The Mazda5 has been around since 2006, going about its microvan business in relative obscurity, yet rewarding buyers with a healthy dose of zoom-zoom mixed into their three-row vanlet driving needs. The Mazda5 (Premacy in other markets) received a few tweaks in 2008, but other than new wheels and clear tail lamps, there weren't a lot of changes. Well, Mazda just announced that an all-new Premacy will be unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, and despite the smile on its face, the changes are more than skin deep.
Cribbing heavily from recent show cars like the Nagare and Furai, the new 5 sports swoopy character lines along its flanks, and adopts the now-familiar and familial smiley face up front. Besides an all-new body, the 2011 Mazda5 will also get the company's "i-stop" start-stop technology for its new direct-injection engine, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 15 percent according to Mazda. Mazda says the Nagare-inspired styling actually serves to reduce drag and maintain a good balance of downforce fore and aft, but we're pretty sure people will just think it a bit overstyled.
The new Mazda5 will go on sale in Europe later this year with a choice of 1.8- or 2.0-liter direct-inject gas engines. No word yet on which engines will make it over to these shores, but we're guessing the 2.5-liter in the current Mazda3. Hopefully Mazda has figured out a way to offer the trick karakuri second-row center seat that boosts seating to seven. We'll have more details when they pull the cover off of it in Geneva, but for now, check out the press release after the jump and the gallery of high-res images below.
[Source: Mazda]
Press Release
All-New Mazda5 to Premiere at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show
HIROSHIMA, Japan-Mazda Motor Corporation will hold the global premiere of the all-new Mazda5 (known as the Mazda Premacy in Japan) during the press days of the 2010 Geneva Motor Show on March 2 and 3, 2010. Embracing dynamic and elegant Nagare design, the new Mazda5 emits approximately 15 percent less CO2 than the current model thanks to Mazda's "i-stop" idling stop system, a direct injection gasoline engine and other technologies. European sales of the all-new Mazda5 will commence during fall 2010.
The new Mazda5 features an emotional design that blends elegance with a dynamic spirit. It will be the first Mazda production model to fully adopt Mazda's Nagare (meaning "flow" in Japanese) design language, which finds inspiration in the beauty of flows found in nature. Nagare design has appeared in certain elements of recent production models and was previously showcased through a series of concept cars. The new Mazda5's design achieves excellent aerodynamic characteristics with an outstanding drag coefficient and lift balance. In order to meet wide-ranging customer requirements, it also offers a high level of functionality, with dual sliding rear doors and multiple seat arrangements. This includes a karakuri second-row center seat that can be converted to a versatile storage space. With a sportier and smoother ride, the new Mazda5 responds precisely to the driver's commands, enabling the whole family to travel in comfort and security.
Based on its long-term vision for technology development, Sustainable Zoom-Zoom, Mazda is striving to improve the eco-friendly performance of its products. Whether stuck in traffic or cruising on the highway, the all-new Mazda5 with 2.0L direct injection gasoline engine and i-stop significantly reduces CO2 emissions thanks to the effective combination of i-stop, the high combustion efficiency provided by direct injection, and a six-speed manual transmission with optimized gear ratios. The new Mazda5 cuts CO2 emissions by roughly 15 percent compared to the model it replaces and provides a more comfortable ride with linear and smooth performance characteristics. It is now one of the most eco-friendly minivans in its class in Europe.
The new Mazda5's green credentials are further enhanced by its other available powertrains, which include a 1.8L gasoline engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission.
Commenting on the development concept, Hideki Matsuoka, the Mazda5 program manager, said, "The all-new Mazda5 meets the many needs of today's customers. In a single model, we offer the competitive eco-performance necessary to address current market trends together with our distinctive, emotional design. The Mazda5 features outstanding functionality with sliding rear doors and multiple seat arrangements, and it delivers fantastic comfort with a linear and smooth ride that responds precisely as the driver intends."
Officially titled the 80e Salon International de l'Auto, the Geneva International Motor Show press days are March 2 and 3, and the public days are March 4 through 14. Mazda will hold its press conference on Tuesday, March 2.
Mazda's exhibits at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show
| Scheduled for sale | All-new Mazda5 with 2.0L direct injection gasoline engine and i-stop (European specification) (Global premiere)*1 Mazda6 facelift model (European specifications) Mazda MX-5 20th Anniversary Edition (European specifications) |
| Reference exhibit | Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid |
| Technology exhibits | Next-generation Mazda SKY-G*2 direct injection gasoline engine Next-generation Mazda SKY-D*2 clean diesel engine Next-generation Mazda SKY-Drive*2 automatic transmission Cutaway model of MZR 2.0L DISI engine with i-stop |
| Currently on sale | Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda MX-5, Mazda CX-7, Mazda RX-8, Mazda BT-50 |
| *1 | To be displayed during the press days (March 2 and 3, 2010) only. |
| *2 | These are concept names for engines and transmissions that are scheduled to be introduced from 2011 onward. |
All-New Mazda5 to Premiere at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show
HIROSHIMA, Japan-Mazda Motor Corporation will hold the global premiere of the all-new Mazda5 (known as the Mazda Premacy in Japan) during the press days of the 2010 Geneva Motor Show on March 2 and 3, 2010. Embracing dynamic and elegant Nagare design, the new Mazda5 emits approximately 15 percent less CO2 than the current model thanks to Mazda's "i-stop" idling stop system, a direct injection gasoline engine and other technologies. European sales of the all-new Mazda5 will commence during fall 2010.
The new Mazda5 features an emotional design that blends elegance with a dynamic spirit. It will be the first Mazda production model to fully adopt Mazda's Nagare (meaning "flow" in Japanese) design language, which finds inspiration in the beauty of flows found in nature. Nagare design has appeared in certain elements of recent production models and was previously showcased through a series of concept cars. The new Mazda5's design achieves excellent aerodynamic characteristics with an outstanding drag coefficient and lift balance. In order to meet wide-ranging customer requirements, it also offers a high level of functionality, with dual sliding rear doors and multiple seat arrangements. This includes a karakuri second-row center seat that can be converted to a versatile storage space. With a sportier and smoother ride, the new Mazda5 responds precisely to the driver's commands, enabling the whole family to travel in comfort and security.
Based on its long-term vision for technology development, Sustainable Zoom-Zoom, Mazda is striving to improve the eco-friendly performance of its products. Whether stuck in traffic or cruising on the highway, the all-new Mazda5 with 2.0L direct injection gasoline engine and i-stop significantly reduces CO2 emissions thanks to the effective combination of i-stop, the high combustion efficiency provided by direct injection, and a six-speed manual transmission with optimized gear ratios. The new Mazda5 cuts CO2 emissions by roughly 15 percent compared to the model it replaces and provides a more comfortable ride with linear and smooth performance characteristics. It is now one of the most eco-friendly minivans in its class in Europe.
The new Mazda5's green credentials are further enhanced by its other available powertrains, which include a 1.8L gasoline engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission.
Commenting on the development concept, Hideki Matsuoka, the Mazda5 program manager, said, "The all-new Mazda5 meets the many needs of today's customers. In a single model, we offer the competitive eco-performance necessary to address current market trends together with our distinctive, emotional design. The Mazda5 features outstanding functionality with sliding rear doors and multiple seat arrangements, and it delivers fantastic comfort with a linear and smooth ride that responds precisely as the driver intends."
Officially titled the 80e Salon International de l'Auto, the Geneva International Motor Show press days are March 2 and 3, and the public days are March 4 through 14. Mazda will hold its press conference on Tuesday, March 2.
Mazda's exhibits at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show
| Scheduled for sale | All-new Mazda5 with 2.0L direct injection gasoline engine and i-stop (European specification) (Global premiere)*1 Mazda6 facelift model (European specifications) Mazda MX-5 20th Anniversary Edition (European specifications) |
| Reference exhibit | Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid |
| Technology exhibits | Next-generation Mazda SKY-G*2 direct injection gasoline engine Next-generation Mazda SKY-D*2 clean diesel engine Next-generation Mazda SKY-Drive*2 automatic transmission Cutaway model of MZR 2.0L DISI engine with i-stop |
| Currently on sale | Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda MX-5, Mazda CX-7, Mazda RX-8, Mazda BT-50 |
| *1 | To be displayed during the press days (March 2 and 3, 2010) only. |
| *2 | These are concept names for engines and transmissions that are scheduled to be introduced from 2011 onward. |
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