Mazda B-Series

2006-08-07T14:56:00Z

131.107.0.73: /* 1980 */

[[Image:Pickupwlrsm.jpg|right|250px|1986 Mazda B2000 extended cab]]
From the first '''B-Series''' pickup truck, [[Mazda]] has used the engine displacement to determine the name. Thus, the B1500 had a 1.5 L engine, and the new B4000 has a 4.0 L V6. For 2002, the name was changed to simply '''Mazda Truck''' in the United States. Mazda's partnership with [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] has resulted in the sharing of this vehicle—the Mazda B-Series and [[Ford Ranger]] are essentially the same after 1994.

In Japan, Mazda uses the '''Proceed''' name on its compact pickup trucks, and another line of larger trucks is available called the [[Mazda Titan]]. Other names used for this line include '''Mazda Bravo''' (Australia), '''Mazda Bounty''' (New Zealand), and '''Mazda Drifter''' (South Africa). However, it should be borne in mind that the Mazda B-Series and Ford Ranger twins found inside North America are unrelated to the ones sold elsewhere. Those are engineered by Mazda, whereas the North American models are developed by Ford.

According to Autoline Detroit, the Mazda B Series is the worst selling vehicle currently on the market.

==1972==

The B-Series was introduced to the United States with the 1972 '''B1600'''. It was joined in 1974 by the similar rotary-powered Rotary Pickup. The engine was enlarged to 1.8 L for 1977's '''B1800'''.

Engines:
* 1972-1976 - 1.6 L (1586 cc) [[Straight-4|I4]]
* 1977-1979 - 1.8 L (1796 cc) ''[[Mazda C engine#1800|1800]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]]

==1980==

The 1980 '''B2000''' used a 2.0 liter [[Mazda F engine#F/MA|F/MA]] engine, replacing the B1800. The 2.2 L '''B2200''' ''diesel'' joined this truck in 1982. The US B-Series continued through 1985, one year past the international version, though the 2.0 L engine was updated that year.

The B-2000 was also available in a long bed version which was given the model name ''Sundowner'' - a reference to nomadic Australian herders who would make camp wherever they were at sundown.

Engines:
* 1980-1984 - 2.0 L (1970 cc) ''[[Mazda F engine#F/MA|F/MA]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]]
* 1985 - 2.0 L (1998 cc) ''[[Mazda F engine#FE|FE]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]]
* 1982-1985 - 2.2 L (2209 cc) [[Straight-4|I4]]

==1986==

A new B-Series was introduced in 1986 and was produced until 1991. A 4-speed [[automatic transmission]] was the primary choice, with a 5-speed [[manual transmission]] through 1990. Part-time [[four wheel drive]] was another option. The 2.6 L Mitsubishi-powered '''B2600''' was introduced in 1987. This year also saw the Mazda [[straight-4]] enlarged to 2.2 L in the '''B2200''', with the smaller engine phased out after that year. The Mitsubishi engine was gone for 1989, replaced by a new family of Mazda powerplants.

Engine options:
* '''B2000'''
** 1985-1986 - 2.0 L (1998 cc) ''[[Mazda F engine#FE|FE]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]]
* '''B2200'''
** 1987-1991 - 2.2 L (2209 cc) ''[[Mazda F engine#F2|F2]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]], 85 hp
* '''B2600'''
** 1987-1988 - 2.6 L (2555 cc) ''[[Mitsubishi 4G5x engine#4G54|G54B]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]], 102 hp
** 1989-1991 - 2.6 L (2606 cc) ''[[Mazda G engine#G6|G6]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]], 121 hp

==1992==
The 1992 Proceed/B-Series was updated again but had a short life in North America, where it was replaced by a [[Ford Ranger]] twin in 1994. However, this version continued to the end of the decade in most other countries, including Japan.

Engine options:
* '''B2200'''
** 1992–1993 - 2.2 L (2184 cc) ''[[Mazda F engine#F2|F2]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]], 85 hp
* '''B2600'''
** 1992–1993 - 2.6 L (2606 cc) ''[[Mazda G engine#G6|G6]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]], 121 hp

==1994==
The North American 1994 Proceed/B-Series was new, the design having been merged with the [[Ford Ranger]]. Mazda continued to manufacture its own trucks in Japan and elsewhere, but for the North American market, the design was shared, as were the engines. The new '''B3000''' and '''B4000''' boasted large Ford V6 engines, and the [[manual transmission]] returning to the options sheet. Extended cab models were available, as was [[all wheel drive]], and two trim lines, ''LE'' and ''SE''. The 3.0 L B3000 was dropped for 1997, and the entire line was refreshed after that year.

Engine options:
* '''B2300'''
** 1994 - 2.3 L (2311 cc) ''[[Ford Pinto engine#2.3 OHC|OHC]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]], 98 hp
** 1995-1997 - 2.3 L (2311 cc) ''[[Ford Pinto engine#2.3 OHC|OHC]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]], 112 hp
* '''B3000'''
** 1994 - 3.0 L (2983 cc) ''[[Ford Vulcan engine|Vulcan]]'' [[V6]], 140 hp
** 1995-1996 - 3.0 L (2983 cc) ''[[Ford Vulcan engine|Vulcan]]'' [[V6]], 145 hp
* '''B4000'''
** 1994-1997 - 4.0 L (4016 cc) ''[[Ford Cologne V6 engine|Cologne]]'' [[V6]], 160 hp

==1998==
North America saw an entirely new Ranger/Proceed/B-Series again for 1998, with a larger base engine. An available 5-speed [[automatic transmission]] was a novelty. The 1999 B-Series added four doors, a first in the extended-cab pickup truck market. A refresh and updated 4.0 L V6 came in 2001.

Engine options:
* '''B2500'''
** 1998-2001 - 2.5 L (2507 cc) ''[[Ford Pinto engine#2.5 OHC|OHC]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]], 119 hp
* '''B3000'''
** 1998-2001 - 3.0 L (2957 cc) ''[[Ford Vulcan engine|Vulcan]]'' [[V6]], 150 hp
* '''B4000'''
** 1998-2000 - 4.0 L (4025 cc) ''[[Ford Cologne V6 engine|Cologne]]'' [[V6]], 160 hp
** 2001 - 4.0 L (4025 cc) ''[[Ford Cologne V6 engine|Cologne]]'' [[V6]], 207 hp

==2002==
Engine options:
* 2002-2004 - 2.3 L (2300 cc) [[Straight-4|I4]], 135 hp
* 2002-2003 - 3.0 L (2957 cc) ''[[Ford Vulcan engine|Vulcan]]'' [[V6]], 147 hp
* 2004 - 3.0 L (2957 cc) ''[[Ford Vulcan engine|Vulcan]]'' [[V6]], 154 hp
* 2002-2004 - 4.0 L (4025 cc) ''[[Ford Cologne V6 engine|Cologne]]'' [[V6]], 207 hp

==External links==

[[Category:Mazda vehicles|B-Series]]
[[Category:Flexible-fuel vehicles]]
[[Category:Pickup trucks]]
[[Category:Compact Pickup trucks]]
[[Category:All wheel drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Rear wheel drive vehicles]]

Wikicars - User contributions [en]

Mazda B-Series