Efini MS-8
Encyclopedia
The Efini MS-8 was a luxury car produced by Mazda
and sold through the Efini marque from March 1992 through 1995. The car is a replacement to the Mazda Persona
and Eunos 300.
Just like the Persona is based on the 1987-1991 Mazda Capella
, the MS-8 is based on the 1991-1997 Mazda Cronos
(Mazda 626). The MS-8 is a hardtop
-style, stylish sedan in the vein of the Toyota Carina ED
, Nissan Presea
, Honda Vigor, and Mitsubishi Emeraude. Unlike the Carina ED or the Persona, however, the MS-8's body has a B-pillar that is much thicker below the beltline than it is above. Doing so allows the bodyshell more rigidity while still maintaining an airy cabin. Such a B-pillar means that the front seatbelts must be installed below the belt line. It appears through the lining of the rear door, and is routed through a guide built into the front headrests.
The MS-8's interior design has several unique features. The car is only fitted with a 4-automatic gearbox, and the gear shifter is mounted on the dashboard next to the air-conditioning controls. Doing so eliminates the floor console between the front seats, and allows for a front bench seat. The display for climate control and factory-equipped audio is located atop the dashboard, in a thin slit right before the windshield defroster. The sunroof
is very large for its day, extending all the way above the rear seat footwell.
Following the 1991 Efini RX-7, the MS-8 is also available with the Bose Acoustic Wave Guide audio system, a compact subwoofer design.
Four-wheel steering is an extra-cost option. Like the system on the Mazda Sentia
, it is designed to minimize turn radius at town speeds, and improve stability at highway speed.
Production for the MS-8 ceased when Mazda's multi-brand strategy failed in Japan, and the company suffered financial difficulties.
Mazda
is a Japanese automotive manufacturer based in Fuchū, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.In 2007, Mazda produced almost 1.3 million vehicles for global sales...
and sold through the Efini marque from March 1992 through 1995. The car is a replacement to the Mazda Persona
Mazda Persona
The Mazda Persona was a mid-sized front wheel drive sedan sold in Japan in the late 1980s. It used Mazda's MA platform and was replaced by the Efini MS-8 in March 1993....
and Eunos 300.
Just like the Persona is based on the 1987-1991 Mazda Capella
Mazda Capella
The second generation rear-wheel drive Capella was available between 1978 and 1982, in both sedan and coupe forms. It was known on export markets as the Mazda 626, with the exception of the United Kingdom, where it was called the Mazda Montrose, the name was changed to honour the local Mazda...
, the MS-8 is based on the 1991-1997 Mazda Cronos
Mazda Cronos
Mazda used the Cronos name in Japan from 1991 until 1995 for a redesign of the Mazda Capella. This vehicle platform was sold in the United States as the Mazda 626 during the same period. In Japan, the station wagon variant of the older-generation GD Capella remained in production...
(Mazda 626). The MS-8 is a hardtop
Hardtop
A hardtop is a term for a rigid, rather than canvas, automobile roof. It has been used in several contexts: detachable hardtops, retractable hardtop roofs, and the so-called pillarless hardtop body style....
-style, stylish sedan in the vein of the Toyota Carina ED
Toyota Carina ED
The Toyota Carina ED was a Japanese compact car created in 1985 as a companion to the 1984 Carina sedan. It was positioned as the 4-door Celica, with a similar focus on luxury found on the Corona EXiV. Its design sought to emulate the hardtop styling of large American sedans, resulting in a small,...
, Nissan Presea
Nissan Presea
The Nissan Presea was a compact car, produced for the Asian market from 1990 to 2000. It competed with entry level luxury 4-door hardtop sedans that were popular in Japan during the '90s, notably the Toyota Carina ED, Toyota Corona EXiV, Subaru Legacy, Mazda MS-8, Honda Vigor sedan, and the...
, Honda Vigor, and Mitsubishi Emeraude. Unlike the Carina ED or the Persona, however, the MS-8's body has a B-pillar that is much thicker below the beltline than it is above. Doing so allows the bodyshell more rigidity while still maintaining an airy cabin. Such a B-pillar means that the front seatbelts must be installed below the belt line. It appears through the lining of the rear door, and is routed through a guide built into the front headrests.
The MS-8's interior design has several unique features. The car is only fitted with a 4-automatic gearbox, and the gear shifter is mounted on the dashboard next to the air-conditioning controls. Doing so eliminates the floor console between the front seats, and allows for a front bench seat. The display for climate control and factory-equipped audio is located atop the dashboard, in a thin slit right before the windshield defroster. The sunroof
Sunroof
An automotive sunroof is a fixed or operable opening in an automobile roof which allows light and/or fresh air to enter the passenger compartment. Sunroofs may be manually operated or motor driven, and are available in many shapes, sizes and styles...
is very large for its day, extending all the way above the rear seat footwell.
Following the 1991 Efini RX-7, the MS-8 is also available with the Bose Acoustic Wave Guide audio system, a compact subwoofer design.
Four-wheel steering is an extra-cost option. Like the system on the Mazda Sentia
Mazda Sentia
The Mazda Sentia is a large rear wheel drive luxury car sold in Japan in the 1990s. It replaced the Mazda Luce nameplate on the Mazda H platform cars for Japan in 1991 and was retired in 1999 after two generations.-1991:...
, it is designed to minimize turn radius at town speeds, and improve stability at highway speed.
Production for the MS-8 ceased when Mazda's multi-brand strategy failed in Japan, and the company suffered financial difficulties.