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Just how significantly differâ€" ent the 1993 version of the 626 has become is viewing it beside a 1992. The wedge, threeâ€"box look suddenly seems so dated. The 626 comes in three modâ€" els with a choice of two engines. There is the bottomâ€"rung LX folâ€" lowed by the midâ€"range DX which I had for a week. At the top is the ES which is loaded with options as standard includâ€" ing the 164 hp, 2.5â€"litre V6 it shares with the topline Mystere LS. The other engine is a 2.0â€" liter, 16â€"valve inline fourâ€"cylinâ€" der producing 118 hp and 127 torques. Transmission choices include a fourâ€"speed automatic With Tom Matano (now on board at Mazda‘s Irvine, Calif., design studio) "organic‘ styling is being tempered with splashes of Euroâ€"California influence. Matano worked on the new 3â€" Series BMW before applying his hand to the sister car to the Cronos. the MXâ€"6 Mystere. Mazda makes no bones about the 626 being formed in the image of 929, and why not? Particularly from the rear, the new 626 has that Jaguarâ€"esque curve to the rounded rump which another autowriter has described as looking like a full diaper. a wide hip line closing to a rounded tail caught everyone by surprise. Mazda couldn‘t make enough of them. With the 929 and the MXâ€"3, the stylists used the same hip line (at least I think they did) in creating cars which are generally agreed to be about as pretty (929) or as attractive (MXâ€"3) as they come. The previous 929 and 626 in particular carried don‘tâ€"rockâ€"theâ€" boat Japanese styling which was never bad, just nondescript. In Japan white is the favorite color by far. Imagine trying to find your white 626 in a sea of thouâ€" sands of other similarly painted Nissans and Toyotas in the parkâ€" ing lot outside the Sumo champiâ€" onships! The Mazda renaissance started with the perky, little Miata. Rounded, pugnacious lines with Mazda Cronos makes a stylish statement But styling was never important with Mazda as it become today. Lastly, Mazda has unveiled the MXâ€"6 Mystere and the new 626 which will be called the Cronos in Canada as it is in Japan. A lot of people became happy and loyal Mazda owners thanks to the 626. It was soundly built with high quality materials/engiâ€" neering plus it came with the Mazda warranty, at the time, a leader in the industry. We had the new MXâ€"3 Precidia followed swiftly by the awesome RXâ€"7 twin turbo which has elevated itself to the supercar ranks. The first was the second genâ€" eration version of the 929 luxury sedan clothed in the lithe new lines all flowing from the firm‘s decision to incorporate organic styling with open arms. By JIM ROBINSON Special to the Beaver introducing vehicles. he people at Mazda Canada have been very busy in the past year no less than five new a S as However, full marks for the layout and legibility of the instrument cluster. The mark of a good set of gauges is how quickâ€" ly you can glance down and see how fast you‘re going as you drive through a radar trap. With the 626, 1 immediately knew 1 was in the "safe" area. The seats are better than ever before. This is something I noticed in the Mystere as well. The DX interior trim was up to Mazda‘s usual standards. In keeping with the organic flow concept, the interior is sculpted to make room wherever possible. This means a lot of plastics are used. On the DX it was tolerable, but on the LX it might be someâ€" thing you have learn to live with. or a fiveâ€"speed manual. I asked Mazda for a DX with the four, fiveâ€"speed and some of the options most people living in this area would want, such as power windows and locks, cruise, a halfâ€"decent stereo, and air conditioning. 0 0 o o 0 o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o FU e e o o e Mazda has done a lot of work on designing very stiff unibody chassis which depend on comâ€" puter aided design suspensions. Ride at boulevard speeds is calm and relaxed; but there‘s a lot of sport built in this frontdrive car if vou want to have some fun on a tWiIStY rO# 1993 Mazda Cronos With full adjust, anyone can be comfortably seated. The back seats are also very roomy thanks to the cabin forward design. The rear seats split 60/40 giving access to a surprisingly roomy trunk. The 2.0â€"litre engine is a willâ€" ing performer. The closeâ€"ratio fiveâ€"speed reminded me so much of the Miata‘s. Shifts are quick and clean, and you don‘t have to look down to see if you‘re pickâ€" ing the right gear during downâ€" shifting. I couldn‘t help wonder how this car, although much smaller, was styled on the 929 but has significantly more trunk room than its big brother. Prices start at $16,995 for a very basic DX. The LX equipped as this week‘s test car starts at $19,500 and came equipped with $1,500 worth of options such as power sunroof, power locks and $19,500 and cam 1500 worts of options such as . has certainly reach en w ada ho Dh W ho MVE Mss sTOCK! FREE! REFRESHMENTS FACTORY INVOICES AVAILABLE FOR VERIFICATION AT TIME OF SALF windows. The ES, without leather, is priced at $24,645. On the plus side is mileage. Transport Canada reports the four returns 6.6L/100 km on the highway and 9.4L/100 km in the city. I only had to fill the tank twice in a week, not bad when it takes me 160 km just to get to and back from work. I think people will like the style of this car. In one of those new pearlescent blues, reaction from other motorists was certainâ€" ly positive. Mazda Canada says the new 626 Cronos is aimed at the "conâ€" temporary" family seeking a car which makes a style statement while being affordable to operâ€" ate.