Mazda 323 Familia

Fourth generation BD

Also called	Mazda 323 Mazda GLC Ford Laser
Production	1980–1984 1984–1986 (Colombia)
Assembly	Hiroshima, Japan Hofu, Japan Bogotá, Colombia
Body style	3-door hatchback 4-door sedan 5-door hatchback
Layout	FF layout
Engine	1.1 L E1 I4 1.3 L E3 I4 1.5 L E5 I4
Related	Ford Laser Ford Meteor

The BD Familia, first shown on 2 June 1980, was entirely new – it was Mazda's first front-engine, front-wheel drive subcompact car. It was available as a hatchback and sedan. It was developed with input from Ford, which in 1979 had acquired a stake in the Japanese manufacturer, and had a twin called the Ford Laser (and Ford Meteor, for its four-door model in Australia). The new Mazda E engine-series, loosely based on the preceding PC/TC/UC series, was developed expressly for the BD and was offered in three different displacements. The smallest 1.1-liter E1 unit was reserved for certain export markets where the tax structures suited it. Chassis codes were BD1011/BD1031/BD1051 depending on the engine installed.

For the Japanese market other top end models were offered, originally the three-door Familia XGI with a 1,500 cc single cam, multi-point fuel-injected engine. In June 1983 the turbocharged XGI Turbo was added, Mazda's first turbocharged piston engine. It had a particularly small turbocharger, for better low-end response. Period commentators complimented its linear and smooth power delivery. The XG Turbo also received a suitably updated chassis and wheels to handle the 115 metric horsepower (85 kW).The Familia sedan and their twin, the Ford Laser S, was also offered with the same specifications but in limited numbers. Claimed outputs in the Japanese market were considerably higher than in export countries, due to the of the differing JIS standard rather than DIN. Period sources suggest subtracting ten percent from the JIS numbers.

This particular Familia was a strong comeback for Mazda in the Japanese market, even outselling the Toyota Corolla on several occasions. The four-door sedan was equipped with a reverse-rake front grille and lights in the Japanese market, to make it appear more "senior". The same front design was used for the GA/GB Ford Meteor.

The 1980 Familia/323 was the first front-engine, front-wheel-drive vehicle from Mazda since the R130. This generation of 323 was Wheels magazine's Car of the Year for 1980. The existing station wagon version, simply a facelifted version of the previous rear-drive model (fitted with the square headlights and grille from the new model), was sold in parallel with the BD. The wagon was available with either three or five doors and was equipped either with the old 1,272 cc TC engine or the 1,415 cc UC. The 1.4 was replaced from 1983 with the newly developed 1,490 cc E5 engine. The TC 1.3 produces 60 PS (44 kW) while the larger versions offer 70 PS (51 kW). By 1985, the old 1.3 was replaced by the 1,296 cc E3 engine with 68 PS (50 kW); it was only available with the three-door estate body.

The equivalent American GLC appeared in 1981. It was only offered with a single engine (the twin-barrel 1.5 litre) and lasted through 1985, after which it was replaced by the next-generation Mazda 323. With this, the GLC nameplate was retired. The BD was the only front-wheel drive Mazda vehicle using the GLC name.

Engines:

• 1.1 L (1,071 cc) E1, 1 barrel, 55 PS (40 kW; 54 hp) / 79 N·m (58 lb·ft)
• 1.3 L (1,296 cc) E3, 2 barrel, 68 PS (50 kW; 67 hp) / 95 N·m (70 lb·ft)
• 1.5 L (1,490 cc) E5, 2 barrel, 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp) / 115 N·m (85 lb·ft)
• 1.5 L (1,490 cc) E5S, 2x2 barrel, 88 PS (65 kW; 87 hp) / 120 N·m (89 lb·ft)

The most powerful version was marketed as the "323 GT" in European markets. The Familia/323 underwent a facelift in January 1983.