Mazda Motor Corp. expects better fuel economy and a more functional interior to boost sales of the redesigned MAZDA5 minivan. The MAZDA5 goes on sale in the United States next January. The automaker aims to sell 20,000 to 30,000 a year in the United States, Thomas Pixton, senior managing executive officer, said at the vehicle's Japanese launch on July 1.

The redesigned version of the MAZDA5 gets Mazda's "smile" grill and wave-inspired side styling. Almost 2 feet shorter than competitor's minivans.

"We're looking for a sales increase in the new model because of increased environmental performance and a better interior," a Mazda rep commented. "Minivans have gotten bad press. But we're getting a generation of stylish minivans with dynamics much closer to sedans."

Mazda says the new and improved MAZDA5 will get up to 15 percent better fuel economy because of a direct-injection gasoline engine and the company's "iStop" engine with idle-stop technology.

It is still unclear whether the U.S. version will get the start-stop feature. The 2010 MAZDA5 with automatic transmission is ranked by the EPA at 21 mpg city/27 highway.

A reworked interior can be adapted to multiple seating arrangements to have up to seven people seated in three rows.

The starting price for the 2011 MAZDA5 is estimated to be about $21,000.

For now, you can check out all the latest on upcoming Mazda models or schedule a test drive at
Superior Mazda - 2600 SE Moberly Lane, Bentonville, AR 72712.


Source:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20009745-48.html