Mazda's new off-roader gets tough

By ALASTAIR SLOANE

Mazda describes its new four-wheel-drive Tribute as having the soul of a sports car - if only because its MX-5 engineers helped to develop the off-roader.

But the Tribute promises as much innovation in the lightweight off-road segment as the MX-5 did in the soft-top market 10 years ago.

Mazda briefly trotted out the Tribute in Sydney the other day, soon after it confirmed that its upgraded MX-5 two-seater would go on sale in New Zealand after Big Boys' Toys.

The Tribute will be available in March, powered by either a 2-litre four-cylinder engine producing 97kW and mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, or a 3-litre V6 developing 150kW with a four-speed automatic.

The monocoque body sits on a 2620mm wheelbase and comes with independent suspension all round - MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link set-up at the rear.

The Tribute is Mazda's first foray into the lifestyle soft-road market. It is slightly bigger than its main Toyota RAV-4 and Honda CR-V rivals and offers features the others don't, the most notable being on-demand four-wheel-drive.

The front-drive CR-V uses a viscous coupling to provide drive to the rear wheels once the front begin to slip. This can be called part-time four-wheel-drive, although it is highly effective. The Toyota RAV-4 has permanent four-wheel-drive.

But the Tribute can switch between part-time and full-time four-wheel-drive, thanks to a button on the dashboard. In normal circumstances the system works like the CR-V's, automatically switching drive from the front to all four wheels when necessary.

But when the going gets tricky - downhill and under brakes on a slippery track, for example - the Tribute driver can electronically select the added security of full-time four-wheel-drive. The soft-road market has been calling out for this option for some time.

The five-seater Tribute, like the CR-V, uses a column gearshift, a layout which frees up the front floor for storage. The RAV-4 has five on the floor and a centre console.

The Tribute shares its platform and components with parent company Ford's Escape, which went on sale in America this year and is due here next. But Mazda developed the Tribute at its Hofu plant in Japan. The separate development means the Tribute has not been tainted by the Escape's ongoing problems.

Ford of America last week issued an unprecedented fourth recall of the Escape, to probe possibly defective speed control cables.

The facelifted MX-5 comes with more power and torque, a six-speed manual gearbox, better ABS brakes, more equipment - and a new nose, including grille and slimmer headlights. The tail lights have also been redesigned.

The 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine has been fitted with sequential valve timing, which improves breathing at all engine speeds.

This technology also lifts power from 106kW at 6500 rpm in the previous model to 113kW at 7000 rpm. Torque also improves, from 165Nm at 4500 rpm to 181Nm at 5000 rpm.

The car's body has been stiffened by 22 per cent to further aid handling, a process that pushes up weight 15kg to 1085kg. The suspension has been tuned and the dampers revised.

The extra power of the engine is certainly noticeable but it doesn't force you back in the seat. Where the new car shines is in its handling - better than ever, if that's possible - and through use of the flexible six-speed gearbox.

Inside, the MX-5 features a new-look centre console and new seats, which offer more comfort and better lateral support. But the steering wheel is still non-adjustable. Instruments have been restyled in ivory, and standard equipment now includes a single CD. The soft-top MX-5 costs $44,950 and the hard-top $47,450. Both prices include GST.