Mazda to add ‘big brother' SUV but not until 2008

With Mazda just about to launch the mid-sized, turbocharged four-cylinder CX-7 locally, it has taken the surprising step of confirming the mid-size SUV is to welcome a big brother Down Under. The larger, V6-engined crossover, called CX-9, commenced production in Japan recently. It is due to be launched in the US market in early 2007 and will now arrive locally in early-2008.

The CX-9 is a three-row, seven-seat, crossover SUV that echoes the CX-7’s swoopy and sporty Mazda6 wagon-on-steroids looks. But don’t be fooled by the curves -- it’s b-i-g! Riding on a 2875mm wheelbase, its boasts dimensions of (length, width and height) 5071, 1936 and 1730mm (approx) respectively.

To put these stats into perspective, the Mazda is longer in wheelbase (+33mm) and length (+215mm), wider (+38mm) and marginally taller than Ford’s Territory. In comparison with other seven seaters, say Audi’s new Q7 full-sizer, the CX-9 is 127mm shorter in the wheelbase and a touch under 50mm narrower. Overall length is down just 15mm.

The CX-9 shares its smaller sibling’s swoopy lines. Nonetheless, Mazda says there’s adult-sized room in all three rows of seating and around 480 litres of cargo room even with the third row occupied. A 60:40 split second row offers approximately 125mm of fore-and-aft slide travel and a reclining backrest. Both second and third-row seats fold flat to allow additional storage, the maker says.

The CX-9 is powered by a new MZI 3.5-litre, V6 DOHC petrol engine rated at 186kW/325Nm. No diesel version is offered at this time.

Transmission will be six-speed auto only, driving through Mazda’s Active Torque-Split All-Wheel Drive system. The system, which also features on the 6MPS and CX-7, uses a computer-controlled centre coupling to distribute up to 50 per cent of available torque to the rear, depending on traction conditions.

US-market CX-9 buyers will have a choice of trim levels, with the top models rolling on stylish 20-inch alloys. Although no trim or pricing details have been confirmed for Australia, expect the same sort of safety armoury as offered in the USA -- there's a bevy of airbags, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), ABS, traction control and Mazda’s roll mitigation system Roll Stability Control (RSC) are all standard.

“CX-9 will be an exciting addition to our Australian range as it gives us a third model [CX-9, CX-7 and Tribute] in the important SUV segment and a dynamic entrant into the seven-seat market,” said Mazda Australia boss, Doug Dickson.

“That Mazda has agreed to re-engineer the CX-9 for right-hand-drive production just for Australia further emphasises the importance of this market to the company,” he commented.

Mazda's Alastair Doak told CarPoint the CX-9 would be aimed at a wide range of potential buyers.

"We're looking at buyers of third-row vehicles, not just SUV customers," he said. "The car is testing as best in class for third-row room and access in the USA. If you're going to buy a vehicle [with three rows], it's important that the third row is usable."

According to Doak the early announcement was to inform existing Mazda customers and the market overall.

"We've been asked if the CX-9 was coming Down Under. There was also speculation that we would take the updated MPV. This confirms the CX-9 as our vehicle of choice and lets existing [MPV] owners know that we will have a vehicle for them," he said.

Doak said he did not see the lack of a diesel option would hamper the vehicle's success.

"I'm not going to talk volumes but we believe the CX-9 has a lot more potential than the 30-50 sales [per month] we did with the MPV. People in this marketplace expect to pay for the room [in terms of running costs] -- the CX-9's new-generation petrol engine is very fuel efficient and class competitive," Doak commented.