Friendee is a modern, high-spirited and very comfortable minivan from a Japanese manufacturer that has long established itself as a supplier of really high-quality cars. The main distinguishing feature of the Mazda Bongo Frendi is the optimal height of the cabin and the availability of special all-wheel drive models.

The car enjoys well-deserved popularity and confidently holds the leading position in the ranking of the best commercial vehicles.

Mazda Bongo Brawny specifications

Mazda Bongo Frendi is equipped with a universal engine and has the following technical parameters:

• length - 4.23 m;
• width - 1.63 m;
• height - 1.97 m;
• luggage compartment volume - 1995 cm3;
• clearance - 18 cm;
• wheelbase - 2.22 m;
• rear track - 1.37 m;
• front track - 1.425 m;
• power - 82 hp;
• weight - 1310 kg;
• fuel tank volume - 48 l;
• fuel consumption - 25 l / 100 km.

This made it possible to provide a reduced center of gravity, and therefore increase the comfort of handling. Separately, it should be said that such a solution makes it difficult to enter the salon, and therefore complicates the process of engine maintenance.

The car has good ground clearance, and therefore Mazda Bongo Frendi is not afraid of rural or not very high-quality roads. It is worth saying that the spare parts of this car are quite interchangeable with parts Mazda MPV, and therefore it is possible to make repairs quickly and easily in any conditions.

Brief history and description of Mazda Bongo Brawny

Mazda Bongo Brawny appeared to replace the Brawny Van and Brawny Wagon, which were registered in 1983. The Mazda Bongo Brownie in the third generation eventually appeared before the buyer as a car for personal use.

The new model of this car received increased dimensions and was included in the category of monocabs. Inside, 6 adult passengers can comfortably fit. The interior of the car of the highest category and does have 3 rows of seats, and therefore the number of seats reaches nine. In addition, a 4-cylinder petrol engine with a volume of 2 liters or a 2-liter turbo diesel was installed here. The cars were also equipped with a four- or five-speed automatic transmission.

In Japan, Mazda Bongo Brawny was launched in 2000. The car is distinguished by a long tunnel that separates the front seats, where there is an automatic transmission, coasters for glasses and a box for storing small items in the center. The basic equipment consists of the following equipment: 2 airbags, audio system, power steering, four-speed automatic transmission. If desired, you can install a central lock, air conditioning, electric mirrors and windows.
Cars with rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are distinguished by excellent spaciousness. If we talk about design, then there is nothing remarkable here - just a van with slightly beveled windows, and the body looks like a box with comfortable sliding doors.

To date, you can see 7 variants of the Mazda Bongo Brawny body, and each has its own name and its own equipment. The most popular option is a salon with three rows of seats. To be fair, consumers liked the six-seat model. After all, it was very reminiscent of a small mobile home.

Structural Mazda Bongo Brownie

Mazda Bongo Friendee is available in petrol and diesel versions. The main engine is a gasoline engine with three valves per cylinder of 2 liters and a power of 105 hp. You can choose a 2.5-liter six-cylinder engine with 160 hp. Modern Mazda Bongo Brawny models are available with a six-speed automatic transmission.

The suspension in the car is responsible for high stability and confident movement. A spring is additionally installed on the rear suspension, which allows it to be made in the form of a multi-link system, and the front suspension is mounted on McPherson struts. Anti-roll bars are installed on each axle, however, when they are dismantled, the behavior of the car does not change in any way.

Throughout its existence, the Mazda Bongo has undergone numerous updates and improvements to all components, assemblies and elements. This also applies to the engine itself. Initially, the car was produced with a 0.8 liter engine, and today 2.5 liter power units have already been installed here.

The most popular cars with two types of engines:

• 2.5 liter turbodiesel;
• gasoline for 2 liters.

Mazda Bongo with a turbo diesel is most common in European countries, however, Russian car owners also choose such models if they prefer diesel fuel.

Many buyers note that the 2.2 liter engine is distinguished by power and throttle response. Regardless of whether the car is loaded or not, Mazda Bongo boasts good acceleration and high maneuverability. The fuel consumption of this model is 7 liters when driving on the highway and 10 liters - moving in urban conditions.

The most common equipment option is a car with a diesel engine. It is he who is considered the best and there are reasons for this:

1. If we talk about gasoline engines, then the 2 liter engine is not very fast, but the 2.5 liter boasts an excellent ride. But on the other hand, fuel consumption amazes even the most non-greedy driver. In urban conditions, this is 10 liters per 100 km.
2. A distinctive feature of the engine is throttle response and maximum thoughtfulness. It is worth noting its high efficiency, as well as the high power of the power unit.
3. A huge plus of this engine is that all-wheel drive is mounted in tandem with it.

The main characteristics of the motor:

• type - turbocharged diesel;
• volume - 2400 cm3;
• location type - in a row;
• power - 120 hp

Mazda Bongo Brawny Friendee versatile car

All owners of this supercar speak with one voice about the excellent comfort parameters while driving. This is mainly due to the auto suspension, since the front end has MacPherson struts at its base. Rear suspension - multi-link and spring system.

The car feels great on highways. In order to reduce vulnerability to crosswinds, low-mounted tires are provided on the rear axle. To achieve maximum comfort, each car is equipped with an ABS system.

Mazda Bongo Friendee is a minivan from a Japanese manufacturer that is intended for official use and is classified as an enterprise class car. It is based on the Mazda MPV platform, but there are differences from this car - all-wheel drive and cabin height. This car was discontinued in 2005.

The Mazda Bongo car is made using a half-hood scheme, and the engine itself is located between the front seats. This decision made it possible to obtain high stability and excellent handling when compared with the Mazda MPV. In addition, everyone praises the rear strut with an additional spring, which turns it into a multi-link system, and McPherson struts are installed on the front.

Note! Lower tires are installed on the rear axle than on the front, which ensures the stability of the car when driving on highways. All brake mechanisms are ventilated and disc, and the ABS system on the Mazda Bongo Friend is standard.

The car of this model is represented by one diesel and two gasoline engines. The two-liter gasoline engine is made single-shaft, where the main feature is three valves per cylinder. The maximum power of such an engine is 105 hp. if we talk about a 2.5-liter six-cylinder engine, then four camshafts are worth noting here.

The maximum motor power is 160 hp. Each of the four cylinders has three valves. All cars produced before 1999 had a power of 125 hp. In addition, there was a mechanical control. After that, the car received more power - up to 130 hp, which became possible after replacing the unit with an electronically controlled one.

All diesel models have all-wheel drive. The rear axle, under simple conditions on the road, acts as a leading one, and in the event of its slippage, the viscous coupling begins to transfer up to 50% of traction to the front wheels. All models produced before 1999 are equipped with a five-speed manual gearbox. After that, the manufacturer started producing cars with only a four-speed automatic transmission.

Salon Mazda Bongo Frendi is presented in five versions. Two of them have eight seats - three rows of seats, where one of the options is presented with common skids of the second and third rows of seats. In addition, there are such variations as a salon for seven seats, for six, where there is a shower, a refrigerator, a kitchen and sockets with a voltage of 100V, as well as a salon with two rows of 5 seats for passenger and cargo transportation.

Mazda Bongo Frendi was produced with a unique serial AutoFreeTop body, which is recognized as the only one of its kind. Here the roof turns into a double tent using a modern electric drive. This feature is the main "chip" of this car from the Japanese manufacturer. Speaking in the language of numbers, more than 170 thousand copies have been released to date.

Heritage Mazda Bongo Brownie

Mazda Bongo Brownie in a modern eight-seater modification of the cabin enjoys well-deserved popularity and high demand. The two extreme rows of car seats are mounted on skids of a classic design, which allows them to move along the entire length of the body. There are also special modifications that differ from standard models, since the rear seats located here are very easy to recline to the sides of the Mazda Bongo Brownie.

In addition, the advantage of this model is a perfectly flat surface, which is obtained by folding all the seats. These trucks are great for cargo transportation. If you remove the second row of seats, you can get a small but very comfortable camper.

Mazda Bongo Brownie is a real assistant in matters related to commerce. Here you can not only transport passengers, but also transport goods. The car perfectly adapts to Russian weather and road conditions, and therefore the Mazda Bongo Brownie can be safely called practical and as versatile as possible.

The basic equipment of the model includes everything necessary for a safe and comfortable stay in the car for both the driver and his passengers. In more detail, the interior is ergonomic. High-quality finishing materials are used here. It is worth noting a variety of compartments for small items, a modern air conditioning system, an audio system, power windows and power steering. The active and passive safety package includes an anti-lock braking system, emergency brake assist and front airbags.

The build quality of the Mazda Bongo Brownie exceeds all expectations. There are no significant downsides here. In general, we can safely say that the manufacturer made sure that there were fewer “childhood” diseases in the car.

Mazda Bongo Friendee owners - reviews

If you study in detail the numerous reviews about the Mazda Bongo Brownie, then not everything is as cloudless as it might seem. Of course, there are a lot of advantages and pluses, but here you can find some flaws that look a little strange for Japanese manufacturers.

Consider the 4 most interesting reviews for a complete understanding of the true nature of this car:

1. Mazda Bongo 2.2 L 1999 release. Not one serious breakdown over the years of intensive use. From the global — once there was a rush of wire to the injection pump. Since the driver spends a lot of time in the car, it was decided to install a second stove and replace the standard radio. A temperature sensor and a tachometer were installed, as well as enlarged wheels and xenon reversing lights and fog lights.
2. Mazda Bongo 2 L 1994 release. The ideal square shape is discouraging at first sight. Annoying weak engine, but pleases roomy interior. Of the main problems that had to be faced, the following can be distinguished - looseness of the suspension and a crack in the engine head. It is worth noting the stiffness of the suspension, which is reliable. Torsion bars are installed in front, and springs on the rear. In the cabin, you can fold the rear row of seats, thereby increasing the luggage compartment. You can also simply turn the seats to face each other. The passenger seat on the front row does not move, but on the driver's seat all the necessary adjustments are provided, including lumbar support. The steering wheel is adjustable in tilt, but in the lower position it covers the instruments.
3. Mazda Bongo 2.2 L 1997 release. Over the years of operation, in addition to the necessary list of maintenance, the following work was carried out - the replacement of the lower ball bearings, silent blocks on the springs and on the front suspension. In addition, work was carried out to improve comfort - the level of sound and heat insulation was increased, additional seats were installed, a modern audio system was installed, additional signals were finalized and regular lamps in the headlights were replaced. Quite acceptable fuel consumption is 7-10 liters per 100 km on the highway, and 10 liters per 100 km in urban conditions. I was pleased with the high level of protection of components and assemblies along the bottom of the car, the suspension of medium hardness and the excellent maneuverability of the car when entering turns, even at high speeds.
4. Mazda Bongo 2.5 L 2000 release. Having small dimensions, the interior differs simply by excellent spaciousness. The rear seats fold down and so you can fit a lot here. The machine is characterized by high maneuverability and large eversion of the wheels. The engine is a little noisy, the interior material is not of the highest quality. Suspension is slightly stiff, but almost not killed. This model is ideal for daily cargo and passenger transportation.

To summarize all of the above, we can safely say that the car really turned out to be quite good. Numerous points have been thought out here, and the flaw in the interior design can be attributed to the fact that the car was originally conceived precisely as a vehicle for commercial purposes. Spare parts for Mazda Bongo are available both in terms of assortment and price. If the car owner decides to purchase this car, then he understands that this unkillable and very reliable supercar will last more than one year without losing its agility. A confident and slightly daring character will certainly captivate after a couple of dozen kilometers, and cornering at high speeds gives the driver a sense of security and increased comfort while driving.

Of course, before buying a used car, it is necessary to carefully study its technical characteristics and study its condition in detail in order to avoid additional investments and exclude the occurrence of serious breakdowns.

In 1995, the production of the Mazda Bongo Friendee minivan started. It is known as Mazda Access in some markets. It is an improved version of the Mazda Bongo Brawny, becoming its successor. The car is based on the SG platform. The cabin has three rows of seats that can accommodate eight passengers. In the camping versions, only five or six seats are installed. For the convenience of boarding passengers, the minivan is equipped with a sliding side door.

The rear rows of seats are mounted on slides, allowing you to adjust their position and the distance between the rows with maximum comfort for all passengers. If necessary, the rear rows of seats can be folded down or completely removed to free up space for transporting bulky items. The seats of the third row fold together, and the second - separately.

In 1999, the model was restyled, during which electric shutters, air conditioning or climate control were installed in the base. Electric control of the high pressure fuel pump became available on all cars. The release of the first generation ended in 2001. Another family car, the Ford Freda, was created on the basis of the minivan.

Mazda Bongo Frendi was produced with the following engine options: 2.0 liter (105 hp) and 2.5 liter (160 hp) petrol engines, as well as 2.5 liter diesel engines with two power options: 125 and 130 hp. In the Japanese market, the 2.5-liter turbodiesel was especially popular. The car is distinguished by an unusual location of the engine - under the front seats. Fuel consumption on diesel modifications in the combined cycle is 5.9 - 6.0 liters. Petrol versions of the minivan consume 11.9 - 12.2 liters. The volume of the fuel tank is 65 liters.

Modifications of Mazda Bongo Frendi differ not only in engine volumes, but also in dimensions. The standard dimensions of the car are as follows: length - 4620 mm, width - 1690 mm, height - 1960 mm. There are shorter (4585mm) and taller (2090mm) versions. The wheelbase of all modifications is identical - 2920 mm. Clearance - 175 mm.

The versions of the minivan also differ in purpose. Eight-seater modifications are designed to carry passengers, and Auto Free Top versions have a pop-up roof, under which a two-person tent is located, allowing it to be used as a motorhome. The six-seat Camper modification was equipped with a shower, refrigerator and kitchen furniture.

The undercarriage of the car includes a suspension strut at the front and a five-link suspension at the rear, equipped with stabilizers. In some modifications, a limited slip differential is installed. Brakes minivan Mazda Bongo Friendee disc, ventilated.

A minivan was produced with rear and all-wheel drive. Two types of transmission were available - a four-speed automatic and a five-speed manual.

The Mazda Bongo Frendi minivan was produced in the trim levels City Runner, RS-V, RF-V, Limited, Aero. The RF-V version includes power steering, power side mirrors, tilt steering, power windows, child seat anchors, door stiffeners, dual-zone climate control and a cassette player. A driver's airbag is available as an option.

The base Aero package includes front fog lamps, UV protection glass, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and front airbags.

The City Runner version is equipped with anti-lock braking system (ABS) and air conditioning instead of climate control. In some configurations of the minivan, a sunroof, a Mazda Telematics traffic warning system and a navigation system are available.

Interesting Facts About Mazda Bongo Friend

Mazda Bongo Friendee #8211; this is a minivan presented by the Japanese concern Mazda, the Mazda bongo friend is intended for official use and belongs to the corporate class. Made on the Mazda MPV platform, but differs from this model in the presence of all-wheel drive versions and interior height. The model was discontinued in 2005. In the summer of 1995, release began for the Land of the Rising Sun. friendee. At the heart of the car is the platform of the first generation Mazda MPV with its suspension, transmission and range of engines. But the Mazda bongo friend has a different package and belongs to a completely different category.

Options Mazda Bongo Frendi

The basic equipment of a Mazda Bongo car includes an audio system, two airbags, an automatic 4-speed gearbox, a hydraulic booster, and on request, electric mirrors and windows, central locking and air conditioning are installed in friendee. The Mazda Bongo car is made according to the semi-bonnet scheme, the friendee's engine is located between the front seats. The result is better stability and handling compared to the Mazda MPV.

axle and suspension

The Mazda bongo friend suspension contributes to good stability and a high level of movement. The friendee rear strut is supplemented with a spring and is made multi-link, and the front strut is made on McPherson struts (an independent suspension used on the front axle of the car). Anti-roll bars are installed on both axles, but when they are removed, the behavior of the friendee on the road practically does not change. The rear axle of the car is shod#8221; the tires are lower than the front, so the minivan behaves quite stably on highways. All brake mechanisms are ventilated, disc brakes are made, ABS on the Mazda Bongo Friend is standard.

friendee design

The friendee car is equipped with one diesel and two petrol engines. A two-liter FE-E gasoline engine is made single-shaft, its main and most important feature is the presence of three valves per cylinder. The maximum engine power is one hundred and five horsepower. The presence of four camshafts is distinguished by a six-cylinder V-shaped J5-DE with an engine displacement of two and a half liters.

The maximum engine power is 160 horsepower. Each cylinder of the 4-cylinder turbodiesel WT-L has three valves. Until 1999, the Mazda Bongo engine had a power of 125 horsepower, and it had mechanical control, then the power was raised to 130 horsepower, replacing the unit with an electronically controlled one. All-wheel drive was available on friendee variants with a diesel engine. The rear axle of the Mazda Bongo in normal road conditions is the leading one, and when it slips, the viscous coupling has the ability to transfer up to about 50 percent of the thrust to the front wheels. Until 1999, minivans were produced with a five-speed manual transmission, and then the only available was a four-speed automatic transmission.

Salon options

Salon Mazda bongo friend was performed in five versions: two have eight seats (three rows of seats, in one of the options common skids had the second and third rows of seats), a seven-seater, six-seater Camper (the model had a shower, a refrigerator, a kitchen unit and 110 V sockets) and with two rows of seats a five-seater passenger-and-freight.

Mazda Bongo cars were produced with the world's only serial unique AFT (AutoFreeTop) body, the roof of which can be turned into a double tent with the help of an electric drive. This is the main feature of the Japanese car Mazda bongo friend.

167,433 Mazda Bongos left the assembly line of the Mazda concern.

The Mazda Bongo Friendee is a modern "home" comfortable minivan from the well-known Japanese popular concern of the same name. Initially, the truck was produced on the platform of a standard Mazda MPV bonnet car from the first generation. These models differed from all others by the optimal height of the cabin and the presence of special all-wheel drive options.

Features of the car by design

Mazda Bongo Friendee is equipped with a pair of modern gasoline engines and a diesel-powered device. The main one here is a 2-liter functional gasoline quality single-shaft common engine of the FE-E category, which is equipped with three valves per cylinder. The device works with power indicators of 105 hp. There is a V-shaped high-quality 6-cylinder J5-DE engine, the volume of which is 2.5 liters and has four durable camshafts. The maximum power level reaches 160 hp. And another engine is an in-line 4-cylinder, category WL-T and a total volume of approximately 2.5 liters.

Four-wheel drive was typical of earlier models that ran on diesel engines. Recently, vehicles equipped with a gearbox and a 4-speed automatic transmission have begun to be produced.

External design features

Rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles differ in capacity. According to the design decision, the car is nothing unusual. This is a simple van with slightly beveled auto glass, and the body itself is a box with convenient sliding doors.

Since the production of the car, 7 variants of the minivan body have been produced. Each of them had its own individual body name, as well as various additional high-quality equipment. The most popular was the option with three rows of comfortable seats installed inside the comfortable cabin. At one time, there was a special six-seater model and modification, which, in fact, was a small but comfortable mobile house. Such facilities have a kitchen unit, a small shower, a refrigerator, and even 110-watt sockets. The concern also released special passenger-and-freight models.

The unique body of the serial production of this design deserves special attention. It was specially created for the Mazda Bongo Friendee brand and is called AFT or auto free top. A feature of this design is that the roof, if necessary, can be raised using a special electric drive. As a result of such manipulations, it was possible to obtain a double tent on wheels. It also provides all the necessary life support elements, due to which it was possible to live in this car with relative comfort.

Specifications

Speaking about the characteristics of a car, it can be noted that Mazda Bongo Frendi, in addition to universal engines, is characterized by the following properties. Among the most important indicators, one can note such technical characteristics as:

Despite the fact that the car has a hood, the standard power unit is located in the cabin directly under the seats in front. As a result, the car has a lower center of gravity, which has a positive effect on comfortable handling. Its presence in this place makes it difficult to enter the cabin, which automatically complicates the process of servicing the installed engine. The vehicle has a clearance of approximately 175 cm, it can be used without problems to move along country rural, not very high-quality roads.

Important! The advantage of the car is the fact that the spare parts of the car are fully interchangeable with the Mazda MPV vehicle. All this facilitates repairs in difficult field conditions.

It is worth reading the description of additional functions and options. The company placed a common set of items in Mazda cars. This is a pair of airbags, power steering for convenience, climate control, two-season air conditioning or climate control.

High levels of comfort

All drivers who have been operating this car for a long time note high levels of comfort while driving. For the most part, this is based on the auto-suspension installed. The front end is based on a MacPherson strut design feature. The rear suspension is categorized as multi-link and coil spring. Both axles contain special anti-roll bars. It is worth noting that even if these suspensions break down, ride comfort does not decrease.

The car overcomes high-speed routes quite stably. To reduce compliance with wind blowing from the side, the rear axle is equipped with low-lying tires. Without exception, all mechanisms of the brake system are produced in a special carefully ventilated disc form factor. To ensure the highest level of comfort, each minivan of this manufacturer includes a modern system of the ABS category.

Conclusion

Mazda Bongo in its 8-seat improved interior modification is in the greatest demand and popularity. The car seats of the two extreme rows are installed on standard skids and tend to move along the entire length of the body. There are special modifications that differ from conventional models in that the rear seats can effectively recline to the sides of the vehicle.

Another rather important advantage of these modifications is a completely flat surface along the line, which is obtained by folding the seats of all rows. These trucks are ideal for transporting various devices, and if you completely remove the second row of seats, you can equip a comfortable mobile home.