It’s time to add a new car name to your vocabulary, to impress your friends: Kia Capital. Roshake77 shot this one in Hungary, one of the countries Kia targeted back in the 1990s as part of their rapid global expansion.
Presumably it looks familiar, once you get past the front end. If not, its back end will, for sure.
A Mazda 626 (Capella) obviously. Mazda and Kia had a pretty serious tie-up back in the day, which resulted in the Ford Festiva in the US, a Kia-built Mazda 121. This is its big brother, built in Korea starting in April 1987, one month before the next generation (GD/GV) debuted in Japan. Sound like the body dies might very well have made their way to Korea, although the timeline might be a bit tight for that. Oh, and it was called Kia Concord at that time, and was a two liter sedan, initially available in a 99 hp carburated version, and later in a zippier 139 hp DOHC form.
The Capital arrived two years later (1989) as a lower cost variant, featuring a 1.5 L form the smaller Familia/323 range. This was done for the significant tax advantages in Korea, and possibly in some other markets. Engine outputs were 80 and 95 hp, and in 1990, a DOHC version with 115 hp joined the capital party. Perfect for all those newly-minted Eastern European capitalists.
Both the Concord and Capital were replaced in 1995/1996 with Kia’s first new self-developed sedan, the Credos.
Kia’s convoluted history never fails to surprise and amaze.
Mazda’s 626 was one of the more attractive mid-sized designs of the early 80s. Better looking than the original Camry, and concurrent Accord. More modern appearing than GM’s A bodies. At the time, I liked the light flaring of the wheel arches, for a unique look. Though they did look cleaner with their blackout treatment of the greenhouse trim. Mazda’s handling of the nose and taillights was better as well, than this busier example. The coupe and 5-door hatch versions being especially nice designs.
Still remember when I bought this Import Car of the Year issue of Motor Trend.
Wow, I didnt know about that kia expansion program, makes sense though. Couldnt have been too many sold though, because this was the only one of these cars ive seen so far (also some kia prides now that i think of it).
Also i think you meant Hungary instead of Budapest in the first paragraph.
Btw I also have shots of the european version of the Credos, the Clarus:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194423918@N03/51897078076/in/photolist-2mR46By-2n4ZPvr-2n4Y6fd-2neGZGU-2mWmqh4-2neGZKQ-2neEmRV
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194423918@N03/51897415359/in/photolist-2mR46By-2n4ZPvr-2n4Y6fd-2neGZGU-2mWmqh4-2neGZKQ-2neEmRV
I wonder how much it would have been if they’d sold it in North America. Interesting.
Interesting. With the headline and the pics, before I read the text, I was trying to work out a Japanese connection, because of the Japanese-style protruding side turn signal repeater built into the parking light outboard of the headlamp.
Mazdas turn up in other companies lineups more than you think Nissan,Honda, Ford, Kia all used Mazdas either complete or just bodies.
I’m aware of badge jobs with Ford and Kia, but which Honda and Nissan models were sourced from Mazda? (I’m not saying you’re wrong; I’m just curious)
The most recent version of the Toyota Yaris sold in the US and Canada was a rebadged Mazda2.
These were apparently built through 1996 with similar interiors too. This generation of Mazdas were amongst their best, had a great feature set, and would have still been competitive a decade later at a lower price.