Mazda has officially launched a four-wheel drive version of its Premacy minivan – a vehicle sold here as the Mazda5– in Japan. The new Premacy/Mazda5 made its world debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show and will hit U.S. dealerships during the second half of 2011.
Although we have to wait more than a year for the new Mazda 5 to arrive in North America, the stylish people mover is already on sale in Japan. Giving JDM buyers even more to brag about, the 4WD Premacy is now available for order in Japan.
The Premacy’s four-wheel drive system defaults to automatic mode, seamlessly shifting power between the front and rear wheels as need. However, at the touch of a button drivers can choose a front-wheel drive only mode or a full-time all-wheel drive program.
Power for the 4WD Premacy is provided by Mazda’s MZR 2.0-liter DOHC – which is likely the engine we’ll see in the U.S.-spec Mazda5 – mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Given the similarity in engines choices and U.S. buyers’ propensity for all-wheel drive vehicles, we suspect an AWD version of the Mazda5 could be in the cards.
Pricing for the 4WD Premacy is rather reasonable, carrying a base price of just over $23,000.
