Mazda4
03-27-2003, 08:45 AM
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doc RX-8
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More info frome EVO Magazine:
Mazda's 4sight Aims To Shatter Scenic
Japanese firm Mazda is bringing a new star to the 4, and exclusive images in the current issue of Auto Express magazine show how it will look. This is the company's compact MPV, set to do battle with the recently unveiled VW Touran and Renault Scenic.
Outside, it shares the styling cues of the firm's revitalised range, including narrow, angular headlamps, bulbous wheelarches and a steeply raked waistline, similar to the Washu concept seen at January's Detroit Motor Show.
It shares its platform with Ford's Focus C-MAX, which goes on sale in autumn, but unlike the Ford, the Mazda has seven seats, not five, and sliding rear doors. The 4, which will replace the Premacy in summer 2004, is also taller than the C-MAX, so the extra row of seats won't encroach too much on luggage capacity.
As well as practicality, safety will be high on the agenda, with a total of 12 airbags, including mini ones mounted in seat backs to protect passengers on the rearward two rows. Brake assist, EBD and ABS will be standard on even the most basic models, while a range of built-in booster and baby seats will also be offered. Most 4s will be front-wheel drive, but the top-of-the-range model, which is likely to be called the 4/4, will use the four-wheel-drive transmission developed for the Tribute replacement, the 5, due in 2005.
Initially, the car will use existing power units. That means an entry-level 1.6-litre petrol engine developing 100bhp, plus a 140bhp 2.0-litre. Diesel power will be restricted to a 1.8-litre 115bhp version of the TDCi unit found in Ford's Focus. Two more engines will follow in 2005. The Mazda 6's 2.3-litre petrol unit will power the all-wheel-drive 4/4, while an all-new 2.0-litre 16-valve diesel co-developed by Ford and PSA Peugeot-Citroen will replace the TDCi. This engine will develop 130bhp and, thanks to particulate filters that break down the content of exhaust gases, will be one of the cleanest units around.
A flagship diesel using Volvo's D5 in-line five-cylinder engine and developing 161bhp will also appear. Petrol models will run on a choice of five-speed manual or automatic gearboxes from the 6, while the 2.0-litre oil- burner will use an all-new six-speed manual transmission that is being developed specially.
The production-ready 4 will not be seen until next year's Geneva Motor Show, as Mazda will be unveiling the new 3 at Frankfurt in September.
Mazda's 4sight Aims To Shatter Scenic
Japanese firm Mazda is bringing a new star to the 4, and exclusive images in the current issue of Auto Express magazine show how it will look. This is the company's compact MPV, set to do battle with the recently unveiled VW Touran and Renault Scenic.
Outside, it shares the styling cues of the firm's revitalised range, including narrow, angular headlamps, bulbous wheelarches and a steeply raked waistline, similar to the Washu concept seen at January's Detroit Motor Show.
It shares its platform with Ford's Focus C-MAX, which goes on sale in autumn, but unlike the Ford, the Mazda has seven seats, not five, and sliding rear doors. The 4, which will replace the Premacy in summer 2004, is also taller than the C-MAX, so the extra row of seats won't encroach too much on luggage capacity.
As well as practicality, safety will be high on the agenda, with a total of 12 airbags, including mini ones mounted in seat backs to protect passengers on the rearward two rows. Brake assist, EBD and ABS will be standard on even the most basic models, while a range of built-in booster and baby seats will also be offered. Most 4s will be front-wheel drive, but the top-of-the-range model, which is likely to be called the 4/4, will use the four-wheel-drive transmission developed for the Tribute replacement, the 5, due in 2005.
Initially, the car will use existing power units. That means an entry-level 1.6-litre petrol engine developing 100bhp, plus a 140bhp 2.0-litre. Diesel power will be restricted to a 1.8-litre 115bhp version of the TDCi unit found in Ford's Focus. Two more engines will follow in 2005. The Mazda 6's 2.3-litre petrol unit will power the all-wheel-drive 4/4, while an all-new 2.0-litre 16-valve diesel co-developed by Ford and PSA Peugeot-Citroen will replace the TDCi. This engine will develop 130bhp and, thanks to particulate filters that break down the content of exhaust gases, will be one of the cleanest units around.
A flagship diesel using Volvo's D5 in-line five-cylinder engine and developing 161bhp will also appear. Petrol models will run on a choice of five-speed manual or automatic gearboxes from the 6, while the 2.0-litre oil- burner will use an all-new six-speed manual transmission that is being developed specially.
The production-ready 4 will not be seen until next year's Geneva Motor Show, as Mazda will be unveiling the new 3 at Frankfurt in September.
03-27-2003, 09:22 AM
#3
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Great site
Thanks for the site got great info on new models of all car makers .There seems to be a tremendous amount of interesting cars in the pipeline from all the manufacturers i hope for the sake ofthe car manufacturers the ECONOMY does not take a dive otherwise there will be a glut of new cars and less buyers ..
03-31-2003, 01:25 PM
#4
doc RX-8
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More from EVO:
Mazda's MPV Can't Come Soon Enough
lthough Mazda has sold people carriers in Britain since the mid-Nineties, they remain a rare sight on our roads. The Premacy (picture) is its best offering yet, but is still weak compared with class leaders such as Vauxhall's Zafira and the Renault Scenic. A 2002 facelift, which saw seven seats and diesel engines join the range, did little to boost sales, although they did make the Premacy a more attractive package.
The Mazda MPV has not fared much better, offering no benefits over similarly priced, but superior offerings such as the Ford Galaxy and Renault Espace. This model, too, was revitalised last year and now has a decent diesel option, but is unlikely to sell well until an all-new and better-planned version debuts in late 2005.
That's why Mazda is pinning its hopes on the new 4. With a funky new image - largely the result of the phenomenal success of the 6 - the firm is targeting a more youthful audience and, because of the Ford underpinnings, the 4 promises to be a good driver's car. Future developments from Mazda include the 5, which will use a 4x4 version of the 4's platform and replace the slow-selling Tribute off-roader, as well as a replacement for the MX-5, although this won't make an appearance until 2006.
Mazda's MPV Can't Come Soon Enough
lthough Mazda has sold people carriers in Britain since the mid-Nineties, they remain a rare sight on our roads. The Premacy (picture) is its best offering yet, but is still weak compared with class leaders such as Vauxhall's Zafira and the Renault Scenic. A 2002 facelift, which saw seven seats and diesel engines join the range, did little to boost sales, although they did make the Premacy a more attractive package.
The Mazda MPV has not fared much better, offering no benefits over similarly priced, but superior offerings such as the Ford Galaxy and Renault Espace. This model, too, was revitalised last year and now has a decent diesel option, but is unlikely to sell well until an all-new and better-planned version debuts in late 2005.
That's why Mazda is pinning its hopes on the new 4. With a funky new image - largely the result of the phenomenal success of the 6 - the firm is targeting a more youthful audience and, because of the Ford underpinnings, the 4 promises to be a good driver's car. Future developments from Mazda include the 5, which will use a 4x4 version of the 4's platform and replace the slow-selling Tribute off-roader, as well as a replacement for the MX-5, although this won't make an appearance until 2006.