In a quiet nook of Retro Havoc 2024, amidst a gathering of 950 modified automobiles, sat an unassuming Mazda, seemingly separated from the remainder of the present.
Whether or not attributable to a late arrival by its proprietor, Tiup, or the discerning eye of Retro Havoc organisers Alie Kuoppa and Farah Darlings, the little Mazda Familia had discovered itself in its personal show space. However what makes this ’90s hatchback so particular that it deserves a highlight? Actually, not a lot at first look. The Familia is unremarkable in most trim ranges, however it does share its household tree with some notable family members.
The Familia identify has been round since 1963, debuting in Japan as a two-door van – then different physique types – after being penned by 25-year-old Giorgetto Giugiaro. It was referred to as the Mazda 800 in abroad markets. The second era Familia (Mazda 1000) arrived in 1967, once more in a wide range of physique varieties, and with four-cylinder engines underpinning the mannequin. There was an exception, although – the Familia Rotary (aka R100) which featured Mazda’s first manufacturing rotary engine, the 10A. The high-performance Familia’s motorsport success – together with a notable efficiency on the 1969 Spa 24 Hours – marked Mazda’s early triumphs and laid the groundwork for future legends just like the 787B. Within the early Seventies, Mazda’s rotary engine was additionally fitted to the Grand Familia, higher referred to as the Savanna or RX-3.
However we’re not right here to speak rotaries.
Finally, the Familia line was completely powered by four-cylinder engines. The rotary, nonetheless, continued, most notable within the Mazda RX-7. That leads us, in a roundabout method, to the world of rally.
For a quick time, Mazda Rally Workforce Europe used an RX-7 in Group B. Regardless of being underpowered and rear-wheel drive, the Mazda did podium on the Acropolis Rally. Sadly, that was the top of the road; Mazda didn’t need to again the event of an all-wheel drive RX-7, by which period Group B’s curtains have been closing. Enter Group A and the Mazda Familia in BF-series kind.
At its peak within the early Nineties, the BG collection Familia – or 323 in export markets – featured an all-wheel drive, turbocharged 1.8L four-cylinder powertrain in its highest-performance JDM manufacturing fashions. For homologation functions, 2,200 Familia GT-Rs and 300 Familia GT-Ae (a motorsport base with lighter weight and that includes a close-ratio gearbox amongst different modifications) variants have been produced completely for the Japanese home market. Whereas the Familia couldn’t match the likes of Lancia, Ford, Toyota and Subaru on the World Rally Championship stage, the 300hp Group A automotive was removed from a failure.
Whereas the sixth-generation Familia I noticed at Retro Havoc appears like a GT-R/GT-Ae with the distinctive rally-style entrance bumper, grille, vented bonnet, and five-stud hubs, it’s not. It’s not even a GT-X – the entry all-wheel drive turbo BG-series Familia. It began life as a lowly front-wheel drive, naturally aspirated variant bought new in Malaysia.
As per Malaysian automotive legal guidelines, it’s nonetheless front-wheel drive, however that’s the place most similarities between the way it left the manufacturing unit and the way it presents now start and finish. On the search to construct the perfect BG Familia hatchback with the assets obtainable to him, Tiup turned to Japan-based wreckers and public sale websites to supply the entire OEM and aftermarket components.
Inside, the automotive options GT-R leather-based seats entrance and rear – the driving force’s seat having since been swapped out for a uncommon Mazdaspeed recliner – plus a Mazdaspeed steering wheel, 240km/h speedometer, and numerous Defi gauges.
Underneath the hood, the unique 1.5L mill has given technique to a BP 1.8L turbo powerplant from a GT-R. With locally-fabricated consumption and exhaust manifolds and different power-making modifications within the combine, the engine is making far more than its authentic 210hp. That will be an issue for the driveline if the automotive was all-wheel drive – the manufacturing unit AWD gearboxes have been a weak hyperlink – however not so with all that energy being despatched to the entrance wheels. Though, traction is a matter.
Regardless of not being the Familia mannequin it visually emulates, Tiup’s construct represents every thing nice about Malaysian automotive tradition at an fanatic degree. The place there’s a will, there’s all the time a method.
Toby Thyer
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