Test drive by Robin Bird

FIRST families went for big 4x4 vehicles to take the children to school. Then came the people carrier. Now small cars have become big. The family saloon is being stretched into a mini MPV multi purpose vehicle.

In other words it is about the size of an estate car but is more roomy and versatile. To find out what I mean, look at the new Mazda Premacy. I borrowed a demo model parked outside Mazda dealers Windsors, of Wallasey.

The driving position feels like a people carrier and there is loads of space but it is a family car. Inside just about every millimetre is utilised and if you want to keep the family amused at the weekend, here's a good game. One hundred comfortable configurations. Whether you are off on holiday, or just a run to the garden centre, whatever, move the seats around in this five door vehicle.

For a start is a family five seater, or a van, or anything in between. Seats fold, the rear seats can be folded again,or even removed completely in a matter of seconds. To put in a couple of mountain cycles, take out the three rear seats and pile in the bikes.

Moving furniture, of buying a cash and carry carpet? By double folding the back seat and pushing down the backrest of the front passenger seat, you will have the length and width.

Maybe, just four adults, two couples, want to go on a trip and the women want a good chat (chauvinist speaking). Well, removed the middle seat and the outer ones can be turned around allowing the women a face to face with plenty of legroom. Meanwhile, you can impress the guy with the performance from the 1.8 engine, it really is lively. The GSi model, by the way, has a 12 volt electrical socket which can power all kinds of accessories. In fact, the Premacy contains all kinds of gadgets.

In fact, you could take the family along and ask the salesman could you all play with the Premacy seats? Good game but he would, quite rightly, tell you to play the game at home after buying the vehicle.

Compromise by taking a test drive in the Premacy, the premise is that you will buy one at £14,375 and play happy families for ever more.

Contact Windsors Mazda, Harrison Drive, Wallasey on 639-3030.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.