Vancouver Province article on the 5

http://www.canada.com/vancouver/the....html?id=08eb2f23-4267-41c0-b060-83308e080937

The right 'car' at the right time
If you move lots of people, but a minivan uses too much gas, try the Mazda5

Bob McHugh
The Province


Wednesday, July 27, 2005


Timing is very important in the car business and, over the past few years, Mazda has done a fine job of having the right product at the right time.

Sometimes that means taking a gamble of something very new or an idea that may have failed in the past -- case in point the just released 2006 Mazda5, which is a bit of both.

Although Mazda prefer to call the Mazda5 a "Multi-Activity Vehicle," the micro-van idea has certainly been tried (and lost) before -- the late '80s/early '90s Nissan Axxess and Dodge Colt/Eagle Vista (made by Mitsubishi) come to mind right away.

On paper, the Mazda5 may not appear too different, but in person, it's a very different breed of car. And, yes, I do mean "car."

Fifteen years ago, the minivan craze was at full steam, the SUV was rapidly gaining market share and gasoline was relatively cheep.

With a start price of just $19,995, the '06 Mazda5 comes in at a price-point that's significantly lower than a conventional minivan and into a wagon-starved marketplace. Add to that the Mazda5's fuel-efficient drivetrain and car-like handling -- me think Mazda has another winner!

Based on the Mazda3, with which it also shares its drivetrain (Mazda3 GT) components, the Mazda5 packs a high level of functionality into a relatively compact exterior size. Unlike those older multi-activity-vehicles already mentioned, the Mazda5 was designed for six adults in three rows of two seats.

Even the third row has adult-size seating positions, and they are relatively easy to access.

In Europe, the original target market, and in Japan the first generation Mazda5 was sold as the Premacy.

The Europeans also tend to classify this type of vehicle as either a SpaceWagon or a SportsTourer, instead of a minivan.

Just two options and two trim levels of Mazda5 are offered in Canada.

A 4-speed automatic transmission with a manual-shift mode and air conditioning are the two options.

And both the base GS and upmarket GT trim levels come with the same engine, drivetrain, brakes and suspension.

Mazda expects 80 per cent of buyers will pick the GT trim. Here's why -- for an extra $2,800 the GT adds side and side-curtain air bags, an anti-theft system, a power sunroof, cruise control, fog lights, a 17-inch wheel/tire package, heated outside mirrors, a power latching system on the side sliding doors, a nifty fold-out table between the second-row seats, an audio upgrade and more.

Fully-loaded, with every factory option available, a Mazda5 is still less than $25,000.

INTERIOR FEATURES:

The first and second row seats are "bucket" type designs, with side supportive cushions and seatbacks, and the third row is a bench with a split-fold seatback. All seats are fixtures and not designed for easy removal, however, the second-row seats can slide fore/aft and when folded they align with a folded rear seat to create a flat cargo floor.

Other neat interior features include a tilt/telescopic steering wheel, storage boxes under the second-row seats and a fold-out table (in the GT) between the second-row seats.

TECHNICAL FEATURES:

The Mazda5's all-aluminum 2.3L 4-cylinder engine combines variable valve timing and variable air induction to produce up to 157-horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque. It has dual overhead camshafts that are driven by a (no maintenance) timing chain, instead of a timing belt.

Befitting its sporty character a 5-speed manual transmission is standard.

An improved synchromesh on first though fourth gears makes it a little smoother and easier to shift than its counterpart in the Mazda3.

The optional 4-speed automatic has a clutch-less manual mode.

Disc brakes on all four wheels are standard and it's governed by a four-sensor, three-channel anti-lock (ABS) system with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBFD).

Power steering assist is electro-hydraulic, which is also used in the Mazda3.

This is primarily a fuel-saving measure that uses an electric motor to drive the hydraulic steering pump.

SAFETY FEATURES:

Mazda claims to have already subjected the Mazda5 to a full range of impact tests that exceed crash-test requirements in Europe, Japan and North America.

Unique passive safety features include a brake pedal design that prevents the pedal from being pushed toward the driver and a steering column that collapses horizontally in a frontal impact.

A Triple-H structure is used to minimize the side impact intrusion challenge presented by the large sliding doors.

A reinforcing member in the front door (in addition to an impact beam) and large overlaps between the sliding doors and the body are additional measures designed to disperse side-impact energy.

Interesting active safety features for the Mazda5 include an Auto Light System that turns the vehicles exterior lights on and off automatically and a rain-sensitive auto windshield wiper system.

BUYERS:

Heading into uncharted territory with no direct competitors to gauge potential sales numbers presents a problem. How many Mazda5s should Mazda Canada tell the production plant in Hiroshima, Japan to build to Canadian specifications?

The target customer is primarily young families.

There are obvious advantages to having the added space of a tall van-like vehicle when you have to cope with young children, car seats and strollers etc.

Then again, extra space and extra seats are attractive virtues to a broad range of potential buyers.

Canada should get about 3,000 units for the '06 model year.

"We prefer to err of the conservative side," said Mazda's Greg Young, Director, Corporate Public Relations at local media gathering to launch the Mazda5.

"Our dealers are already telling us that it's too conservative."

And you can be sure that other auto manufacturers will also be keeping a very close eye on the Mazda5 sales numbers.

A successful year will indicate a potential new market trend and is sure to quickly bring the one-of-a-kind Mazda5 some competitive new companions.

Bob McHugh is the Senior Technical Advisor at BCAA.

- - -

THE SPECS: 2006 MAZDA5

Trim levels: GS and GT

Sticker Price: $19,995 - $22,795

Power: 2.3L DOHC, 157 hp, 16-valve, I4 EFI.

Transmission: 5-speed manual (4-speed auto option)

Fuel consumption: 10.6/8 L/100 km (city/highway)

Basic Warranty: 3 years/80,000 km

Powertrain Warranty: 5 years/100,000 km

Rust Warranty: 5 years /unlimited mileage

The competition:

None. Yet.

On the web: www.mazda.ca

The Province: www.driving.ca

B.C. Automobile Association: www.tsf-bcaa.com

... and here's the second article in the very same paper.

http://www.canada.com/vancouver/the....html?id=eeb261a2-e2e3-496e-bd6f-28f8cbda6b94

Mazda introduces the mini minivan
These European 'spacewagons' may be the new wave in people moving

Keith Morgan
The Province


Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Behold, in years to come the arrival of the brand new Mazda5 will be marked as the time when the floodgates were opened for micro-vans of all shapes and small sizes.

The "mini" minivans are nothing new in Europe, where they are known as space wagons, but credit where it is due, Mazda is the first to introduce one of the new wave of small people-movers to North America.

They are not the first such vehicles -- read Bob McHugh on Pages C4 and 5 to learn more about earlier models that didn't exactly set the market on fire.

However, the current market is just right for the six-seater 5.

Gas prices are soaring, Mazda is riding the crest of a wave -- a succession of fine products and families are looking for economical vehicles that will transport the whole dang family.

I actually owned one of the niche's trailblazers -- Vista Wagon -- and I loved it.

But the big bus-like family wagons pushed it out of the market.

The Mazda5 will re-create and sustain that niche, which will likely prompt its rivals to revamp and introduce its Euro micro-vans here.

THE LOOKS:

It's not a bad looking vehicle but the sloping-roofed, wedge-shaped, compact van is not particularly remarkable either in appearance.

Its low front nose gives it that familiar new, sporty Mazda look and the large air dam grille makes it distinctive.

At the rear, it's blunted and the rear lights are placed fashionably either side of the rear window as opposed to the lower traditional position above the bumper line.

Whatever your view of how pretty or not it is, few will disagree that what's really important is what's inside that matters most.

THE INSIDE:

Before we consider the functionality and comfort of the interior you have to get in there!

And nothing could be simpler.

The driver and passenger doors are unremarkable but the same can't be said of the large sliding rear access doors on both sides.

They open so easily that they wouldn't even challenge granny.

Another plus is they don't protrude too far from the body when open, thus you are not constantly banging cars parked in the next stall.

The low and wide step left by the open door provides easy access when loaded down with groceries. This was designed for weaklings and those used to arriving at the car loaded, ahem, I mean laden with boxes and bags.

The third row seats are each lowered with a tug on a tag, opening up a huge stowage area at the back.

The hinge on the sliding doors looks so much like a step that there is a warning on it informing all tempted to use it as such that it is not.

Methinks that may be one of the revisions in the next tinkering with the Mazda5.

The reality is that youngsters are indeed going to step on it and if they don't damage to themselves by falling off will undoubtedly weaken it and thus de-smooth the passage of the door!

The 5 is based on the very successful Mazda3 architecture, the smallest of the Japanese manufacturer's cars.

However, it is deceptively roomy inside.

Three rows of two seats guarantee no tight squeezes here.

Each row is raised slightly higher than the one in front making sure all can be seen and heard from the front.

A gap between the second row positions also provides ease of access to the back.

The back seats are child-only suited, whereas the second row is comfy for two full-sized adults.

If you are a grown-up and are dispatched to the distant rear getting out is not so hard, as one button lowers the seat back and shunts it forward for a quick exit.

Before we get to the look of the cockpit a little more on stowage: There are cupholders for all seat positions.

The front doors feature sculpted pockets with recessed spots that seem to be for (water) bottles? They're not much use for anything else.

The seats are comfy and supportive for big people with the exception of the third row, as mentioned earlier.

The instrument cluster and three gauges are all within easy reach and view.

Audio and cruise controls are in the steering wheel.

Other controls are within a finger's distance on stalks and chunky push button and easy dial knobs make heating adjustments a cinch.

SAFETY AND SECURITY:

Standard fare includes dual front air bags with additional dual front and rear side air bags on the GT version, anti-lock brake system (ABS), electronic brake force distribution (EBFD), remote keyless entry system with retractable key, welcome mode and panic alarm (includes two transmitters), engine immobilizer theft deterrent system (anti-theft alarm in GT).

THE DRIVE:

Here's another prediction: some of my brethren will say this vehicle is underpowered.

It seems many of my colleagues get the jitters when a multi-passenger vehicle has less than a V6 under the hood.

The 2.3-litre engine will not propel you antelope-like up the steepest of hills; gee, I even had to change down to fourth and even third on some grades.

If that worries you, go buy a minivan with a six and pay, pay, pay at the pump.

Fact is, this baby pulled along more than satisfactorily in the city and on the highway.

It may labour with six adults aboard but then it's not designed with such human cargo in mind.

Loved the smooth transmission: it's mounted just below the dash, a la Honda CRV. (A four-speed automatic is available).

Finally, the view of the road offered by the seating position and humongous windshield is, as they say in the brochures, commanding.

THE SCORE:

A must test drive for anybody torn between a station wagon and a mini-van. It will be interesting to see how the competition responds, 'cuz there ain't nothing like it yet.