Mazda Bongo

Mazda Bongo
Manufacturer:	Mazda
Production period:	1966 – today
Previous model:	none
Successor:	none

The Mazda Bongo is a pickup truck / minibus / chassis manufactured by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Mazda since 1966 . The longer and larger versions of the bongo were called Mazda Bongo Browny . Between 1978 and 2001 the Bongo and Browny were also available as Mazda E-series in Europe . The 2nd generation of the Bongo was also built by the then cooperation partner Kia Motors as the Kia Besta and Ford marketed it as the Ford Econovan from 1983 . Since the 3rd generation, the Bongo has also been marketed by Nissan as the Nissan Vanette Largo . Since the fourth generation, also from Mitsubishi Motors as Mitsubishi Delica . The Browny Truck was replaced by the Mazda Titan Dash in 2001 . The last generation of the Browny was also offered by Mitsubishi Motors as Mitsubishi Delica Cargo .

Mazda E 2000

The Mazda E 2000 was introduced as early as 1964 . This was a flatbed truck (automobile) with a payload of 2 tons that had an 81 HP (60 kW) 2.0 l petrol engine with 1985 cm³. This provided the basis for the Bongo minibus / panel van introduced in 1966. In 1971 the Mazda Titan replaced the E 2000.

Bongo F800 / F1000 1966-1977

Bongo F
Bongo F
Production period:	1966-1977
Designs:	Flatbed trucks , panel vans , minibuses
Engines:	Gasoline engines : 0.78–1.0 liters
Length:	3770 mm
Width:	1500 mm
Height:	1700 mm
Wheelbase:	2000 mm

The Bongo, launched in 1966, had a four-cylinder four-stroke engine with 782 cc, which was installed in the rear and powered the rear wheels. The car was produced as the F800 and from 1968 with a 1.0-liter R4 engine also as the F1000 . It kept its body shape throughout its production time; the later models were only equipped with seat belts that rolled up automatically and separate front parking and indicator lights. The rear-engined bongos had the same chassis as the Mazda 1000 , but the engine was flanged to the rear axle differential. Because of their low gear ratio, they were very powerful and had a payload of 1 t. Due to rust problems and poor maintenance, rear-engined bongos have become rare today. In addition to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the Nordic countries , the first generation was also imported into other smaller European markets. The curb weight is given as 775–910 kg.

Bongo BA 2 1977-1983

Bongo BA 2
Bongo BA 2
Production period:	1977-1983
Designs:	Flatbed trucks , panel vans , minibuses
Engines:	Otto engines : 1.3–1.8 liters Diesel engine : 2.2 liters
Length:	3995-4455 mm
Width:	1620 mm
Height:	1850-1990 mm
Wheelbase:	2155 mm

E1600

In September 1977 the production of the Bongo II started, which now had a mid-engine . In 1978 the Bongo began to be exported to all of Europe and was offered in Germany as E1300 , E1400 or E1600 , depending on the engine until 1984. In February 1979 a 2.2 L diesel engine was available for the first time.

Kia Bongo

From 1980 the then Mazda partner Kia Motors built the Bongo BA as Kia Bongo .

Mazda Bongo truck BA 2

Bongo SE 1983-1999

Bongo SE
Bongo J80 (1984)
Production period:	1983-1999
Designs:	Flatbed trucks , panel vans , minibuses
Engines:	Petrol engines : 1.5–2.0 liters Diesel engines : 2.0–2.2 liters
Length:	4230-4475 mm
Width:	1630-1690 mm
Height:	1835-1980 mm
Wheelbase:	2220 mm

The SE type started in September 1983. It was a little longer now. The standard equipment was expanded to include electric windows and power steering . The van model now featured air conditioning and heating in the passenger compartment as standard. The curb weight is given as 1280–1780 kg.

The J80 type was not offered in Europe. Here the bongo was offered as a Ford Econovan . The E series sold in Europe from 1984 onwards corresponded to the Mazda Bongo Browny SR type.

• From November 1984 four-wheel drive was optionally available in conjunction with the 1.8-liter petrol engine. Front disc brakes were now standard.
• In November 1986 a minor external facelift followed with the introduction of a 2-liter gasoline engine.
• From September 1987 the diesel engine was also available as a 4WD model and rear window wipers were now standard on all models.
• In January 1989 a 2-liter turbodiesel was added to the range.
• From June 1996, the performance of the 2-liter turbo diesel was increased by means of a charge air cooler . The 1.5 liter engine was omitted.

Ford Econovan

The panel van / minibus versions of the SE and, until 2005, the Bongo SK were also sold as the Ford Econovan .

Nissan Vanette Largo

From April 1994 the Bongo SE was also sold as Nissan Vanette Largo .

Mazda Bongo Friendee

From June 1995 the van models replace the Mazda Bongo Friendee .

Kia Besta

The panel van / minibus versions of the SE were produced by Mazda cooperation partner Kia Motors as Kia Besta from 1985 to 1999. With a 2.2 L diesel engine with 48 kW / 65 HP, the model was also offered in Europe between 1995 and 1999 .

• 

  Bongo facelift

• 

  Kia Besta

• 

  Nissan Vanette Largo S20 truck

SK 82 / SKF 82 since 1999

Bongo SK 82 / SKF 82
Bongo SK 82
Production period:	1999 – today
Designs:	Flatbed trucks , panel vans , minibuses
Engines:	Petrol engines : 1.8–2.0 liters Diesel engines : 1.8–2.2 liters
Length:	4295-4335 mm
Width:	1690 mm
Height:	1865-1910 mm
Wheelbase:	2220 mm

Production of the Bongo SK started in June 1999. It is a heavily revised SE platform. Despite some similarities with the predecessor, other body parts are installed, mainly to improve crash safety . The curb weight of the wagons is given as 1360–1600 kg.

The platform truck model has been known as SKF ever since. The 1.8-liter petrol and 2.2-liter diesel engines have been improved in terms of performance and exhaust emissions. Initially, depending on the model, the driver's airbag and anti-lock braking system were optional or standard. Automatic transmission and all-wheel drive were also optionally available again.

• In December 2003 the diesel engines were switched to common rail injection and the output of the 1.8 liter petrol engine was increased again to a maximum output of 95 hp. Driver airbags and ABS have been included in all models since then.
• In August 2007, diesel particulate filters were introduced to meet environmental standards. Electric window lifters and central locking were now standard in the truck models as well.
• A revision took place in August 2010. The 1.8-liter petrol engine used in the Mazda MX-5 in Europe replaced the previous 1.8-liter engine. A large center armrest and better materials improved comfort. The loading height sank to 45 mm, electric exterior mirrors and passenger airbag have also been part of the standard equipment since then.

Mitsubishi Delica

In addition to the Nissan Vanette Largo S21, the Bongo SK has also been built as a Mitsubishi Delica since 2009 .

• 

  Nissan Vanette Largo S21

• 

  Mitsubishi Delica

Mazda Bongo Browny SD / SR / Mazda E-Series 1983-2001

Bongo Browny SD / SR
Browny SR
Production period:	1983-2001
Designs:	Flatbed trucks , panel vans , minibuses
Engines:	Petrol engines : 1.8–2.0 liters Diesel engines : 2.0–2.5 liters
Length:	4385-4590 mm
Width:	1690 mm
Height:	1970-1980 mm
Wheelbase:	2400 mm

In June 1983 the Mazda Bongo Browny series was presented. It was a longer, wider and taller version of the Bongo SE. As with the Bongo, panel vans / minibuses (SD) and truck versions, platform trucks (automobiles) and chassis (SR) were available. The Bongo Browny was exported to Europe from 1984 as Mazda E 1800, E 2000 and E 2200, depending on the engine size. The 1.8-liter petrol and 2.2-liter diesel engines were only installed for the European market. The curb weight of the wagons is given as 1350–1640 kg.

• In 1985 the Browny models with optional all-wheel drive were also available.
• In 1987 there was a facelift with a revision of the front of the SD types. The 2-liter diesel now had a turbocharger and direct injection . Three-point seat belts and rear window wipers were now included as standard.
• Another small facelift followed in 1990 with central locking as standard on the SD models.
• In 1997 there was another facelift with a comprehensive revision of the interior and exterior. A 2.5-liter diesel engine with direct injection was added to the range. The SR type was no longer offered in Europe.
• The production of the series ended in 2001 and the truck platform truck and chassis models called Browny Truck SR were replaced by the Mazda Titan Dash , while the SD models received a successor on the domestic market in 1999.

The Mazda E-Series, which was exported to Europe until 2001, did not have a successor in Western Europe.

• 

  Mazda E series 1987

• 

  Mazda E-Series Facelift Version 1997

Mazda Bongo Browny SKE / Mitsubishi Delica Cargo 1999–2010

Bongo Browny SKE / SKF
Browny SKE
Production period:	1999-2010
Designs:	Panel van , minibus
Engines:	Petrol engine : 2.0 liters Diesel engines : 2.0–2.5 liters
Length:	4690 mm
Width:	1695 mm
Height:	1980 mm
Wheelbase:	2600 mm

Mitsubishi Delica Cargo

In June 1999, parallel to the Bongo SK series, the Bongo Browny models based on the SK series were presented as SKE panel vans / minibuses. It was the largest and longest bongo variant ever built. The 2-liter petrol engine and the 2.0 and 2.5-liter diesel engines with direct injection took over the drive. The curb weight is given as 1590–3090 kg. Mitsubishi Motors marketed the model as Mitsubishi Delica Cargo . In export, the Bongo SK was again offered as a Mazda E-series, but not in Western Europe.

• In December 2004 the 2.0-liter diesel was switched to common rail injection with turbo.
• In August 2010, parallel to the facelift of the Bongo SK, production of the Bongo Brawny was discontinued after 27 years.

Trivia

• A first generation Mazda Bongo was used in the movie Mad Max . It was director George Miller's personal company car , but he had it sacrificed for a crash scene in order to keep the budget low.
• The Brawny and Friendee bongo models (as well as the identically constructed Ford Freda ) are often mentioned on websites as a joke about car names.

Web links

Commons : Mazda E-Series / Bongo  - Collection of Images, Videos and Audio Files

Commons : Mazda Bongo Brawny  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• South Coast Bongo Club on Webjam (unofficial fansite, English)
• British official fan site (English)
• Technical information and specifications (English)
• Bongo Brawny (English)
• Mazda E Series Brochure 1988 (English)