http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/news/driving/story.html?id=08eb2f23-4267-41c0-b060-83308e080937The 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.
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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.caThe Province:
www.driving.caB.C. Automobile Association:
www.tsf-bcaa.com
