The Mazda 626 is an automobile that was produced by Mazda for the export market. It was based on the Japan-market Mazda Capella. The 626 replaced the 616/618 and RX-2 in 1979 and was sold through 2002, when the new Mazda6 took over as Mazda's large family car. 4,345,279 of the 626 and Ford Telstar models were sold worldwide.
The 626 was also sold as the Ford Telstar in Asia, Australasia and Southern Africa, but was later replaced by the European-sourced Ford Mondeo. While in Europe it was always considered a large family car, in North America the first two generations of the 626 were compact cars, and the third, fourth and fifth were mid-size cars.
The 1971 model 616 and 1972 model 618 had been modest successes in the United States, each lasting just a single year. By 1980, the American public was ready for a compact piston-engined Mazda, and the 626 has been a top seller for the marque ever since.
The first Mazda 626, the CB series, appeared in 1978, although most the model's introduction to most markets was delayed until 1979. The 626 was a front engined rear-wheel drive compact, little changed from the Japan-market Mazda Capella with an 80 hp (60 kW) 2.0 L SOHC straight-4 F/MA engine and featuring a split-folding rear seat.
The coupe and sedan were mechanically identical with front MacPherson struts and a solid axle in back mounted on four links and riding on coil springs, either a 5-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission and recirculating ball steering.
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