2004 Mazda MX-Flexa Concept

Bigger Isnt Always Better

What is it about Mazda and multi-purpose concept vehicles? Most automakers use the opportunity to design and build a new concept vehicle by teasing potential customers with a super fast sports car or wild and wacky off-roader, but the Japanese brand has got a thing about station wagon, minivan cum crossovers as of late.

In 1999 it was the Nextourer, then the innovative Washu in 2003, and now the MX-Flexa. As configured for the auto show circuit, the Flexa debuted in New York at its annual auto show in April featuring a flexible 6-occupant interior. Mazda says that the Flexa "demonstrates a possible direction Mazda can take for future wagon designs."

OK? So whats an MPV? Wasnt Mazdas minivan once a future direction for the brands station wagon? To be totally clear, minivans have grown larger over the last decade or so when compared to the mid-80s designs that initiated the genre. While I find it hard to see the MX-Flexa as anything particularly new, it poses an interesting formula for a smaller, more fuel efficient minivan.

Of course, Mazda doesnt refer to the MX-Flexa as a minivan at all, but a "Space Wagon." Call it what you want, but its a minivan to me. And, of course, theres nothing wrong with that. Compared to Mazdas current MPV, however, the MX-Flexa is somewhat smaller. Its overall length reaches only 176.0 inches, quite a bit shorter than the 189.3 inch MPV. The newcomer is also narrower, at 68.7 inches compared to the MPVs 72.1 inch width, and shorter at 65.0 inches compared to 68.7 inches. What about the Flexas wheelbase? Again at 108.0 inches its more compact, with the MPV spanning 111.8 inches.

If a compact van similar to the Flexa arrives as a compliment to the next-generation MPV then Mazda will be able to grow its current minivan to Honda Odyssey, Nissan Quest dimensions, allowing it to compete directly with the biggest vans in the industry.

"The space wagon segment is growing exponentially in many markets around the world--especially Europe," commented Jim OSullivan, president and CEO of Mazda North American Operations. "With our engineering know-how and deep consumer understanding, this is a new segment where Mazda can inject even more Zoom-Zoom into the North American market."

Ironically, the "space wagon" segment, which Mazda states is growing throughout the world, especially in Europe, is actually referred to as the MPV, or Multi-Purpose Vehicle class across the Atlantic. MPVs, or space wagons, are popular due to the need for optimizing space and the high cost of fuel in Europe.

While space optimization is important in any market, its only been within the last year that gasoline prices have skyrocketed to unprecedented levels, making some North American consumers rethink their big vehicle purchases.

But will it come to market here in North America? The press release accompanying the Flexas launch hinted at such, stating that the project allowed Mazdas design team to "inject some highly potent emotion into the space-wagon segment, while breaking ground for a future product."

The MX-Flexa took shape in Mazdas Hiroshima design studio, under the skilled penmanship of chief designer Koji Tabata while overseen by Mazda design director Moray Callum.

"A six-passenger vehicle that looks athletic and dynamic even when standing still is a very unique and exciting concept," said Callum. "This athletic tension in design has been a theme of many recent Mazda products, including the new RX-8 and recently launched Mazda3."

The MX-Flexa is attractive for sure; a stylistic feat considering its really nothing more than a compact van. And with that status is the flexibility that inspired its name, starting with the dead giveaway of any minivan, sliding side doors. They give access to six stowable seats that either seat a large group of adults comfortably, or tumble under to provide a spacious load floor - again, nothing unusual.

The fact that the MX-Flexa shares architecture with Mazdas compact 3, however, bodes well for its drivability. Its larger than the Mazda3, stretched and widened, and of course much taller, but its still a microcosm of one of the larger "minivans" currently available. That means that compared to a Dodge Caravan or Ford Freestar, for instance, the Flexa will be a dream to park, while providing a much more enticing handling package. And my guess is that young families would appreciate such an efficient, economical alternative to todays vans, which are getting closer in dimensions to the full-size vans of yesteryear with every update.

Its very creative 5-spoke (or 10-spoke), 18-inch alloy wheels covered with 235/50R-18 performance tires look sporty while adding to the MX-Flexas sporting driving dynamics, barely hiding the vans 4-wheel disc brakes.

Connected to the wheel hubs is a MacPherson-type front strut suspension with a multi-link setup in the rear, plus anti-roll bars at both ends for added stability. Ive driven the Mazda3 that donates the MX-Flexas undercarriage, and its one of the best in the compact class. With that in mind I think its a pretty fair bet that the new concept would do to the van segment what the 3 has done for compact sedans if produced - provided head-of-class handling.

The concept also gets the 3s (and the Mazda6s) transverse-mounted, 16-valve, 2.3-liter MZR engine, as well as its 4-speed Sport Shift automatic transmission with manual mode.

Connecting man with machine is an extremely attractive, yet very production ready cockpit. In fact, its various instruments, knobs and dials, including their placement on the dash and center stack, are standard Mazda3 fare. Sure theyre updated to a cool blue hue, and augmented to fit the taller layout of a minivan, but theyre all Mazda3. This again is a good thing, being that the vehicle looks ready for prime time, hardly needing any modifications to bring it to life.

The vans layout features six individual "captains" seats surfaced in leather. Mazda has incorporated a removable "cool/warm" box attached to the center console, similar to that in the Pontiac Aztek. Toyota had an optional non-detachable cooler in its first-generation compact van too, an item I especially enjoyed when I had one as a company vehicle during my tenure with the Japanese brand in the late 80s.

My Toyota van didnt include an integrated bike rack though, something Mazda felt necessary to include. The automaker calls it the E-ZZ-FOUR bike rack, because up to four bikes can be transported at one time, two inside the Flexa and two outside. The system incorporates four sliding rails, two as part of the cabin ceiling and another two on the roof.

In the end it looks as if Mazda has decided to produce the MX-Flexa, reported to be dubbed the Mazda4 it will be heading to the Paris Auto Salon (Mondial de lAutomobile 2004) starting September 25th of this year. Its a decision that makes a fair bit of sense. Personally speaking, my family requires the seating capacity but my budget would appreciate the fuel economy and expectedly lower entry price. I believe there are many others in my position, especially considering todays exorbitant fuel costs. Other manufacturers should take note and bring their European MPVs (or space wagons as Mazda calls them) to the American market. After all, bigger isnt always better.