MAZDA BONGO VAN: Which Version Do You Like for Used Car?

First Generation (1966-1975)

The MAZDA BONGO VAN went on sale in May 1966 as a new type vehicle. Its design, even when compared with commercial vehicles released by other competitors, was uniquely cute and lovely. And yet, as a RR drive system with the engine installed in the back, the model was able to achieve a super-low floor for the center section, improving practicability. The height of the floor was only 45cm from the ground.

The RR/SA water-cooling inline four-cylinder OHV gasoline engine for the MAZDA FAMILIA, with 782cc displacement and 37 horsepower, was vertically installed in the rear. Thanks to this power output, the model was able to achieve a maximum speed of 100km.

Minor changes made in April 1968 led to the engine being replaced by a 1,000cc engine with 48 horsepower. Furthermore, blinkers were newly installed on the side of the body.

Second Generation BA2 Series (1977-1983)

In September 1977, after two years of a blank period that started when sale of the first generation model ended, the second generation model went on sale. The RR drive system that had been its distinguishing feature up to this point was replaced by the FR; other changes were made to specialize the model toward business and commercial use. Body size measured in length, width, and height at 3,995mm, 1,620mm, and 1,825mm respectively, with a wheelbase of 2,155mm. The loading capacity lineup consisted of 600kg and 800kg.
Though the drive system was FR, the trunk underwent some changes, and the rear tires were changed to small-diameter double tires, allowing for a flatter trunk floor. For the body types, for each of the models with 600kg loading capacity and 850kg loading capacity, the 4-door, 5-door, and root van were available; furthermore, for only the 600kg vehicle, the high roof 4-door and 5-door were added to the lineup.

The riding capacity was 6 people, with two rows of seating in the front and back that each fit 3 people. With only 3 people riding in the front seats, loading capacity was 600kg/850kg. If the second row of seats in the back were filled, for a total of 6 passengers, loading capacity was 400kg/600kg.

The 1,272cc gasoline engine with 71 horsepower and the 1,600cc gasoline engine with 82 horsepower were newly made available.

In October 1979, with an added aim to adhere to the 1979 gas emission regulations, the engine carried was changed from the 1,272cc with 71 horsepower to the 1,400cc with 76 horsepower.

In January 1981, minor changes were implemented, and the headlights were changed from the round two-lamp to the rectangular two-lamp headlights.

Third Generation (1983-1999)

The BONGO VAN underwent another full model change, leading to the introduction of the third generation model in September 1993. Certain features of the popular second generation model were carried over, but at the same time, greater improvements were made to increase riding comfort, such as a flush surface exterior and a higher quality instrument panel. The car body size was enlarged, measuring in length, width, and height at 3,995mm, 1,645mm, and 1,835mm respectively. Furthermore, the wheelbase measured at 2,220mm. The larger body size allowed for improved loading capacity and functionality.

The engine lineup consisted of the 1,490cc gasoline engine with 67 horsepower, the 1,789cc gasoline engine with 76 horsepower, the 1,998cc diesel engine with 58 horsepower, and the 2,220cc diesel engine with 61 horsepower. This was combined with a 5-speed manual transmission; for some grades, the 4-speed automatic transmission was made available as an option.

Options for the drive system consisted of the FR and 4WD.

In September 1987, minor changes were implemented that led to further improvements in driving and riding comfort, such as the installment of power steering and rear wipers.

Minor changes made in February 1990 led to the installment of rear under mirrors and power door locks.

In October 1996, further minor changes were implemented, leading to a significant change in the engine lineup. The option for a gasoline engine was consolidated into the 1,789cc engine with 76 horsepower, and the diesel engine option was also changed to the 2,184cc with 76 horsepower. Furthermore, the cheaper grade with the FR drive system was installed with front disk brakes, demonstrating efforts to improve safety features.

Fourth Generation SK82/SKF2 Model (1999 - )

In June 1999, the fourth generation model was introduced. With this model change, the forward half of the chassis was improved with the aim to enhance collision safety; the base of the chassis itself was developed based on the third generation model. As for areas other than the car body, both the interior and exterior were reformed to create a completely new model. As for the body type, in addition to the standard and high roof, variations like the sliding door (which users having the option to choose as sliding door on one side only, or sliding doors on both sides) were introduced, leading to a great expansion of body options.
The car body size is the largest thus far, measuring in length, width, and height at 4,370mm, 1,690mm, and 1,985mm respectively. However, the minimum turning radius is 4.3m-the smallest thus far-leading to overall great improvements in usability.
The trunk length measures at 2,375mm, and its width at 1,480mm. Moreover, for the DX, the “compact folding seats” were installed; the second row of seats could be folded down in two steps, allowing the user to utilize the area behind the front seats and above the engine deck as storage space. Thus, great improvements were made on storage capacity.
In terms of the interior as well, for the automatic vehicles, the column-mounted shifter was employed to secure greater foot space. Furthermore, storage shelves were installed in the instrument panel, and large-sized door pockets were utilized, further increasing storage capabilities.

The 1,789cc gasoline engine with 90 horsepower and the 2,184cc diesel engine with 79 horsepower are the two engine options available.

As for the drive system and transmission, the same options were carried over from the previous generation model; 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmission are combined with the FR or 4WD.

In December 2003, the diesel engine was newly changed to the 1,998cc with 86 horsepower; at the same time, the gasoline engine’s power output was enhanced to 95 horsepower. The newly developed inline four-cylinder 1,998cc common rail direct infusion turbocharged engine (RF-CDT model) with 86 horsepower saw great reductions in NOx gas emission. To achieve this, catalyst support type Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) are used. In terms of the reduction in NOx emission, this is realized due to the optimal controlling of the combustion temperature, as well as increased combustion efficiency through the common rail’s high-pressure fuel injection. Consequently, the model was able to adhere to the 2003 Gas Emission Regulation’s (new short-term regulation) Vehicle NOx/PM Law. Fuel consumption has been greatly enhanced to 13.6km/L for the 2,148cc diesel engine model and to 15.4km/L for the 1,998cc diesel engine model.
Furthermore, aside from the engine, greater improvements were made on other areas, such as safety features. All vehicles were equipped with driver’s side seatbelts with pretensioners and road limiters.

In August 2010, the gasoline engine was changed to the 1,798cc with 102 horsepower, which saw improvements in power output and fuel efficiency. The fuel consumption varied according to the grade, ranging from 10.2km/L to 11.0km/L. In terms of the interior, a large-sized console box was installed in between the driver and passenger seats, further improving storage capabilities. Additionally, airbags were installed on passenger seats, further improving safety. However, because of the installment of this large-sized console box, the riding capacity of the front seats decreased, leading to one less person being able to sit in the front.
In terms of the new lineup, there are eight variations for the FR, such as the 500kg loading capacity, 750kg, and 1,000kg; for the 4WD, there are four variations, such as the 700kg and 950kg loading capacity-making for a total of 12 variations available.

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