FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: Mazda to build off-road coupe
Based on Mazda3 platform, Koeru ('CX-4') concept will be sportier than CX-5, and we reckon it will enter productionIs this the new CX-4? Mazda's big unveiling in Frankfurt this year is the Koeru, a new design study that nominally fills a gap in the range between CX-3 and CX-5.
The Koeru rides on the Mazda3 platform, which is also shared with CX-5. Mazda describes the Koeru as a 'crossover' (or CUV, as the Americans call it), which makes it a lower-riding alternative to SUVs.
According to Mazda, 'Koeru' is a Japanese word meaning 'exceed' or 'to go beyond'. The manufacturer regards the concept car as a segment-buster, making its name a fitting choice.
Boasting sleek, handsome looks the Koeru remains true to Mazda's Kodo styling concept, which is predicated on "the power and vitality of a wild animal while maintaining a sense of refined dignity," as Mazda explains in its press release.
The Koeru could be a surprise package in the local market, should it enter production and reach Australia, but the danger is that it could also snatch sales from the CX-5 – already far and away the strongest selling entrant in the medium SUV segment.
There's no word yet on whether the Koeru will enter production, but every recent show car from Mazda has morphed into a production car, whether it was the Hazumi (Mazda2), Takeri (Mazda6) or Minagi (CX-5).
The Koeru will make its debut in Frankfurt on September 17, when more details will be revealed.
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