It won't be long before we get our first intimate taste of the all-new Mazda CX-5 compact SUV at its world premiere in Frankfurt, but we now have some interesting news about the North American variant, courtesy of Hideaki Tanaka, manager of the CX-5 program.
During the first press test drive event of a pre-production model, Tanaka told Autonews that the CX-5 will arrive in the States early next year, adding that while Mazda has not finalized pricing and packaging, it will likely carry a base MSRP of around $20,000, close to $3,000 less than the larger CX-7 ($22,785 with delivery).
In the U.S. the CX-5 will compete against the likes of Honda's next generation CR-V (expected this fall), the VW Tiguan and the Hyundai Tucson.
At launch, the new compact crossover model will be offered with a modified version of Mazda's SKYACTIV-G gasoline 2.0-liter engine, which in Europe is said to be rated 165HP and around 150 lbs.-feet of torque.
Mazda engineers told reporters during the presentation that the U.S. spec four-cylinder will likely feature a lower compression ratio (13:1 instead of 14:1) so it can run on 87 octane regular gasoline, and as a result, output may be lower.
Interestingly, an unnamed Mazda source also told Autonews that the company plans to bring a diesel version of the CX-5 over to the States. It will be equipped with the same 2.2-liter four-cylinder oil burner producing a little over 160-horsepower and 310 lbs.-feet of torque found in the European model.
Story source: Autonews [Sub.Req.]
5 Comments:
'Like the exterior size and design, and I like what can be seen of the interior, but power figures for the gas engine are completely unacceptable to me. 'Hope Mazda decides to bring the diesel.
Its nice. Pity there's no Americans with money left to buy it.
I like everything about this car! For Mazda owners, like me, who want to stay in a compact sized vehicle...this is perfect! I do hope they bring the diesel over and a CX-5 Speed version! Cheaper alternatives to the upscale German turbocharged CUVs!
Too bad about the fugly grill.
FINALLY someone is importing a small-sized SUV with an efficient diesel, which can actually tow something!!! Now please please please make it available as a simple, no-doodad base model with a MANUAL transmission!!!
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