SEMA: Mazda CX-5, MX-5 concepts in Vegas
Using three CX-5s as blank canvases, Mazda has created a trio of distinct cruisers, and a race car MX-5 to bootMazda gave fans an eyeful at the 2012 SEMA Motor Show in Las Vegas, displaying a quartet of 'tuner' concepts based on two of its popular new models - the MX-5 sports car and CX-5 SUV.
Mazda's trio of tweaked CX-5 'crossovers' were created in-house by Mazda's North American Operations Design team, which Director Derek Jenkins calls the "perfect 'clean slate' vehicle from which our Southern California team could create the concept vehicles you see here today".
The first of the three models is the Mazda CX-5 180, designed to appeal to the board sport lovers. Fitted with snowboards and surfboards, the car's interior is finished in aqua blue leather, and the door inserts detail temperature variances, average snowfall and tide information, not to mention GPS coordinates to provide occupants with weather information vital to the board riders.
Being a show car 20-inch alloy wheels were an essential touch, as was a wild paint job, in this case a topographical map of Big Bear Lake and Point Dume in Southern California.
The CX-5 Urban is the second model in the triumvirate, and probably the coolest looking of the bunch with its multi-hued matte grey exterior paint. Wheels are massive 22-inch diameter jobs, shod with sporty rubber to improve grip in the concrete jungles of the US, housed inside flared wheel arches that give the car a wide body look. A loud exhaust system is certain to wake the neighbours.
The third CX-5 concept is Dempsey, named after actor Patrick Dempsey and developed to appeal to his two primary passions, car racing and cycling. We're not sure how it does this other than wearing 20-inch black chrome alloy wheels and featuring a bike rack and roof mounted Thule cargo box. Powered by Mazda's turbo-diesel 2.2-litre engine, the CX-5 Dempsey features a black leather interior with contrasting red stitching and the exterior is finished with the Anatomy Gray paint.
Mazda also unveiled its Super25 concept at the SEMA Show. Based on the MX-5 sports car, the Super25 is an evolution of the Super20 concept shown in 2010. But rather than a loud turbocharged trouble maker, the Super25 has been designed as an endurance racer, a lightweight, compact sports car built for 24 hour racing.
As is the norm for any race car, the Mazda MX-5 Super25 concept has a stripped-out interior to reduce weight, and features a roll-cage for improved crash safety. Featuring a fixed roof in lieu of the folding top, the concept is equipped with four-pod headlights fitted with ultra-powerful lamps to improve night driving, and it rides on race-spec 17-inch alloy wheels fitted with BF Goodrich 225/45 ZR17 rubber.
The spartan interior's major features are suede steering wheel and Evo competition racing seats with six point harnesses, all supplied by Sparco. The Mazda MX-5 race car is fitted with Brembo brakes and a short-throw gear shifter but Mazda makes no mention of engine modifications or power output.
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