Diesel CX-7 revealed in Geneva

Mazda Australia plans to extend the CX-7 range and is looking into a number of alternative variants announced with the upgraded CX-7 range due here later this year.

Among the different models being considered for Australia are the current 2.3-litre turbocharged car with automatic transmission, a front-wheel drive-only 2.5-litre petrol variant announced at the Toronto Motor Show a couple of weeks ago, and a 2.2-litre turbodiesel manual variant that has made its debut with the rest of the facelifted range at the Geneva Auto Salon.

"At this stage, we may get it late this year," says Mazda Australia's National PR Manager, Glenn Butler of the upgraded model.

"We'll be looking at all available drivetrain options and trying to figure out if we can fit them into an Australian range."

The Carsales Network asked Butler what was the likelihood that we'll see the diesel as part of the range when it arrives.

"It's hard to know -- we don't have a history of diesels in our SUVs. And that said, we don't have a history of manuals. It's a tough one. I think the CX-7 we've currently got, with the turbocharged engine appeals to one particular type of consumer and the diesel would complement that nicely. I'd struggle to put a number against it."

Butler believes that the short-term lack of an automatic transmission to match the diesel in the CX-7 will hinder sales -- and that could throw the whole business case for the diesel CX-7 into doubt. Interestingly, Mazda does have plans afoot for a diesel/automatic powertrain combination in the not-too-distant future, but it won't arrive in time for the launch of the facelifted CX-7.

"We're not going to an automatic with any diesel before our new generation drivetrains in 2010 -- the end of 2010, early 2011," Butler advised.

As for the other CX-7 variants that we may see here, the naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre model sounds like a middling-to-fair prospect.

"There was a petrol update shown at the Toronto Auto Show about a week and a half ago -- and they showed a 2.5-litre front-wheel drive version as well."

"The deal is not done, as far as we're concerned," he continued, "but I think there's potential for all of them in Australia".

Drawing a parallel between the CX-7 as a front-wheel drive model and the Hyundai Tucson City, the Mazda is likely to come in at a significantly higher price, but would still be an entry-level model. That doesn't mean it would be a 'loss-leader' says Butler.

"We're not interested in loss-leaders, every car we bring to Australia has to basically stand on its own four wheels, if you like."

Based on the European specifications for the Geneva press launch, the current turbo petrol four is upgraded to 191kW of power and 380Nm of torque, from 3000rpm. Those figures are based on the engine coupled to a six-speed manual transmission we don't currently see in Australia.

The turbodiesel, according to the Euro specs, is the same 2.2-litre four fitted to the Mazda6, but detuned to 127kW of power and producing the same peak torque figure of 400Nm from 2000rpm. This engine is Euro V-compliant and uses 7.5L/100km of fuel, according to combined-cycle testing. As for all Mazda diesels currently, it drives through a manual transmission only. Unlike the 2.3-litre petrol variant, which employs conventional hydraulic power assist for the steering, the diesel features an electro-hydraulic system in which the hydraulic pressure is provided by an electric motor. Mazda claims fuel efficiency gains for this type of steering, without the loss of steering feel that can be typical of electrically-assisted systems.

Mazda has upgraded the CX-7 inside and out, but of importance at least the equal of the new looks and added comfort is the extra safety of the body shell, boasting an improvement in torsional rigidity to the tune of five per cent.

The new CX-7 can be distinguished from the current car by a larger grille, more chrome trim, revised rear bumper, larger roof spoiler and new designs of alloy wheels -- in 18-inch or 19-inch diameters.

Inside, the CX-7 has been redesigned with new steering wheel, new centre console lid/armrest, revised instrument graphics, new Piano Black or metallic-look decorative trim on the centre fascia and anti-glare chrome highlights for the vents.

No pricing information for the new car is available at present, but depending on how the Australian dollar fares in the meantime, expect to pay more for the new model, spec-for-spec.