MPV: Mazda's Popular miniVan

In Japan, the Mazda MPV is known, marketed, and sold as the Efini MPV. This vehicle first made its way to public knowledge in 1989. It was constructed to be a rear wheel drive vehicle. Later on in 2000, it came back with a more modern front wheel drive. Originally, the Mazda MPV was designed in its every minute detail as a minivan. This was destined to be sold to the American market.

The Mazda MPV was first constructed using Mazda’s best platform that time. The company used the Mazda 929’s HC to be able to develop and start out the Mazda MPV’s LV platform. Later on in the design and construction process for this vehicle, the Mazda MPV was equipped with a V6 engine and an optional all wheel drive. This vehicle features traditional hinged doors instead of the sliding rear doors.

Making waves with the press, the Mazda MPV then earned its way to being named a part of the Car and Driver magazine’s Ten Best list for two consecutive years – 1990 and 1991. This magazine also featured the Mazda MPV as one of their “vehicles for the coming (fuel) crisis”. However, on the other hand, the Mazda MPV made a big unwanted splash with crash testers. Out of the four stars that a vehicle could receive from the Australian ANCAP crash test, the Mazda MPV only received one little star. As for the American IIHS crash tests, the vehicle received a poor “Marginal” rating. The sales for this vehicle went really well however it rapidly declined come the period when other automobile manufacturers started constructing and introducing to the market all wheel drivers and V6 engines.

In 1996, this vehicle underwent a refreshing. The I4 engine went into retirement and it was replaced with a similar engine – a 2.5 liter unit. Come the year 2000, the Mazda MPV came with a front wheel drive LW platform that was based on the Mazda 626. This set of Mazda MPVs was considered to be the second in this model’s generation. It came this time to be more traditional than the first batch. It held sliding rear doors and a front wheel drive. However, what was different for this generation includes a rear seat that folds flat into the floor and rear door windows that are rolled down. In 2002, the changes for the vehicle included a change in power by using the Mazda AJ 3.0 liter V6 engine along with a 5-speed automatic transmission. This now has the capacity to produce 200 horsepower and 200 pound feet of torque. Other than that, upgrades included a larger grille that sported a single chrome bar at the top, a more aggressive look and new headlights and tail lights.

Mazda Parts and Mazda Auto Parts

Mazda MPV parts

catalytic converters

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Kimberly Meyer is an expert when it comes to automotive issues. She is the manager of her own car parts manufacturing company. This 33 year-old maiden is also a talented writer.

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Vauxhall Zafira 2.0 DTi Diesel MPV Deisgn Mk1 - Used Car Review

Produced by the General Motors Group, the Zafira made its first appearance in the UK in 1999, with the second generation successor arriving in 2005.

The Zafira concept was quite revolutionary at the time: a 7 seater where the 6th and 7th seats could be folded flat into the floor and did not need to be physically removed, unlike for example the Ford Galaxy or the Volkswagen Sharan.

The Zafira is also slightly smaller than other 7 seater MPVs, a quality that is therefore reflected in the price.

It's this magic combination of flexibility and price that makes the Vauxhall Zafira one of the better MPVs on the market. In fact, if we've not got one on our stock pages, we're always keeping our eye out where we can find a Zafira.

The review

We purchased this Vauxhall Zafira 2.0 DTi Design as a 4 year old diesel MPV with 70,000 miles on the clock and full service history.

Having a small family ourselves, we took it on a road trip to Liverpool for a weekend and managed to fit in the boot 3 suitcases, laptop, 2 bags, baby overnight bag, baby travel cot, baby high chair and a pram, not to mention the four of us. We still had the flexibility to pick up a few friends when we emptied the boot at the B&B, as the back 2 seats just slide into the floor when not in use: you don't have to physically remove them and leave them somewhere when you need the space.

Thumbs up for the drive as well: the 2 litre diesel turbo intercooler (DTi) engine of this Zafira gave a steady 100 bhp which meant this MPV still had a bit of pull even fully loaded. Not to mention seat position, giving all of us a decent view without losing the handling of a lower positioned non-MPV.

Decent spec, air con as standard, nice dark upholstery for the kids to let themselves loose on, electric windows and mirrors, colour coded bumpers and mirrors, stereo remote controls. The 'flex 7' seating system even allows you to lift the bottom of the middle bench seat to be parallel with the back and slide the whole thing up to the back of the front seat giving you a 5 foot long boot (dimensions L160xW110xH100cm).

In fact the only criticisms we could level against the Zafira MPV would be the road tax at £170 per year and the fact that the Design model doesn't come with alloys as standard.

Nonetheless, at £5495 on the road, this MPV still has to rate in the top 3 all-rounders of the MPV class.

Please feel free to submit your comments and experience of your Vauxhall Zafira 2.0 DTi Diesel MPV to Paul at the Newcastle-under-Lyme Used Car World website.

See also Newcastle-under-Lyme Vauxhall Zafira For Sale

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The All-New Volkswagen’s CrossGolf

The new Volkswagen CrossGolf which possesses the can-do qualities of a compact SUV and the versatility of a small MPV like its successful sibling the Volkswagen CrossPolo is a product of the Volkswagen Individual, which is the automakers internal division for vehicle refinement.

Cross a versatile concept

• SUV and MPV rolled into one- SUV is an acronym for Sport Utility Vehicle and refer to a more sophisticated version of the traditional off-road vehicle. The CrossGolf exemplifies the stamina and toughness of this type of vehicle which is reflected in its body and modified chassis. MPV is short for Multi Purpose Vehicle and pertains to a van. The CrossGolf with its variable and roomy interior belongs to this segment. The advantage of the Golf over its other siblings is the fact that within its class it doesn’t have any direct competitions.

• Powerful Image- the exterior design of the CrossGolf embodies features that reflect the evocative world of SUVs. Its continuous wrap-around cladding in anthracite color together with its silver colored roof rail and newly designed bumpers and radiator air inlets give the Golf an impressive look. This particular breed of Cross has large 17-inch wheels, while its body is set 20 millimeters higher. It also comes in an exclusive new color the “Ice Silver Metallic” which is offered as an option.

Cross and its cleverly crafted interiors

• Individual Interior- the Volkswagen’s CrossGolf interior offers a fresh, contrast-rich color world scheme. The materials and colors of seat covers as well as its door trim and silver-metallic cockpit components were developed especially for the new model. It also possesses a three spoke leather steering wheel, pedal caps in aluminum and a “Climatic” climate control system that completes the generous lineup of standard equipment. The Golf is also equipped with top-of-the-line auto parts that the automaker is famous for like its Volkswagen air filter.

• Remarkable Ideas- the CrossGolf with front wheel drive is based on the Golf Plus Sportline. Its distinct features like folding tables on armrests of the standard front sport seats with storage bins underneath adds up to its practical details. The rear bench Seat with its longitudinal adjustment is split for variable folding to create a table. Depending on the bench configuration the cargo volume of the trunk area behind the large rear hatch ranges between 395 and 505 liters. When the seatbacks are folded down as much as 1,450 liters cargo space is provided.

• Expansive space- The space provided by the Volkswagen CrossGolf is likened to that of a compact SUV. As compared to the “clas¬sic” Golf the front passengers sit 9.5 centimeters higher, and measures 10.5 centimeters higher in the rear. The CrossGolf provides passengers with a comfortable entry and exit via its four doors. Head room and foot room are made extra spacious for both front and rear seating.

Powerful and Innovative Technology

• Two gasoline and two diesel engines- Volkswagen is offering the CrossGolf in two gasoline and two diesel engine variants. The two diesels come with a particulate filter. The entry-level gasoline engine delivers 75 kW / 102 HP, and the base TDI engine develops 77 kW / 105 HP. The top gasoline and diesel engine variants have identical power output: The TSI and the 2.0 TDI each deliver a powerful 103 kW / 140 HP. The exterior of the TSI is particularly intriguing. The twin charging by its supercharger and turbocharger enables the direct injection gasoline engine to produce an exceptionally high torque and an agile engine. The Golf also demonstrates exceptional fuel economy. The TSI and either of the TDIs can be ordered with DSG dual clutch transmission as an option.

• Optimal safety. Like all Golf cars the CrossGolf also has the ESP electronic stabilization program together with counter-steering function and trailer stabilization, ABS and brake assist on board. Six airbags are also included as standard equipment.

Growing up with three brothers, Natalie Anderson became exposed early to the world of automobiles. This 29-year-old account manager now dreams of having her very own top-of-the-line vintage car. You can visit Volkswagen air filter for more information.

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