Mazda Bongo: A Shape Shifter

Mazda Bongo: A Shape Shifter

Mazda Bongo: A Shape Shifter

Mazda launched Bongo van in 1966 as a rear wheel drive vehicle and used same design for next ten years till 1975. Company was forced to cancel Bongos production because of financial troubles and harsh emission standards set by governments around the globe. This first generation (1966-1975) Mazda Bongo has now become a collectors item and enthusiasts are trying to figure out exact number of these on road.

Second generation (1977-1983) Bongo was again a rear wheel drive vehicle but Mazda fitted engine in middle. Mazda used 1.2, 1.6 and 1.4 litre engines from 1977 till 1983. Third generation (1983-1999) was sold under Ford and Nissans badges as well. Ford launched it as Spectron in Asian markets whereas Mazda launched it as E Series in Australia, Nissan on the other hand used Vanette badge for Bongo. Mazda massively redesigned Bongo and fitted new petrol and diesel engines. Mazda used 1.4, 1.8 and 2.0 litre petrol engines along with 2.0 and 2.2 litre diesel engines in third generation Bongo. Mazda initiated Brawny version of Bongo during same time frame, which was simply a longer wheelbase version of third generation Bongo.

Fourth generation (1999 till present) was launched as Mazda E Series and apart from Ford and Nissan, Mitsubishi also started selling Bongo as Mitsubishi Delica. Mazda again launched Brawny version of Bongo vans and trucks in fourth generation with longer wheelbase. An interesting variant of Bongo was launched from 1995 till 2005 as Bongo Friendee. It was a camper van and few models came equipped with pre-fitted kitchens from Mazda factory. Bongo Friendee was also sold by automakers like Ford and Mitsubishi, Ford even sold Friendee in Mazdas home market of Japan as Ford Freda. Mazda launched Bongo Friendee with options for 1.8, 2.0 or 2.5 litre petrol engine along with 2.0 or 2.5 litre diesel engines.

Some famous Mazda Bongo engine codes used during these four generations were as follows. RF T Engine; it was 2.0 litre turbo charged Intercooler based 8 valve diesel engine produced from 1989 till 1994. WL Engine; this was 2.5 litre basic diesel engine produced through 1992 to 2002. It was a non turbo engine. WL T Engine; this was another 2.5 litre turbo charged diesel engine. Mazda used it in Bongo from 1992 till 2002. WL T Engine (EFI); these engines were based on EFI technology. WL T engine was 2.5 litre turbo charged diesel engine produced from 2002 till 2006.

by: Nadin Mihai

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