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At Mazda Motors, the 1996 Mazda MPV model could just as easily stand for “mighty pretty vehicle,” as multi-purpose vehicle.

Mazda has re-engineered its new MPV inside and out, including the addition of a fourth side door, a revised instrument panel, and a more flexible seating arrangement that includes optional captain’s chairs.

Throw in a restyled front end and restyled rear bumper area, dual air bags, steel door beams, and standard anti-lock brakes and you have a redesign that was no small order.

“They tell us we can expect them in mid-November,” said Tom Roush, head of Tom Roush Lincoln-Mercury- Mazda. “The four doors is going to help us. It makes it easier for (rear seat) people to get in and out.”

The most convenient upgrade of the ’96 minivan is the addition of a rear door on the left side. The door is hinged, not sliding, and wide for easy entrance and exit or for loading parcels. The big stuff goes in a cavernous door at the back.

In revamping the new MPV, Mazda’s design and engineering teams attempted to build a vehicle that stressed functionality, comfort and convenience.

The exterior of the MPV has been updated, but styled still to retain the Mazda family look.

Visibility for driver was a very important objective, and as a result a longer frontal section makes the corners of the vehicle easier to see in tight maneuvers such as parking.

The front-end extension and modifications to the rear bumper also contribute to the vehicle’s overall length being extended 7.7 inches. Overall length now is 183.5 inches.

The 1996 MPV comes in two-wheel and four-wheel drive, and in entry level DX and more upscale LX and ES models. The DX is dropped for the four-wheel drive versions. This apparently will be no problem, as Roush said, “They’re going to make about 50 percent of them with four-wheel drive.”

All the new MPVs are powered by a more refined 3.0-liter single overhead cam V-6. Mazda is one of those manufacturers that goes for three valves per cylinder — two intakes, one exhaust — with its 180.3-cubic-inch engine putting out 155-horsepower and 169 foot-pounds of torque.

Mazda says this is the strongest normally aspirated (non-turbocharged or supercharged) 3.0-liter engine available in an import minivan. It is not done at a sacrifice of fuel mileage as there is a respectable 16 miles per gallon city, 22 mpg highway. It drops off a little with four-wheel drive to 15/19. A four-speed automatic is the only way the vehicle comes.

With the two- wheel drive, when equipped with an optional load leveling package the towing capacity is 4,300 pounds. The towing capacity of the heavier four-wheel drive is 4,000 pounds.

Interior improvements include a redesigned dash and instrument panel. A large-diameter speedometer and tachometer provide better legibility, while auxiliary gauges and warning lights have been repositioned inside the instrument cluster.

Varied seating arrangements offer five-, seven- or eight-passenger configuratio ns. Captain’s chairs have been developed for the second row of the seven-passenger version.

In the eight-passenger version, the seat back of the second row of seats can be flipped forward to serve as a table.

Prices will be announced next month, but Roush says the company has stated they will be about the same as for previous models. He expects the range to run from the $19,000 bracket up to about $30,000 for a loaded four-wheel drive with leather.

1996 Mazda MPV LX Base price: Not available. Type: Front engine, four-wheel drive, eight-passenger, mini-van. Engine: 3.0 liters, SOHC V-6, 18 valves, fuel-injected, 155-horsepower, 169 foot-pounds of torque. Transmission: Four-speed automatic. Mileage: 15 mpg city/19 mpg highway. Wheelbase: 110.4 inches. Length: 183.5 inches. Width: 71.9 inches. Height: 70.8 inches. Towing capacity: 4,000 pounds. Curb weight: 4,105 pounds. Options: Dual air conditioning, captain’s cha irs, t int glass, load leveling package, keyless entry, lace spoke wheels, two-tone paint.