October 8, 1999

Capella Series Facelifted with Sportier Characteristics

- New Interior and Exterior Features and Enhanced Driving Performance -

Mazda Motor Corporation announces the introduction of facelifted Capella Wagon and Sedan, compact station wagon and sedan, both of which go on sale from November 1 through Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealerships nationwide.

Mazda's brand personality is described as "Stylish," "Insightful," and "Spirited." To fully embody these characters, the new Capella series have been developed in line with Mazda's product philosophy: "Distinctive Design," "Exceptional Functionality," and "Responsive Handling and Performance."

Since its introduction in 1997, the current Capella series have been highly evaluated worldwide with its "Exceptional Functionality" offered by roomy interior and flexible seating arrangements, as well as its world-class safety features.

The revisions include an upgraded interior and exterior, the widened lineup of high-output engine models, and an "Activematic" transmission (automatic transmission with manual mode). These new features strengthen the "Distinctive Design" and "Responsive Handling and Performance" of the Capella series, making Mazda brand further distinctive.

Followings are major features of the facelifted Capella series:

1. Sportier atmosphere and enhanced quality thanks to redesigned exterior and interior.
2. Enhanced cabin comfort with a cabin air filter with aldehyde capture material and a large driver's side armrest with storage box.
3. Improved driving performance thanks to widened lineup of 2.0-liter high-output (170 ps) engine models, "Activematic" transmission (automatic transmission with manual mode), and refined suspension.
4. Advanced safety features, which includes DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system and standard equipments including the EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution) system and the brake assist system.

The monthly sales target for the new Capella Wagon is 2,200 units and 1,000 units for the new Capella Sedan.

Capella Sedan 1800 DOHC Gi

Capella Station Wagon 2000 DOHC SX

- Product Overview of the New Capella Series

1. Distinctive Design - Sporty Exterior and High-quality Interior -

   (1) Exterior
   The exterior has been refined with a sportier look in line with Mazda's design theme "Contrast in Harmony"

   - Newly-adopted Mazda's family face with the five-point grille.
   - Sportier styling with the redesigned bumpers, headlights, and rear combination lamps.
   - Bright aluminum-vaporized headlamps and rear combination lamps feature a higher-quality appearance.
   - The sporty grade models (Wagon's V-RX, S-RX and SX) feature aerodynamic accessories as standard equipment.

   (2)Interior
   Aiming at roominess and high quality, the interior has been redesigned to more bright and attractive one, by incorporating following items:

   - New two-tone color scheme for the instrument panel and trim.
   - New color for the wood panels and newly-adopted wooden treatment on floor console.
   - Redesigned meters and steering wheel.
   - Chrome-plated parts around the shift lever and the inside door handles, for a high-quality look.
   - Three options for the interior trim, "Casual," "Elegant," and "Sporty," to differentiate the concepts of each grade.
   

2. Exceptional Functionality -Enhanced Cabin Comfort and Functionality-
   Based on the high level of the cabin comfort and versatility of the current model, such as the upright package, flexible seat arrangement function, etc., the new Capella series provide further improved comfort and functionality.

   - An air filter with aldehyde capture material is newly added for enhanced cabin comfort (on Wagon's SX, S-RX, and V-RX; Sedan's Gi and Zi).
   - A large driver's side armrest with storage box which is convenient for storing items such as mobile phones. (Available on all models except the Ci sedan.)
   - Usability of the "Space Up Seat," when used as a table, has been improved by adding dimple pattern on the seat back panel to prevent slipping.
   

3. Responsive Handling and Performance -Refined Dynamic Performance and Fun to Drive-
   Based on an excellent handling stability of the current model, which is realized by the full-time 4WD system with viscous LSD, self-leveling suspension, etc., dynamic performance has been further refined. High-power engine, which is widely offered, also contributes to enhanced fun-to-drive.

   - 2.0-liter engine with high-output of 170 ps is newly offered to wider range of models.
   - "Activematic" transmission system, which provides enjoyable manual-like operation, is offered on the FWD models with 2.0-liter high-output engine
   - Increased rigidity of the front suspension and redesigned dampers result in improved handling stability.
   

4. World-class Safety Features -Enhanced Safety Features-
   In addition to world-class safety thanks to features such as highly rigid and safe body structure, Mazda Advanced Impact-energy Distribution and Absorption System, and side SRS airbag (*1) with head protection function, the new Capella series offer the following safety enhancements.

   - Optional DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system prevents skidding when cornering on slippery surfaces.
   - EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution) system, which ensures optimum braking even when the vehicle is full of passengers or loaded with cargo, is standard on all versions.
   - Brake assist, which increases braking force when the brake pedal is depressed only slightly and assists in braking during emergency stops, is standard on all versions.
   - The driver-side front window is equipped with an automatic reverse mechanism to prevent hands or other objects from becoming caught accidentally.
   - Rear passenger seats have three-point seatbelts on both sides that can also be used to secure a child seat.
   - The wiper deicer is offered to quickly improve forward visibility when the wipers are frozen.

   (*1)SRS: Supplemental Restraint System
   

- Suggested Retail Prices (Consumption Tax not included)
Station Wagon	(in thousand yen)

Drive Engine Grade Trans- mission Tokyo, Nagoya,Hiroshima, Osaka, Yamaguchi Sapporo Sendai Fukuoka FF 1800DOHC SV 5MT 1,710 1,737 1,729 1,719 EC-AT 1,798 1,825 1,817 1,807 2000DOHC High-output SE Active- matic 2,056 2,083 2,075 2,065 SX 2,241 2,268 2,260 2,250 4WD 2000 DOHC SE EC-AT 2,216 2,243 2,235 2,225 2000 DOHC High-output S-RX 2,487 2,514 2,506 2,496 V6 2500 DOHC V-RX 2,750 2,777 2,769 2,759

. . . . . * . . . . . . .

Sedan

(in thousand yen)

Drive Engine Grade Trans- mission Tokyo, Nagoya,Hiroshima, Osaka, Yamaguchi Sapporo Sendai Fukuoka FF 1800DOHC Ci 5MT 1,611 1,638 1,630 1,620 EC-AT 1,699 1,726 1,718 1,708 Li 5MT 1,692 1,719 1,711 1,701 EC-AT 1,780 1,807 1,799 1,789 Gi 5MT 1,827 1,854 1,846 1,836 EC-AT 1,915 1,942 1,934 1,924 2000 DOHC High-output Zi Active- matic 2,049 2,076 2,068 2,058 4WD 2000DOHC Fi EC-AT 2,071 2,098 2,090 2,080

. . . . . . . * . . . .

	*	Side SRS airbag with head protection function is standard on V-RX, S-RX, and SX of Wagon and the Zi sedan. It is also available as a manufacturer's option on all other versions (at an additional cost of 30,000 yen).
	*	Additional cost of cold region specification for Wagon SV and Ci sedan: 15,000 yen. All other versions are already equipped with cold region specifications.
	*	Asterisk (*) indicates the models shown in photo