New Mazda5 to Debut in China on January 11

The new Mazda5 that was presented earlier this year at the Geneva Auto Show will go on sale in China on January 11, 2011 to compete with local leader Volkswagen Turan. The car will be sold through Mazda's local joint venture, so in case you'll be looking for a Mazda5, be sure to check the FAW dealerships available across the country.

The new Mazda5 doesn't only come with exterior and interior modifications, but also with a revised engine range, specifically optimized to be more fuel efficient, to release less emissions and to develop greater performance.

The engine lineup thus includes a new 2.0-litre petrol engine and Mazda’s stop/start system, i-stop. This configuration achieves approximately 15 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared to the 2.0-litre petrol it replaces. The range also includes a 1.8-litre petrol engine, now with six-speed manual gearbox, and an economical diesel engine.

Although pricing isn't yet available for the Chinese market, Mazda sells the MPV in its domestic market from 1,799,000 yen ($19,300) up to 2,314,000 yen ($24,800).

In the United States on the other hand, the car will go on sale in January 2011 as well and will be offered in three trim levels, Sport, Touring and Grand Touring, with prices of $19,990, $21,990 and $24,670, respectively. The top-of-the-range version comes with power moonroof, automatic on/off xenon headlights, heated door mirrors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, anti-theft alarm system, driver's seat lumbar support adjustment, heated front seats, in-dash 6-disc CD changer, leather-trimmed seats and Sirius satellite radio.