Mazda 929 HD

The story

The 929 was meant to anchor Amati, the luxury brand Mazda planned to launch against Lexus and Infiniti, and its engineering shows that ambition. The 3.0-liter V6 sits behind the front axle for near-even weight distribution, every corner rides on multi-link suspension, and the frameless windows of the pillarless 4-door body give it a clean, unbroken profile. Options ran to a sunroof whose solar cells powered fans to cool the parked cabin, and cars for Japan and Hong Kong could steer their rear wheels, against the fronts at low speed and with them on the highway.

Its 195 hp V6 favored a broad, easy spread of torque over a high-rpm peak, and the car's best trait was a calm, quiet composure over long distances. The American version was tuned softer and went without traction control. When Japan's economy faltered, Amati was canceled before it opened, and the 929 was left sharing showrooms with 626s, offering none of the pampering Lexus buyers had come to expect. Sales faded, and in 1995 the front-drive Millenia took its place. Owners who kept theirs report remarkable durability, and still get asked what it is.