Mazda CX-7

[AdamRM038]

All New Mazda CX-7 to be Launched in 2006
Production Version of Mazda MX-Crossport Concept SUV

Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today announced that the vehicle shown as the MX-Crossport at January's North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Mich., will formally move from concept to production vehicle. Mazda also announced that the vehicle will be named Mazda CX-7, fitting into the company's global naming strategy.

"The addition of the CX-7 to the Mazda lineup is a critical step forward for us in terms of our ability to grow Mazda's business in North America," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, MNAO. "In order to succeed, we have to be true to our core values and for any vehicle to wear the Winged-M logo on the grille, it must have the soul of a sportscar."

In Mazda's new global naming strategy, crossover-type sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) will carry the CX designation (CX-7); core vehicles will continue to carry the name MAZDA and a number, based on vehicle size (MAZDA2, MAZDA3, MAZDA5, MAZDA6); rotary-engined sports cars carry the RX designation (RX-8) and piston-engined sports cars carry the MX designation (MX-5, as will be seen on the all-new Mazda MX-5 Miata in the United States). Tribute, MPV and B-Series Truck will continue with their current nomenclature.

The production Mazda CX-7 will pick up many of the design cues of the concept vehicle, and will be built solely in Hiroshima, Japan. More information about the vehicle will be available as the year progresses.

[millyowner]

That dash display is the ****!

[The_Saint]

Posted here already...


More info... and spy shots of the CX-mule

Pics:
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Source: the car connection

At last January's North American International Auto Show in Detroit , Mazda showed its MX-Crossport concept vehicle, and noted that such a sporty crossover vehicle was definitely headed to production. More recently, Mazda announced that the new SUV would be named the CX-7. Now these latest photos capture a prototype CX-7 undergoing testing in the* U.S.* southwest.

The test prototype, disguised as a minivan, was being driven in a convoy along with a BMW X5, Volkswagen Touareg, Toyota Highlander, and a Honda Pilot. This allowed the Mazda testers to thoroughly compare the performance, handling, and comfort of the new CX-7 against its competitors. It is interesting to note that Mazda would test its vehicle as compared to the BMW X5 and VW Touareg, vehicles that are notably more costly than the CX-7 will be.

Just one look at the big alloy wheels and low-profile tires is all it takes to know that this SUV is made to tear up twisty highways, not to go off-road climbing over boulders.* Indeed Mazda has already made it clear that the CX-7 will have the utility of an SUV, but the handling dynamics of a sports sedan.

The size of the CX-7 will likely be similar to the MX-Crossport concept vehicle, which is 182.3 inches in length, 76.0 inches wide, and 64.2 inches high, riding on a wheelbase of 110.0 inches. The engine will likely be a 3.0- to 3.5-liter V-6.

The new CX-7 is expected to be introduced in late 2006 or early 2007.

[Spoken Deity]

this car looks remotly dope...YAY

[broomhelga]

i would like to drive one

[rnick02]

that thing is sweet looking. i would drive one, thats for sure.

[roofadoofalus]

the radio console to that looks nuts

[import_guru78]

I work at a dealer in ATL, GA...we have been told by our Mazda rep that this will have the same direct injection turbo that is coming on the Mazdaspeed 6!

[roofadoofalus]

sweet

[Duncan]

Originally posted by import_guru78@Jul 23 2005, 09:18 AM
I work at a dealer in ATL, GA...we have been told by our Mazda rep that this will have the same direct injection turbo that is coming on the Mazdaspeed 6!

[snapback]290912[/snapback]

On that note, so will the all-but-confirmed Mazdaspeed 3 - which should arrive by next summer with AWD and everything if the rumor mill is to be believed. Let's hope...