Mazda MPV minivan redesigned with four doors, safety assets
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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A restaurant's asphalt parking lot overlooking the
St. Lawrence River in Canada's French-flavored province of Quebec seems like an incongruent setting for a Japanese automotive designer to extol to an American writer the nuances of improvements built into a 1996 minivan from Mazda, but after 100 miles of driving tests in this new vehicle a few questions had arisen -- and the lot was empty.
Kazuo Kato, manager of Mazda Motor Corporation's Japanese production center, supplied answers about the restyling of MPV, the Mazda minivan with initials denoting Multi-Purpose Vehicle.
For instance, Kato confirmed that the new design, built atop the same rigid chassis that carried the previous MPV, extends the overall length of this vehicle by seven inches, most notably through the installation of a longer nose section designed for additional safety as a crumple zone to absorb energy from a collision.
Dual airbags built into this van also elevate it to contemporary safety standards to shield front riders.
Kato pointed to hidden safety aspects which also show up now as standard gear, such as the high-tensile steel of side door beams, 3-point safety belts used at all outboard seat positions, plus a 4-wheel anti-lock brake system linked to MPV's disc brakes.
What's the most obvious design difference between the previous MPV and its successor?
The new minivan features a hinged door added to the left side immediately behind the driver's door. It accesses the second tier of seats from the left and, in effect, boosts the MPV to sedan status in terms of convenience for passengers climbing aboard.
A hinged right-side door -- rather than the typical van's slider door -- was an innovation for the minivan's 1988 debut and this new left rear hinged door amplifies the point that MPV skews to sedan features, the designer said.
Then there's the aspect of MPV's flexible seating.
The pre-production version tested on Quebec's roads provided three tiers of seats, with two front buckets followed by a center bench for three and a back bench that holds an additional three riders -- eight in all.
Yet the designer confirmed that two other variations are available.
Captain's chairs could be substituted for the second row bench, trimming capacity to seven but creating a more open feeling to the cabin. Or the third bench could be removed, as was demonstrated in the parking lot by flipping several latches, to expand capacity of the cargo bay, accessible through a back top-hinged hatch.
And when all eight seats are in place aboard MPV but the second row bench is not required to hold passengers, its seatback may be folded forward to function as a tabletop -- complete with integrated cupholders -- for the convenience of rear riders.
In the redesign of MPV, the overall height of the van increases by 0.8 inches. On the inside, this sets up a generous cabin height and, with consideration for the flat floor, means passengers can move easily from seat to seat.
Of course, since its inception the MPV has been known for user-friendly features.
The attraction of an easy-to-drive vehicle providing convenient interior features, plus an able powertrain and rear-wheel traction (ideal for hauling a trailer) propelled the original MPV to the top of the sales charts, and it has consistently ranked as the best-selling imported minivan.
Now, strategic improvements for 1996 models make a more contemporary minivan statement in terms of safety, function and rider convenience.
A new exterior treatment streamlines MPV's lines and also improves visibility for close maneuvers such as parking, thanks to rounded corners and the frontal extension which help the driver define leading edges.
A new grille, edged in chrome and shaped as an inverted trapezoid in the style of other Mazda vehicles, accents the new front face of MPV, while a new flush-mounted wrap-around bumper system suggests action in a sporty image.
On Quebec freeways, MPV exhibited a peppy personality.
Its only engine, a 3.0-liter V6 outfitted with single overhead cam and 3-valve format for each cylinder, employs a multi-point fuel injection system.
This plant produces 155 horsepower and reasonable torque, particularly in low and mid-range speeds, when linked to the nice new electronically-controlled 4-speed automatic transmission.
A handy switch enables the driver to block the fourth overdrive gear when desired.
Mazda produces two essential versions of MPV.
In base model a front-mounted engine supplies power to rear wheels in classic arrangement that provides superior traction when packing a heavy load or towing a boat.
A second version features push-button control of the part-time 4-wheel-drive system, which utilizes a center differential to distribute traction among all wheels to improve traction on wet or slippery pavement.
The suspension, with independent front components and a rear 5-link live axle, delivers a ride quality that mimics the smoothness of a large sedan.
And for those who haul a trailer behind their minivan, MPV in 4WD traction mode stocks a trailer towing package which also includes an automatic load leveling system on the rear suspension, plus heavy-duty cooling fan and automatic transmission oil cooler.
Towing capacity increases to 4,000 lbs. on the 4x4 unit, or to 4,300 lbs. on the 4x2 MPV, where the towing package becomes an option.
Power rack and pinion steering applies to all issues, although quicker steering ratios appear on the 4x4.
Trim treatments for MPV begin with a base DX model in 4x2 rigging. Upgraded LX and ES editions show up for 4x2 and 4x4 variations.
Standard seating for MPV DX includes 5-person capacity with two fabric-clad front buckets and a center 3-person bench. The third row bench for three becomes a standard for MPV LX, increasing capacity to eight people, while deluxe ES earns second row captain's chairs with all seat surfaces upholstered in soft leather.
1996 MAZDA MPV
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| 1996 MAZDA MPV VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Compact minivan |
| Model Options: |
Compact minivan |
| Wheelbase: |
110.4 inches |
| Overall Length: |
183.5 inches
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| Engine Size: |
SOHC 3.0-L V6 18v
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| Transmission: |
Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Rear, 4WD |
| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
16/22 mpg |
| MSRP Price: |
$ 22,000 to $ 28,000 |
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