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The Mazda Sentia is a large rear wheel drive luxury car that was sold by Mazda in Japan from 1991 to 1999 over two generations. It replaced the Mazda Luce nameplate on the Mazda H platform. The name "sentia" is derived from the Latin word "sentir", meaning to sense, feel or hear. When the Sentia was cancelled by Mazda, Kia continued its production in South Korea as the Kia Enterprise. == 1991 == Shortly after the release of the fourth-generation Mazda Luce HC in 1986 (1987 in some markets), development began on a successor. Design work took place under chief designer Shunji Tanaka, who began to consider a more unconventional approach in early 1988. On December 24, 1988, a final design by Dori Regev was approved and subsequently frozen in 1989 for 1991 production, with prototype testing commencing in 1990. The Sentia had been developed with the future Mazda flagship, the Amati 1000 in mind. Anticipating that the Amati would take over the role of formal-use vehicles (i.e. chauffeur-driven transport for executives) in the product line, the first Sentia is considerably geared towards private owners in its focus. This is very evident in its Jaguar-inspired stance, relatively low roofline, as well as using more of its dimensions for styling as opposed to improving interior space. When the Sentia was introduced in Japan, it was also sold at Mazda's short-lived exclusive luxury channel as the ɛ̃fini MS-9 as a higher content luxury sedan, with optional items on the Sentia as standard on the MS-9. The Sentia was the largest Mazda sold during this era, and came with a 3.0 L V6 engine, setting the Sentia as the top level flagship of Mazda. The width dimension has particular significance in Japan, due to dimension regulations, where Japanese consumers pay an additional annual tax for larger vehicles. The Sentia was marketed by Mazda as having a "front midship" layout: the V6 engine sits behind the front axle, while the fuel tank rests above the rear axle. The implementation of the engine installation behind the front axle showed technology earlier used by Mazda in its rotary-engine powered products, primarily the Mazda RX-7 and the Mazda Cosmo. To showcase Mazda's advanced technology prowess, this iteration of the Sentia also debuted Mazda's speed-sensitive four-wheel steering system. At speeds of lower than , the rear wheels steer in an opposite (toe out) direction from the front wheels, in order to reduce the turn radius. At higher speeds they steer in the toe in direction to improve stability. Solar ventilation system is a setup where amorphous solar cells in the sunroof panel powers small ventilation fans located in the trunk area, in order to cool the cabin while the car's parked in the sun. This setup would later be found on the Eunos800/Millenia. Two engines were available. Both having their roots in prior Mazda V6s, and have no relation to the aluminum KL series found in the Capella-platformed Mazdas. The 3-liter JE-ZE received a new variable intake manifold to boost its power rating to . The 2.5-liter J5-DE was also available, rated at . Two different engine displacements were offered in Japan so as to give buyers a choice between which annual road tax obligation they were willing to pay. The bigger engine was substantially better equipped with luxury features and conveniences for choosing the larger engine. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Mazda Sentia」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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