premium brand to compete against Infiniti, Acura, and Lexus. The first model which should enter the competition was the Xedos 9/Millenia.

　　Unfortunately for the Japanese brand, an economic crisis forced them to cancel the program. Still, the Millenia/Xedos 9 was built and remained an example of what they could do if the recession wouldn't strike them.

　　Sleek and streamlined, the Xedos 9 featured a slim front fascia with narrow headlights and a grille that didn't resemble any other Mazda on the market. The curved surfaces and flowing lines went into an ascending trend toward the rear. The raked A-pillars and sloped rear windscreen improved the aerodynamic coefficient.

　　The interior was roomy for five adult passengers. The manufacturer installed steering-wheel buttons and a complete instrument panel that offered enough information about the driver's car and speed. On the sides of the instrument cluster, the carmaker installed warning lights for various functions. Under the door-mounted armrests, there were covered compartments.

　　The magic came in the technical department. The Xedos 9 was available with an all-wheel-steering system and traction control. There was a choice of three V6 engines under the hood, and the most interesting was the 2.3-liter unit. It was a Miller cycle type, which allowed the car to offer excellent fuel-efficiency for its times, even if it was mated to a 4-speed automatic gearbox. The other two were paired with a 5-speed manual. One particular advantage of the car was the fully independent suspension and the low center of gravity that helped it achieve the same speed on the elk-avoiding test as the Nissan 300 ZX or the BMW 850i.