This Autumn, the all-new Mazda 5 will debut in showrooms across Europe as successor to Mazda’s first-generation compact multi-activity vehicle (C-MAV).
The original model was popular with families looking for superior functionality in a compact and safe package. Since market launch in 2007, Mazda 5 has attracted 500,000 owners worldwide, 175,000 of them in Europe. It has also won 37 automotive awards, and has consistently been voted one of Europe’s most reliable and safe small MPVs – an important attribute for a family vehicle.
The all-new Mazda 5 was developed from the ground up to carry forward this successful tradition with an appealing combination of great exterior styling, superior safety, and interior functionality that exceeds what people expect of a vehicle in this segment.
Mazda’s all-new people-carrier integrates the brand´s new family face that not only makes it stronger-looking and sporty, but also improves aerodynamics and engine-cooling performance. The five-point grille is much larger, the lower bumper much more sculptured, and the new headlamps more pointed. Below these are new pointed fog lamp openings embedded deeply in the bumper. This creates a thick lower lip that rises along the outer edge of the fascia and into the fender. The fender picks-up the movement created by the fog lamp edge, carries it over the wheel well to meet a wave-like Nagare-flow character line that moves across the side of the vehicle and into the rear panel just below the door-slide rail.
This unique side panel articulation is based on patterns formed when wind blows on water. It integrates the front side bumper area with the sides and backs of the vehicle so that, when combined with the character line at the lower door area, there is a sense of motion even when the vehicle is standing still. The ‘hidden’ D-pillar – formed by covering it with glass – and horizontal rear lamps enhance the integrated flow effect front-to-back, and make the all-new Mazda 5 exterior both unique to the C-MAV segment and unmistakably a Mazda.
New Nagare-flow aluminium alloy wheel designs (16-inch and 17-inch) are introduced with twisted spokes, which give them a sporty three-dimensionality that contributes to the flow patterns of the new Mazda5’s silhouette. Depending on market, a 15-inch steel wheel with a full wheel cover is also available. There are eight exterior colours for customers to choose from, including an all-new colour Clear Water Blue.
A new dashboard design is introduced on the all-new Mazda 5 that makes the front cabin area seem larger than before, and gives the interior high levels of sportiness and style. The driver’s instrument-cluster hood, for instance, is now pointed and it flows in an arch to form the outer edge of the centre stack for an integrated look of quality. The new instrument cluster has white illumination, and a large information display is located at the top of the centre stack, which has a new frameless, open-triangle shape that integrates it into the dashboard, and an all-new audio/control panel design with chrome plating on the knobs. Chrome plating is also new for the gear shift knob, the air-conditioning air vents, and door handles. The meter rings, shift gate panel, door trim and the dial switches on the centre panel are finished in high-quality matte silver.
Two sliding rear doors, a 130 mm-wide step just 439 mm above the ground, and one of the segment’s largest rear door openings (686 mm wide, 1,083 mm high) give easy access to the Mazda5 interior, even for somebody holding a child in their arms. The electric rear doors can be opened automatically with the remote central-locking key or with a button on the dashboard, or manually using the handles on the doors. The driver benefits from an optimised bonnet shape and incremental seat adjustment for a wider field of vision, which makes for safer city driving and ensures that parking is much easier. And of course, the steering wheel is both tilt and telescopic adjustable.
Instrumentation and controls have been optimised to be easy and intuitive to use. Between the two main instruments a new gear shift indicator that shows the ‘current gear’ and notifies the driver to change to the most suitable gear according to driving conditions – for optimal fuel consumption and smooth performance. The centre stack’s audio control buttons – for changing disc/category, folder and file/track – are located at the centre of the audio panel and set-off by a chrome moulding for easy operation. Knobs have high-quality chrome edging, and the buttons are grouped according to their function so that they can easily be recognized and operated while driving.
The all-new Mazda 5 cabin offers one of the most generous second and third row leg rooms in the C-MAV segment. The second row seat backrests can be adjusted to a maximum recline angle of 50º for just the right seating position, and they can be slide-adjusted over a range of 270 mm. The raised floor toward the rear of the cabin is designed to give occupants of the second and third rows a clear view ahead and diagonally, so that travelling is more enjoyable than in a flat-floor vehicle. There are wider front seatbacks for both driver and passenger. The front of the second row centre seat cushion is 50 mm thicker and its seatback extended downward by 50 mm, which makes this seat more comfortable. The air vents for the all-new Mazda 5 are mounted higher than on the previous generation, which improves comfort in the cabin on both cold and hot days.
The cabin is now quieter and more comfortable at higher speeds. Wind noise has been reduced, for instance, by designing the crescent-shaped contour at the back of the bonnet so air flows smoothly here without hitting the windshield wipers or their arms directly. The shapes of the new A-pillars reduce air turbulence and wind noise from this source.
The all-new Mazda 5 makes all this practicality and comfort even more appealing with a long and generous list of standard and optional equipment. For example, the Mazda 5 can be equipped with an affordable navigation system with features like a large 14.7 cm touch screen monitor, hands-free Bluetooth® audio control with external microphone, integrated CD player + radio, and includes iPod, iPhone and MP3 CD capability. Its 4 GB memory allows 99 percent coverage of Europe, including Russia, using the latest maps in a choice of 18 European languages.
The standard equipment package features power-adjustable side mirrors, manual air-conditioning, driver seat height adjustment, power windows front and back with one-touch driver window operation, power door locks, safety touch sensor for electric sliding doors, six airbags, four-channel ABS, electric brake-force distribution (EBD), brake assist, Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), traction control (TCS) and DSC. Also standard are an AUX jack (that allows you to play MP3 players using the car’s audio system), and a new four speaker audio system with digital signal processor (DSP) technology that reduces unwanted radio noise, and double tuner (exclusively for Europe) that ensures clear radio reception almost everywhere.
Available options include - rear parking sensors, seat heating, an in-dash 6 CD changer, a FIX-EQ audio system that automatically optimises sound characteristics according to the interior space, Bluetooth® audio functionality that plays MP3 players cordless, a Bluetooth® telephone system with voice recognition and upgraded steering wheel control, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and Xenon headlamps – among many other features.
Mazda’s new MZR 2.0 DISI petrol produces maximum power of 110kW/150 PS at 6,200 rpm and 191 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm, delivering a top speed of 194 km/h (120 mph) for plenty of driving fun.
The engine also features Mazda’s stop/start system, i-stop, which saves fuel by switching the engine off when the car is stopped at a traffic light or in a traffic jam, and then automatically restarting it when the driver depresses the clutch pedal to resume driving. Mazda i-stop is unique because it employs a ‘combustion + starter motor-assist’ system that uses engine combustion to restart the engine, rather than just an electric starter motor like conventional stop/start systems. This system initiates restart in just 0.35 seconds, which is nearly twice as fast as conventional stop-start systems, and makes it safe, reliable and smoother.
For the all-new Mazda 5, the i-stop control logic was further evolved, and the system now shuts the engine off for a longer time when A/C is on, making sure that all auxiliary systems and equipment continue to operate normally during the engine shut-off phase. This means cabin occupants do not suffer any loss of comfort or convenience due to the system.
As a result of combining DISI technology with i-stop, the new Mazda 5 is lively and fun to drive, while using just 6.9-litres of fuel per 100 km (40.9 mpg) combined, which is a reduction of 13 percent and producing only 159 g/km of CO2 – 15 percent less than the same-displacement engine it replaces.
An updated version of the popular MZR 1.8 petrol engine remains in the engine line-up of the new Mazda 5. It adopts an electric control throttle valve for reduced fuel consumption and enhanced performance feel. It employs an aluminium-alloy cylinder block, with lightweight pistons and connecting rods for low vibration and a linear driving feel. This engine produces 85 kW/115ps of power at 5,300 rpm and 165 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. It is newly mated to the six-speed manual transmission with a higher top gear ratio, which helps to lower fuel consumption by 4 percent (7.2 litres per 100 km / 39.2 mpg combined), and CO2 emissions by 6 percent (168 g/km) while complying with Euro 5.
Moving the air-intake ducts to the shroud section helps reduce the temperature of intake air and delivers an improvement in fuel efficiency. Improving engine cooling by extending the width of the radiator by 25 mm allows the cooling fans to run slower and with a lower frequency. Optimization of intelligent throttle valve control and the knock limit control system help to lower fuel consumption.
The new front end design of the Mazda 5 not only sets it apart from other compact MPVs, it also contributes to an aerodynamic performance that is unusually good for a C-MAV. A new front lip spoiler, a flat engine bay undercover and front tyre deflectors, work together to channel air under the vehicle more efficiently, which helps to cut fuel consumption. The design of the vehicle is also optimised to improve lift balance at the front and back. These measures give the all-new Mazda5 a drag coefficient of just Cd 0.30, one of the lowest in the C-MAV segment.
The all-new Mazda 5 will be launched globally with Mazda’s Brake Override System. This new system always prioritizes the brake pedal over the accelerator pedal should both be engaged simultaneously, allowing the vehicle to be brought to a safe stop.
The all-new Mazda 5 features an evolution of the outstanding safety package that made the current Mazda 5 one of Europe´s safest MPVs. To achieve this, safety engineers further evolved the Mazda Geometric Motion Absorption (MAGMA) system to create a new bodyshell with strong Triple-H structures in the floor, sides and roof; then added additional body reinforcements to make it even better at absorbing impact energy in rear-world accidents.
The new Mazda 5 is also safer in the event of a rear-end impact, where the strengthened bodyshell is better at absorbing energy and protecting the fuel tank. The panels surrounding the fuel tank are made of high tensile steel in two plates each with a different thickness, and the frame members are straighter and have an optimized cross-section.
On the inside, passengers are protected by a passive safety package with six airbags (front, side and curtain), three-point seat belts with pretensioners and load-limiters at the front seats, a collapsible brake pedal and horizontal movement type shock absorbing steering column, a seat design and head restraints that help reduce whiplash during in the event of a rear impact, ISO-FIX child safety seat anchors and tethers in second row, and soft, impact-absorbing interior surfaces.
Using the new Mazda 5’s two electric sliding back doors is now even safer with the first-time installation of a touch-sensor strip that runs the length of the door. If sufficient force is applied to the strip by a person’s body or some other object and causes the strip to deform even slightly, the sliding door stops instantly, reverses direction and returns to the open position. Mazda’s new people-carrier is also safer and easier to use in city driving with the introduction of a park-assist system as standard. It uses four sensors in the rear bumper that continuously measure the distance to any object when parking in reverse gear and alerts the driver to its proximity.
The brake system of the all-new Mazda 5 was developed to contribute superior deceleration and – when combined with suspension, steering and body updates that deliver a more linear steering feel – to contribute to more predictability and superior feeling of control.
For more information on the all new Mazda 5 call Mazda Darlington on freephone 0800 980 4532 or Mazda Durham on freephone 0800 980 4535