PARIS Motor Show 2004 (Mondial de l'Automobile 2004) saw the global premiere of the much-awaited new Mazda5, adding greater flexibility to the growing European C-MAV (Multi Activity Vehicle) segment.

Joining the Mazda5 was the exciting Mazda6 MPS, the new flagship of the Mazda6 model range, offering a sporty drive with 260ps petrol engine and distinctive styling. These two latest Mazda production vehicles offer new-generation excitement to even more European customers looking for style, flexibility and responsive engines to suit their everyday needs.

The all-new Mazda5 is designed to deliver maximum comfort, functionality and driving pleasure. The interior has been designed around a central space, which allows occupants not only to ride in comfort but also to interact easily with each other, making the new Mazda5 the ideal vehicle for travelling with family or friends. High levels of interior flexibility enhance this openly communicative environment.

The new Mazda5 has a unique six plus one solution which provides seating for seven to give innovative flexibility and a living space which combines storage and seating capacity with Karakuri type ingenuity. The second row seats can be slide adjusted and reclined and both second and third row seats can fold down to form a large load area with a virtually-flat floor.

The Mazda5 is not only about interior comfort and flexibility: it adds high levels of Zoom-Zoom driving enjoyment to the mix with an engine line-up that features two derivatives of a newly-developed 2.0-litre common-rail turbo diesel engine with a catalytic diesel particulate filter and a new six-speed manual transmission. Sharing the stage with the Mazda5 at the 2004 Paris Motor Show was the exciting new flagship of the Mazda6 model range, the Mazda6 MPS, which includes features that make it one of the hottest and best driving saloons on the road.

Mazda6 MPS has a newly-developed direct-injection turbocharged 2.3-litre MZR petrol engine that produces a maximum of 260ps of power at 6000rpm for exhilarating performance, maximum torque of 380Nm at just 3000rpm, and outstanding acceleration and control throughout the power range.

A new six-speed manual transmission has been designed to get the most out of the engine's performance while this new powertrain is combined with an all-new Active Torque Split All-Wheel Drive system for superior traction in all driving situations.