Mazda Launches Two All-new Products at 2004 Paris Motor Show

- High-performance sedan joins the Mazda5 on center stage -

PARIS, September 23, 2004 - Mazda Motor Corporation unveiled two-all new production vehicles today at the 2004 Paris Motor Show. Both vehicles, seen for the first time ever at the Mondial de l'Automobile 2004, will go on sale in key global markets during 2005 and help fuel further growth for Mazda. In calendar year 2003, Mazda was the fastest growing major car company in the world; sales to date in 2004 are tracking well ahead of 2003 levels.

Mazda6 MPS (European version)

Following a promise made two years ago, Mazda presented a production version of the high-performance Mazda6 MPS concept, Mazda’s premier show car of the 2002 Paris Show. The much-anticipated performance model of the award-winning Atenza/Mazda6 sedan will be called Mazdaspeed Atenza in Japan, MAZDASPEED6 in North America and, in other key markets including Europe and Australia, Mazda6 MPS. By any name, the new turbocharged, all-wheel-drive sedan will be Mazda’s highest performance sedan ever in market.

Sharing the stage in Paris is the new Mazda5--a Zoom-Zoom vehicle that features a flexible, karakuri interior (Mazda’s new “6+One” packaging concept) and a shape that is distinctly Mazda. The unique interior design allows individual markets to configure the vehicle for up to seven passengers or provide seating for six with additional storage capacity. Combined with the responsive handling found in all Mazda products, the Mazda5 will offer new packaging innovations and driving enjoyment to customers around the world.

MAZDA’S ULTIMATE ZOOM-ZOOM SEDAN
With the dedicated theme of “sophisticated, high-performance sedan,” the Mazda6 MPS (as shown in Paris) will be Mazda's highest-performance sedan. It boasts some of the company’s most-advanced, most-innovative technologies, including the newly developed direct-injection turbocharged 2.3-liter engine and an all-new active torque split, all-wheel-drive system that genuinely delivers Mazda's Zoom-Zoom spirit.

In European specification, the all-new MZR 2.3 DISI TURBO motivates the four-door sedan with an estimated 191kW (260 PS) of power and 380 Nm of torque. The introduction of a direct-injection fuel system to the turbocharged engine infuses the already powerful acceleration that is expected of turbo performance with ample torque in the low and mid range to deliver excellent response, while also realizing lower emissions. A six-speed manual transmission will be the only gearbox available in all markets.

Under controlled Mazda test conditions, the flagship sedan routinely delivers 0-100 km/h acceleration times of 6.6 seconds. Acceleration from 80-to-120 km/h can be achieved in approximately 5.3 seconds.
To promote control and drivability, Mazda’s new active torque split, all-wheel-drive system will be offered as standard equipment. The active torque coupling mounted in front of the rear differential is electronically controlled and, in accordance with road surfaces and driving conditions, adjusts the front/rear torque distribution to deliver optimum drive power to each wheel. The result is powerful acceleration and the ability to fully balance the car.

In all, more than 120 specific changes were made to the body and suspension of the existing sedan. Overall body rigidity is enhanced by more than 50 percent. With higher rates for the coil springs and more strict damping force for the dampers, the suspension is tuned to provide superior handling stability and a sophisticated ride. The 17-inch brakes are tuned to optimize performance and support the high power of the Mazda6 MPS.

The exterior design of the Mazda6 MPS is true to the original Atenza/Mazda6 sedan, launched in 2002, but is further accentuated to create a look that conveys at a glance the tangible pleasure of the vehicle’s boosted dynamic performance.

AN INSIGHTFUL NEW DIMENSION OF ZOOM-ZOOM
Fulfilling the promise of the Mazda MX-Flexa concept revealed at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, the new Mazda5 will offer some new Zoom-Zoom innovation and driving enjoyment to customers around the world.

Designed from the inside out, Mazda5 will provide comfort and karakuri flexibility with its unique “6 + One” packaging concept that offers a variable space in the vehicle’s center. As such, individual markets will be able to configure the vehicle for up to seven passengers or provide seating for six with additional storage capacity.

In line with Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom promise, Mazda5 will deliver a fresh exterior design with two wide-opening sliding doors and overall driving dynamics that customers have come to appreciate from all Mazda new-generation vehicles. Four powertrains will be offered to satisfy diverse market needs--two gasoline engines and, developed specifically for European markets, two versions of a common-rail turbo diesel engine.