Mazda CX-7: first official deets

News :: 14 December 2005 :: Filed under Crossover, Four wheel drive, MPV / People carrier, SUV, Mazda, Mazda CX-7, Europe & UK, US

[Click on an image to view]

MX-Crossport becomes BMW X5-bashing reality

It’s not often that a great looking concept survives the transition to production without the combined kill-joys of corporate bean counters and safety regulations reducing it to a feeble simulcrum of the original. But Mazda has released the first pictures and details of the MX-7 crossover vehicle. And it’s near-as-dammit identical to the MX-Crossport concept shown at the Detroit show in January.

Exactly one year later at the upcoming 2006 Detroit show, Mazda will officially take the wraps off the new CX-7. Power comes courtesy of Mazda’s familiar 2.3-litre turbo four pot lump in 244bhp and 258lb/ft trim. A part-time four-wheel drive system which directs power to the rear wheels when conditions require will be standard.

So, exactly what sort of a car is the CX-7? Well, the official spiel is that it combines the raised driving position of an SUV with the flexible cabin space of an MPV and the sporty driving characteristics of a, uhm, sporty thing. It’s the best of all possible worlds. Well, possibly. But it’s certainly a looker.

US sales will start in April, with we lesser European mortals joining the fun later in 2006. No word yet on pricing.

Those before and after shots in full:

Very little lost in translation. Top, the Crossport concept. Bottom, the new CX-7 real deal.