Mazda 5 facelift unveiled in Sicily

Mazda was in bullish mood at the recent launch of the Mazda 5 facelift at Mazara del Vallo in Sicily: 2007 was the company's best year for sales in Europe by volume in 16 years - 311,200 units.

This comes on top of the highest December sales volume in history in Europe, 24,100 units, according to Petra Gerntholtz, senior manager public relations of Mazda Motor Europe.

The Mazda 5, too, has been a success story for Mazda since its launch in Stresa, northern Italy, in 2005. Its features, like double sliding rear doors with walk-in functionality and a Karakuri seating and storage system in the interior that makes it easy to communicate front to rear, were a hit.

The Mazda 5 is now the company's third best-selling vehicle in Europe, with 297,500 units produced worldwide up to the end of last November, of which 110,000 were sold in Europe up to the end of last year.

With the C-MAV (lower medium, multi-activity vehicle) segment set to continue to remain strong in Europe in the next few years, Mazda is confident that the more family-friendly qualities of the Mazda 5 facelift will endear it to consumers across Europe.

The exterior has a refreshed, dynamic design, including new front and rear bumpers, lights and front grille. There is a new Sports Appearance Package on option, apart from new 16- and 17-inch alloy wheel designs, and seven new colours.

Inside, there are new materials, colours and trims, including titanium-look or black central panel and gear selector panel, and the choice of black leather interior. In terms of functionality, comfort and equipment, you can now opt for power sliding rear doors.

Within the Sports Appearance Package there are 12 LED rear lamps that are even brighter, come on quicker and use less energy. A new centre monitor, incorporating clock, audio and AC information, is now larger and placed more forward for easier reading. The CD player now has MP3 compatibility, including an auxiliary jack for access to the car's audio system.

There is optimised NVH (noise, vibration and harshness), with a new multi-resonator system, new Thinsulate insulating sheets added to the roof liner and increased wheel rim rigidity for a quieter cabin while driving.

Buyers will still find two pop-up tables with cup holders for second row passengers, no fewer than 45 storage compartments and a dual-stage lift tailgate with two opening heights.

One power plant is available for the Maltese market, the 1.8-litre petrol, which consumes 0.3 litres (four per cent) less fuel per 100 km and produces 8 g/km less CO2. It has a peak power of 115 PS (85 kW) at 5,300 rpm, and maximum torque (pulling power) of 165 Nm at 4,000 rpm.

Finally, there is improved rear end stability with a new rear suspension forward lateral link position and a brake booster optimised for improved brake pedal response and feedback.

Mazda is represented in Malta by Gasan Enterprises Ltd of Mriehel.