| March 24, 1999 |
Mazda Introduces All-New "Laputa"
- A Micro-mini Vehicle With Versatile Packaging and Excellent Driving Performance-
Mazda Motor Corporation today announced the introduction of the Laputa, a micro-mini vehicle through the Mazda Autozam dealerships throughout Japan.
The Laputa is a new type of micro-mini vehicle, which features superior space utility meeting a wide range of everyday activities while providing excellent off-road driving performance. It combines boxy configuration expressing its interior roominess with the distinctive styling. The Laputa comes with two body types, a three door and a five door model.
Through the introduction of the all-new Laputa, Mazda will be strengthening its presence and expand its sales opportunities in the highly popular micro-mini car segment.
The main features of the Laputa are as follows:
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1. Versatile packaging
The Laputa features excellent visibility and in-out easiness besides efficient space utility with a variety of seat arrangements and ample cargo space. |
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2. Excellent driving performance for expanded range of movement
Thanks to turbo-charged powertrains (DOHC/SOHC) and high road clearance, the Laputa offers, beside comfortable city driving, superb off-road performance. |
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3. Distinctive exterior
The eye-catching distinctive exterior is equipped with multi-reflector headlights integrated with turning lamps and solid-looking fender-integrated front bumpers. Sales target of the Laputa is 700 units per month. |
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4. High-level of safety features
The Laputa features as standard equipment SRS(*) airbags for driver and front passenger seats as well as four-wheel ABS with power assist. It also employs an impact absorbing body that meets the new Japanese collision safety standards. |
| (*)SRS: Supplemental Restraint System |
The "Laputa" is derived from the name of the floating island in the book Gulliver's Travels. This name was chosen to evoke images of fun, sportiness, and casualness.
New Laputa Product Summary
1. Versatile Packaging
| - | The roomy interior space is secured through the adoption of a wide tread of 1,280 mm (four-wheel-drive model) and long wheelbase of 2,360 mm, while realizing superb handling in tight spaces with a small turning radius of 4.6 m. |
| - | The overall height of 1,545 mm (two-wheel drive model) is easily accommodated in most parking spaces. |
| - | The front seats have high hip points (605 mm on the two-wheel-drive model). Also, the doors open wide to make getting in and out easy. |
| - | The high seating position provides excellent visibility as well as superb driving position, and make moving about so much easier. |
Roomy Interior
| - | Because the luggage space is spared from protruding wheelhouses, superb cargo space is realized. The rear seatback can be folded forward to create a large, flat space. |
| - | The cargo-area floor consists of a "false bottom" panel, that is easily removed to reveal an additional 34 liters of storage room. |
| - | Split-fold reclining rear seats enable multiple seat arrangements. |
Versatile and Comfortable Interior
| - | The semi-bucket seat type up front gently holds the passenger in place and helps reduce fatigue. The driver's seat features a lumbar support design that helps minimize fatigue on longer drives. |
| - | Plenty of storage space --- glove compartment, front and rear door pockets (rear pockets on five-door model only), and console tray (with cup holder and coin holder) --- are equipped. |
| - | The steering wheel, shift lever, parking brake lever grip, and inside door handles have all been specially treated as antibacterial, and an air conditioner (anti-bacterial) with air filter is equipped as standard for enhanced interior comfort. |
| - | Power windows and keyless entry system are standard on all models. |
2. Excellent Driving Performance for an Expanded Range of Movement
| - | The two types of engines are available. |
| * A DOHC turbo engine designed for excellent torque in low-to-medium speed range, with high output at any speed range. | |
| * A SOHC turbo engine with excellent handling at normal driving speeds |
| Engine | Max. power (PS/rpm JIS net) | Max. torque (kg-m/rpm JIS net) |
| SOHC turbo | 60 / 6,000 | 8.5 / 4,000 |
| DOHC turbo | 64 / 6,500 | 10.8 / 3,500 |
| - | All grades come with full-time four-wheel drive. It is equipped with the rotary blade coupling system which automatically distributes drive power as needed to the front and rear wheels to match the road and driving conditions. |
| - | Wide-diameter 165/70R14 tires are employed, and realize excellent off-road driving performance with the minimum clearance of 185 mm and 175 mm for the 4WD model and the 2WD model, respectively. |
| - | Wide tread and a long wheel base ensure excellent driving stability, even at high speed. |
| - | Superb braking control is provided by 14-inch ventilated disc brakes accompanied with 8-inch masterback brakes in front. |
3. Distinctive Exterior
| - | The boxy exterior configuration emphasizes the roominess of the interior. |
| - | The distinctive front face is highlighted by sharply-designed multi-reflector halogen headlights integrated with turning lamps, and solid-looking fender-integrated front bumpers. |
| - | Fog lamps and a roof spoiler (with high-mount brake light integrated) enhance a sporty look. |
| - | Gray-keyed patterned-fabric textures are applied on seats for a classy feel. |
4. High Level of Safety Features
| - | The impact absorbing body provides protection in case of front, side, or rear collision, and meets the newly established Japanese collision safety standards for subcompact cars. |
| - | Side impact bars are incorporated into the side doors, and impact absorbing pads to absorb the force of side collisions are built into the front doors. |
| - | Four-wheel ABS with power assist, SRS(Supplemental Restraint System) airbags for the driver and front passenger seats, and front seatbelts with pre-tensioner are standard on all models. |
5. Other Features
| - | Three-door and five-door models are available. |
| - | It has three grades available, sporty look with DOHC turbo engine (S), practically equipped (X), and standard (G). |
| - | The following four exterior colors are available: superior white, silky silver metallic, satin black metallic, and sky blue metallic. |
Suggested Retail Prices (consumption tax not included):
| (In thousand yen) |
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| * The cold area version is standard on all models. |
