MAZDA HAS launched its new Mazda5 and is aiming the model squarely at Ford’s dominance in the MPV segment. The new Mazda5 now comes with a 1.6-litre diesel engine putting out 115bhp and this replaces the 2.0-litre diesel engine in the previous model, which had 110bhp, and there are also improvements in fuel economy and, subsequently, CO2 emissions.
The new 1.6-litre diesel returns 5.2l/100km compared to 6.1l/100km from the previous model and CO2 emissions are lower too, at 138g/km compared to 159g/km, meaning it sits in motor tax band B, with annual road tax of just €156.
The Mazda5 is a seven-seater and features rear sliding doors, which makes access to the rear seats easy in confined spaces. The second and third rows can be folded into a variety of positions and they can also be folded flat to create a 1,485-litre luggage space.
Safety features include ABS brakes, electronic brake force distribution, traction control, stability control and front, side and curtain airbags.
There are four specifications to choose from: Comfort, Executive, Executive SE and Sport models. Mazda reckons the Executive SE will be the biggest seller and this has Bluetooth, climate control, parking sensors, cruise control and 16-inch alloys as standard.
Prices start at €24,995 for the Comfort model and there is a €1,000 increase for Executive and another for Executive SE. The top spec Sport model, which gets electric sliding doors, is €29,995.
The Mazda2 gets a mild facelift and has been given suspension tweaks to make the ride more refined. There is a choice of two 1.3-litre petrol engines, with power of 75 and 84bhp and both of these fall into tax band A.
There is also a change to the Mazda3 range. The new model gets a revised diesel engine, which now puts out 115bhp compared to 109bhp, and there is further reductions in emissions. Prices start at €21,295, and Bluetooth and cruise control are now standard.
At the launch of the Mazda5, Michael Howe was unveiled as country manager for Mazda Ireland. He said he was optimistic of a strong start to the year. “This year already is confounding a lot of the critics, we are up 42 per cent compared to the same time last year. Dealers are seeing a decent bit of traffic through. Our range is right and our prices are right, and our dealers are okay about business.”