Autoblog

click above image to view more pics of the redesigned Mazda5

The Mazda5 seems to be a few quarts short of Zoom-Zoom juice compared to the rest of Mazda's lineup. It just has never seemed able to generate the same excitement from customers as the brand's other cars. Perhaps that's because it's fundamentally a little minivan, a type of vehicle that by its very nature defies the Zoom-Zoom culture. Nevertheless, Mazda will be introducing a redesigned Mazda5 at the Bologna Motor Show this week with a fresh face and new features that the automaker hopes will attract new customers in Europe and likely the U.S., as well.

New features include power sliding rear doors that open and close in less than five seconds, a new DVD-based nav system with a 7-inch touchscreen and a rear-view camera. Additional insulation and a resonator have also been added to the air intake to reduce engine noise seeping into the cabin. The 5's MZR 2.0L gets an electronic throttle and sequential valve timing, and at least in Europe you can order one with a 5-speed automatic or 6-speed manual. We'll likely find out at the Detroit Auto Show in January what new features will carryover across the pond, but we'll let you know what the new Mazda5 has in store for U.S. customers as soon as we find out.

[Source: Mazda]