LA MOTOR SHOW: Mazda CX-9 sketched

Here's the first official image of Mazda's long-awaited second-generation CX-9, which will make its world debut at the Los Angeles motor show on November 17 before going on sale in Australia early next year.

The replacement for Mazda's original seven-seat SUV, which arrived in Australia way back in 2007, looks a lot more distinctive than its eight-year-old forebear, featuring a sharper nose punctuated by slimmer headlights.

Mazda says the new CX-9, which was spied testing in California in August will also be more upmarket, living up to its role as the Japanese car-maker's flagship model.

"The all-new CX-9 builds on the feeling of life imbued by KODO [design] and moves toward a more premium design execution that befits a three-row mid-size crossover SUV," said Mazda.

Indeed, Mazda Australia told motoring.com.au in August the crossover will be a better vehicle than its chief rivals including Toyota's segment-leading Prado and Kluger seven-seaters, both of which are about four times as popular than the current CX-9.

Mazda has confirmed the new CX-9 will fully incorporate its latest SKYACTIV technologies, meaning a larger version of the newer platform under the Mazda2, 3 and 6, and the shift from a Ford-designed 3.7-litre petrol V6 to what's expected to be a new turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine.

As now, there will be no diesel engine, but the first four-cylinder CX-9 is expected to bring big efficiency gains over the existing CX-9, which consumes 11.0L/100km even in entry-level 2WD Classic form (priced from $43,770).

The replacement of the CX-9, which tops Mazda Australia's current line-up at $61,680 for the GT AWD flagship, marks the SKYACTIV renewal of Mazda's entire model range.

The new CX-9 is aimed primarily at North America, Russia and Australia, but will not be sold in Europe.