[folderol]

It's rumored (and I have reason to believe) that when the Premacy gets redesigned in the next couple years, it will be renamed the Mazda4. For those of you unfamiliar with foreign Mazda models, the Premacy is a tall wagon/MPV based on the Protege platform. The current model Premacy is not very sporty looking, but neither was the Protege, so a redesign will probably take care of that issue.

I looked at a MZ3 hatch last night and found myself wondering if it needs a bigger interior. Given the current trend toward tall crossover wagons, do you think Mazda should market such a car in North America? Do the Tribute and Mazda3 hatch cover enough crossover/sport wagon territory that we don't need a Mazda4?

 

[Yuki]

is more box feel than the Mz3 Hatch
likes like a minivan...but mini mini version

 

[chickmod]

I don't like it-I don't like those taller crossover wagons either. If I wanted that I would buy an SUV.

 

[dinu01]

Like it! This is like a RAV4/Tribute type of SUV but it looks like a minivan and it has a lower centre of gravity - and I bet it's more fun to drive too.

 

[mz6zoomzoom]

Tribute type? Tribute is a standard SUV Box... it's just a smaller version of the explorer, basically (which is why I like it... although I'd go for the Explorer)

 

[Ahura]

The Premacy is on the 626-platform, not the Protege/323. the Mazda4 will be based at the Mazda6

>> http://www.mazda-madness.nl/premacy.htm

My Premacy-page at www.mazda-madness.nl

>> http://www.mazda-madness.nl/nieuws/nieuws49.htm

Spy shots of the Mazda4

Renault came in the end of 1996 for the first time with a midi-MPV that became hugely succesfull. In 1998 Fiat brought the Multipla into the market en in 1999 Opel introduced the Zafira en Mazda the Premacy. And other followed..

 

[Ahura]

RENAULT SCENIC 1996

RENAULT SCENIC 1999

RENAULT SCENIC 2003

_________________________

OPEL ZAFIRA 1999

OPEL ZAFIRA 2003

_________________________

MAZDA PREMACY 1999

MAZDA PREMACY 2002

_________________________

CITROËN XSARA PICASSO 2000

_________________________

TOYOTA COROLLA VERSO 2002

_________________________

VOLKSWAGEN TOURAN 2003

_________________________

FORD FOCUS C-MAX 2003

So midi-MPV are usually based on the compact-midclass cars as we call it

Scenic based on Mégane
Zafira based on Astra
Premacy based on 626 (and some 323)
Picasso based on Xsara
Corolla Verso based on Corolla
Touran based on Golf V
C-max based on Focus (2004)

And there are more midi-MPV's. Most of them have 5-seats (Touran optional 7 and Touran std 7 and Multipla 3+3) which all can be removed easely. They are highter, have more room and are in price between the Mazda3 and Mazda6, Astra and Vectra, Xsara and C5, Corolla and Avensis, Golf and Passat, Focus and Mondeo etc etc

The Premacy:

 

[dugrant153]

Whoa... all these sport cross-overs and stuff...

 

[folderol]

The Premacy is on the 626-platform, not the Protege/323. the Mazda4 will be based at the Mazda6.

I was almost positive the Premacy was a stretched 323 platform, the same way the MPV is a stretched 626 platform. I believe the part about the Mazda4 being based on the Mazda6 though, since I keep reading about how Ford wants to use the 6 platform for about a dozen different cars & crossovers. I think they plan on making a Mercury crossover from the 6, and that'll probably be a cousin of the Mazda4.

Stupid Ford, stealing our good platforms...

 

[bluong1]

I believe the part about the Mazda4 being based on the Mazda6

Nope. Mazda3, Mazda4, Ford Focus II, Ford C-Max, Volvo S40, V50 use the same C-platform.

 

[mz6zoomzoom]

yep, what bluong says

 

[Ahura]

I've read that before too. But if you look at the spy pics loos the 4 bigger then the C-max. And another thing why I do believe what www.autotelegraaf.nl said, is that the C-max isn't very roomy! The Premacy has more space. And I know it, because we've got the Premacy and I sat in the C-max. ánd... the Mazda4 will be a 5 and 7-seater. So the car hás to be larger

 

[Ahura]

Hm... that's odd...

wheelbases:

626: 2,61 m
323: 2,61 m
Premacy: 2,67 m

So its both

 

[zaimon]

Some cool photoshops of what the MAzda4 could look like along with some spy pictures!

http://carspyshots.proboards2.com/index.cgi?board=spy&action=display&num=1059665930">Car Spy Shots Forum

 

[Ahura]

They aren't realistic. The 4 isn't getting those taillights and also not that nose. En it will get normal doors