Why is this 1999 Mazda Millenia considered a true collector’s gem today? It’s not just any Millenia; it’s the high-performance supercharged Millenia S with fewer than 27,000 miles on the odometer. This combination makes it an exceptional and increasingly scarce example of a luxury sedan from Mazda’s past.
Each Millenia S was powered by Mazda’s lesser-known but innovative engine: the supercharged KJ-ZEM V6. What sets this engine apart is its unique and unconventional combustion cycle, making it a noteworthy piece of automotive engineering history.
Specifically, the Millenia S was the first mass-produced vehicle to feature an engine operating on the Miller cycle. Unlike conventional Otto cycle engines, the Miller cycle engine maintains the intake valve open during part of the compression stroke, significantly boosting efficiency. This design results in lower compression ratios but offers improved fuel economy and reduced emissions.
To compensate for the reduced power typically associated with the Miller cycle, Mazda’s engineers equipped the engine with a Roots-style supercharger. This forced induction system boosts both power and torque, allowing the supercharged KJ-ZEM V6 to deliver 210 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. The combined fuel economy rating stands at an impressive 24 mpg (miles per gallon), which was notable for a performance-oriented luxury sedan in the late 1990s.
The engine’s 2.3-liter displacement is relatively small compared to many inline-4 engines of the era, yet it produces power comparable to larger engines. Interestingly, this displacement mirrors Mazda’s subsequent 2.3-liter MZR engines used in various naturally aspirated and turbocharged configurations in later models.
This particular 1999 Mazda Millenia S features a 4-speed automatic transmission — the only transmission option available at the time. It boasts a suite of luxury features, including a Bose sound system, power-adjustable seats, a plush leather interior, a power sunroof/moonroof, and an AM/FM/CD cassette radio combo.
Visually, this vehicle is striking in its Rainforest Green Mica exterior, complemented by a refined beige leather interior, accented with a brown dashboard and steering wheel. It stands as an excellent, low-mileage example of Mazda’s luxury sedan that’s increasingly rare to find on today’s roads.
The Millenia was born from Mazda’s ambitious development of Amati, a planned luxury brand that was ultimately canceled in the early 1990s. Rather than abandoning this high-end project, Mazda released the luxury sedan as the Millenia, alongside the Mazda Xedos 9 in Europe and the Eunos 800 in Japan, making it a unique piece of Mazda’s global strategy.
This 1999 Millenia S for sale is completely original, meticulously garage-kept, and even includes a custom-fit car cover designed specifically for this model. It also comes with original service manuals, receipts for recent tire replacements, and a new battery, emphasizing its well-maintained condition.
For a closer look at how the Mazda Millenia and its innovative Miller cycle engine were received upon its debut, watch the Motoring TV review video below. The review showcases the luxury sedan’s features and performance from its initial launch in the mid-1990s, providing insights into Mazda’s engineering ingenuity during that era.
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