Mazda Press Release
Arriving in the North American market in the spring of 2006, the five-seat Mazda CX-7 embodies an astute blend of sports car vitality and SUV practicality, resulting in a fun-to-drive Mazda SUV with the soul of a sports car. It is a vehicle that brings together performance and design like never before.
Prominent front bumpers, A-pillars rooted at the body’s leading edge and Mazda’s signature five-pointed grille make this model instantly recognisable as a Mazda. Large 18-inch aluminium wheels and a sporty interior fulfil every car enthusiast’s innate desire to jump in and drive, while high quality is achieved through detailed craftsmanship.
The Mazda CX-7 is powered by the MZR 2.3-litre DISI (Direct Injection Spark Ignition) TURBO, an intercooled 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine, that produces a hearty 244 bhp at 5,000 rpm.
Mazda CX-7: SUV with the Soul of a Sports Car
Mazda’s new five-seat CX-7 is a refreshing departure from the fleet of traditional SUVs currently on American roads. Produced on entirely Mazda-derived platform architecture, Mazda CX-7 embodies an astute blend of sports car vitality and SUV practicality, resulting in a fun-to-drive Mazda SUV with the soul of a sports car. It is a vehicle that brings together performance and design like never before.
“The North American market continues to play a pivotal role in Mazda Motor Corporation’s global future,” said Jim O’Sullivan, President and CEO, Mazda North American Operations. “Vehicles such as CX-7 and others in the pipeline, designed and engineered specifically for the North American market, will make Mazda an important and influential force in the industry. This vehicle represents everything a Mazda SUV should be: powerful, great styling, detailed craftsmanship and fun to drive. Mazda at its finest.”
The 60-40 split rear seat accommodates three people in comfort and quickly converts to an extension of the 29.9 cu. ft. boot, bringing capacity up to 58.6 cu. ft. In fact, the 39‑inch‑long rear compartment (seats up) offers more stowage space than some larger SUVs.
Matching the sporty appearance is Mazda CX-7’s powerful and dynamic performance. While key powertrain features are shared with the Mazda 6 MPS (set for launch in January in the UK), the Mazda CX-7 is exclusively tuned to deliver 258 lb-ft of torque at just 2,500 rpm for healthy throttle response.
Combined with Mazda’s six-speed Sport automatic transmission, at least 99 per cent of maximum torque is available all the way to 5,000 rpm where peak horsepower is delivered. Furthermore, the Mazda CX-7 is estimated to deliver over 23 mpg in combined driving.
A sturdy body structure, fully independent suspension, four-wheel ventilated disc brakes with standard four-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control System (TCS) support Mazda CX-7’s athletic road manners.
Mazda CX-7 drivers can select the driving system to suit their needs: front-wheel drive or Mazda’s Active Torque Split All-Wheel Drive system. With Active Torque Split All‑Wheel Drive, a computer controlled coupling feeds up to 50 per cent of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels for exceptional handling, whether the driving conditions are dry and fast or slippery and paced.
Mazda CX-7 arrives in the spring of 2006 as a 2007 model for the North American market. The specifications of the European version will be revealed in late 2006.