18 July 2000 from, I sit down to drive the car with the Mazda Millenia updated after restyling «person». As everyone knows, once has been withdrawn from production Sentia, namely, the role of leader of Millenia moved lineup Mazda. I'll try to test this «leader» in the test track Hakone.

Come to renewed Millenia and just say: everything that sits in front of the front pillar, rewritten again. First, the grille. It seems that its shape is very familiar. Of course, this is the most important element, one might say, a symbol of the modern image of a family of cars Mazda Familia. But this time it comes in chrome-plated frame. And, apparently, because this looks great. Secondly, attention is attracted to a lamp prozhektornogo type multireflektorami. Side front line lattice smoothly «flow» into the bonnet. All the cars look very impressive for something not of native, foreign, not Japanese. But this is understandable: it Millenia is primarily aimed at buyers in North America.

I sit down on the driver's seat and look for ourselves. Immediately see a strictly horizontal cover near the front of the correct form. Appearance Salon executed in bright colors, but the front - the horizontal plane, with its dark color. Admission is clear: through a combination of two colors visually increases the cabin. But in this particular case, it came out not very impressive. But from what I have come to light excitation - is on the steering wheel around a thin and small in diameter. Because this is the case in sport, almost as in the premium-class Sedan.

First, I chose to sport a complete set of 25M, which is equipped with a 2.5-liter engine with 6-th cylinder, V-shaped. This engine develops power of 200 horsepower, the peak of which goes to 6500 rpm. Maximum torque - 22.8 kg / m at 4800 rpm. The machine is on wheels in size 215/50R17. This amount is used exclusively for sport utility vehicles. The same can be said of the adjustment of the suspension.

From the catalog I learned that the engine is a series of KL-ZE c mirror cycle, which is equipped with Millenia, is a motor «elite». But, in truth, the multi-cylinder engine, I expect more smoothness of rotation. And everything went wrong. Not only that the engine worked, I would say, «rough», as a noise to pass through the interior of his cabin. On the other hand - and that that noisy but cheerful!

While I was moving on the normal route, I was not left feeling that the spring suspension of work such as uncoordinated. But then the start of the road and dodge away then up and down. Then I caught myself thinking that I have to deal with the real embodiment of the principles of the philosophy of production, developed by Mazda. Namely: «Power, multiplied by the controllability of the type of instant reaction». Of course, even if the models of class designers are trying to emphasize the unity of every car and person, it is even more evident in the sports car orientation. As is typical for Mazda!

Then I moved to another Millenia set (ie, 20M), the engine which is also linked to the type of V6. But after getting acquainted with 25M to me it seemed weaker. It is easy to understand, given that the engine is KF-ZE, which is equipped with this modification, the parameter «product of cross section of the cylinder to the working stroke» is one step lower than his brother - the engine of KL-ZE. So it turns out that it turns more easily, and the noise is not so much.

Although some reduction in noise can be explained, and easier - a difference of 501 cu. cm working volume. But, certainly, through the installation of smaller wheels (215/55R16) joined softer suspension that gave a significant increase on the part of comfort. In general, this first-class machine, but as they say, it does not reveal anything new. Although, who knows, may be the role of «dark horse» - this is only for the time being.

Mazda Millenia 25M in Japan is 2,755,000 yen (about $ 26,200), 20M - 2,350,000 yen (about $ 22,400). That is the new Millenia is in line with such models as the Toyota Altezza, a family of three brothers Mark II, Nissan Cefiro and Skyline. Between Toyota and Nissan in this niche is a uncompromising struggle, which is interesting: if it forces a new Mazda car is not lost in such a «hot» company?