European Mazda 5 Facelift: In Detail

Press Release

Product Details

The original Mazda5 introduced new attributes to the compact multi-activity vehicle (C-MAV) segment in Europe in 2005, with the segment’s only double sliding doors and innovative Karakuri seating and storage system, a comfortable and communicative interior and Zoom-Zoom handling and driving fun. Since launch, more than 275,000 units have been manufactured (through November 2007). Mazda5 is the company’s thirdbest-selling vehicle globally. In Europe, Mazda5 quickly became a product essential to Mazda Motor Europe’s continuing growth, with more than 100,000 units ?nding owners since launch (through October 2007), and taking an estimated 3.3 percent share of the important C-MAV segment. The new Mazda5 facelift is set to continue this success with a refreshed design, a new automatic transmission, more individualised Sports Appearance Package, a more sophisticated interior ?nish, more comfort and convenience, new suspension settings for optimised handling, improved fuel economy and lower CO 2 emissions.

Design – Refreshed Looks and a more aggressive Sports Appearance Package

The European C-MAV segment is not renowned for products with eye-catching designs. In 2005, Mazda5 bucked this trend by introducing a stylish, sportier exterior that stood out in the crowd of look-alike mini-vans – with a dynamic wedge-shaped form, strong front end and arched roofline, and a rear end tapered slightly inward. Now the Mazda5 facelift enhances the vehicle’s unique image even further with fresh updates to its strong design and a Sports Appearance Package that is even sportier and more distinctive than before.

Mazda5 facelift has a design that targets customers looking for a balanced exterior that hints at the vehicle’s fun-to- drive character. It features a new front bumper design that makes the car look lower and sleeker, a new underspoiler for a touch of performance, and a larger integrated housing for the front fog lamps that gives the nose a powerful look. The headlamps have a new silver bezel design and a new textural finish at the edges for a look of high quality. These frame a more clearly-defined Mazda five-point grille with a new sporty-looking honeycomb mesh. Auto-levelling xenon headlamps are available as option. At the back, the standard version has new rear combination lamps that are vertically divided for a fresh, two-colour effect.

A Sports Appearance Package is also available, and designed to appeal to Europeans looking for a dynamic compact MAV in a sporty suit of clothes. It features an updated winged grille design, a new front bumper design with front spoiler (making the vehicle 10 mm longer than the previous Sports Appearance Package version and 60 mm longer than the regular Mazda5 facelift) and pointed fog lamp housings for a more aggressive road presence compared to the regular version. The silhouette is also sportier with side sills that make the car appear lower and a subdued rear roof spoiler. The front lamps and special 12 LED rear lamps have black bezels for an even more dynamic appearance.

The individuality of both appearance packages is further enhanced by new 16 and 17-inch alloy wheel designs, along with 11 exterior colours – including seven new colours called Icy Blue, Stormy Blue, Aurora Blue Mica, True Red, Copper Red Mica, Crystal White Pearl and Golden Sand Metallic. The latter has changing nuances depending on light conditions.

On the inside, Mazda5 facelift still has the same stylish interior designed around an open, communicative space where up to seven people* can travel in comfort. The updated interior is now a touch more distinctive with two new black trim packages (depending on grade) with higher-quality seat materials. A new centre panel , either titanium look or black, is introduced. Black leather seats are now available as an option.

* Depending on version

New Power Sliding Rear Doors for Maximum Comfort

Mazda5 facelift enhances the high convenience of its segment-unique, double sliding rear doors – with an opening width of 700 mm and an opening height of 1,083 mm – by adding power assisted door opening and closing functionality.* The doors can be operated from the driver’s seat with buttons on the dashboard, with the exterior and interior door handles, and with the remote central locking key.* The doors open in less than 4 seconds and close very smoothly in less than 5 seconds. And for added safety, they stop reliably if any kind of obstruction is detected.

* Depending on model and market

Functionality, Comfort & Equipment – Quieter and more Practical

Mazda5 facelift retains all interior features that have made it so popular with families around the globe. Still onboard are its innovative Karakuri seating and storage system (see box), 45 storage compartments , cockpit with all-round adjustability and a high-mount shift lever, one-touch second- row seat-tip functionality for easy entry to the third row and a practical dual-stage liftgate with two opening heights (1,810 mm and 1,910 mm) that prevents scratches in garages and is convenient to use for people of different body sizes. The trunk offers a volume of up to 1,678 litres (Five-seat version with second row down).

Still Versatility at its Best – Mazda5’s Seven-Seat Karakuri Seating and Storage System*

Mazda5’s Karakuri seating and storage system offers sufficient space for up to seven people and allows to quickly and easily transform the interior into a variety of seating arrangements. If you need more luggage space, just fold the third row seats fl at into the floor, and you have five seats and a large boot. A four-seat configuration is also possible by storing the cushion of the middle seat in the second row beneath the left seat. Just tip the left seat cushion forward, fold the middle seat cushion into the space below it, and put the left hand seat cushion back into its original position. Then drop down the middle seat’s seatback, and it will serve as an extra-wide centre armrest. This allows four passengers a maximum of space and convenience. A practical Karakuri utility box can be folded out of the middle row’s right seat into the centre. It has a top tray big enough to hold smaller toys, snacks, cups or baby bottles, and in the box below there is a net that can hold various items. If the second row centre seat or the Karakuri box is in use, a 6.3 litre storage space is available under one of the second row outer seat cushions.

Volume all seats up (to belt line)*: 112
Volume 3rd row down (to belt line)*: 426
Volume 2nd and 3rd rows down (to belt line)*: 857
Volume 2nd and 3rd rows down (fl oor to ceiling)*: 1,566

* Boot volume and third row functionality are valid for 7-seated versions only. Second row functionality is valid for all versions.

The updated Mazda5 adds features that make the vehicle even easier to use on a daily basis. Black-out meters with improved white illumination , for instance, are now standard. The size of the centre monitor (displaying clock, audio and AC info) is now larger , placed higher and further forward so it is easier to read. The layout of the centre panel switches are optimised to make the hazard lamp switch and the clock adjustment buttons easier to reach. A new auxiliary (AUX) jack with a niche at the front of the floor console are standard on all models. This feature allows you to stow, hook up and listen to an MP3 player using Mazda5’s audio system .

When equipped with the optional DVD entertainment system* , Mazda5 features a second AUX jack in the rear seat trim , allowing rear passengers to play a console game, watch a movie or listen to music on headphones.

*depending on grade and market

Mazda5 facelift also has a new DVD navigation system (depending on grade and market) designed to be easier to read and use, with a new 7-inch multifunctional touch screen and voice command that is now integrated into the centre panel. As before, the DVD navigation system includes a rear view camera , a very useful item when parking or manoeuvring in narrow spaces. The normal CD player now plays MP3-formated CDs, an in-dash 6 CD changer is now available, as well as a Bluetooth® telephone system with steering wheel controls and voice command (depending on grade).