He should have arrived in Group A

Mazda has long participated in sports programs during the 80s and 90s to build its brand image. Between Rally and Endurance, the Japanese brand achieved very good results, at the expense of expensive mass production. Here is one of them that was ultimately not released: Familia Sport-4.

During the 80s and 90s, sports were an important communication vector for many producers. In order to exist in the market, it was necessary to produce a sports model or one launched in a successful competitive formula. Mazda was not yet the impressive brand it is today in Europe. It was absolutely necessary to go through the box” Competitions » take advantage of these exhibitions around the world. It is in this context that Mazda is working on the Familia (or 323, here), the compact in the range.

The 323 learned to be angry

Mazda released the first draft of the sports family, the GT in 1989. With a 140 hp 1.6 4-cylinder engine, the GT offered respectable performance on the road. Its 0 to 100 was achieved in 9 seconds and the top speed was 200 km/h. The GTX got a 163 hp 4-cylinder 1.8 Turbo and could reach a top speed of 215 km/h.

The first attempt that allows a good launch towards serious things for the next generation, from 1989. Mazda wants to continue its march, started with the RX-7. The Japanese manufacturer has already entered 323 in Rallying since 1987, with the victory of Timo Salonen at the wheel. But participating in group A, we need to make a more powerful version.

The 323 GTR was released in 1992 and it shows itself as the last 323, given 2,200 copies. Full body kit, 4 wheel drive transmission and 185 hp engine are in the program. 323 GTR medium aside in the category of Group N vehicles, thanks to its distinctive and extended front shield. The Japanese will have the right to a decatalyzed version, giving up 210 chapters.

And yet, the Japanese company was working on a more aggressive model, even before the release of the GTR.

323 induced by hormones

This last family is considered the unicorn of model fans: here is the Mazda Familia Sport-4. Designed to go straight into Group A, the granddaddy of the WRC, the Sport-4 was more impressive on the road. His full body kitpart extended wingspart big long rowand its amazingly fine you almost make the GTR look like a weak muscle car. The car is has decreased by 65 mm and hangs on new 17-inch white rims.

The most amazing part of the maxi-Family is at the back. Its spoiler seems to be “fixed” on the entire rear trunk. According to Mazda, the spoiler does not fully attach to the Sport-4’s trunk for aerodynamic reasons. It is enough to visually recall the Lancia Delta S4, according to Japanese engineers. That’s all!

Under the hood, the 1.8 4 cylinder officially develops 220 hp and is linked to a 5-speed gearbox. It is said that inside, the block can take up to 350 hp in sports configuration, to better match the power requirements of the new Group A.

Unfortunately, Mazda left Rallying in 1992. The Japanese manufacturer was unable to invest in Endurance and Rallying. A choice had to be made, and the 787B’s victory in 1991 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans helped make the decision. The development of the Maxi-Family was thus halted mid-flight, relegating it to the level of an urban legend.