Mazda Australia has greatly widened the choice of CX-7 models and at the same time trimmed prices and added an economical turbo-diesel variant. There's also the option of a 2WD version for the first time. Whereas the Mazda CX-7 used to open its price list at $41,965, the CX-7 can now be bought for just $33,990, plus on-road costs.
We have previously described the CX-7 as ‘A hot hatch cunningly disguised as an SUV’. It's stying is far bolder and sportier than anything else in the compact-SUV class and the use of a turbocharged petrol engine gave it plenty of punch on the road.
The underbonnet area can now house one of two other engines, both aimed at the family-car buyer rather than the sporting driver. The first engine is an economical turbo-diesel diesel, a 2.2-litre unit; the other is a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol unit that allows Mazda to trim the price of the CX-7.
The 2.5-litre petrol engine has outputs of 120 kW of power, and 205 Nm of torque at 2000 revs. That number of 205 Nm is a fair bit lower than normal for an engine of this size, Mazda explains that's due to its being tuned to give its best from low engine revs. However, on our road test we felt that some extra grunt would have been nice, and were surprised how thirsty the engine was. Typically it was using fuel at between 11 and 12 litres per hundred kilometres, admittedly in some pretty hilly regions.
This new petrol CX-7 engine comes with a five-speed automatic transmission that has some sequential manual overrides and drives only the front wheels. Simplifying the drive system and using a lighter engine than the turbo-petrol unit in the existing CX-7 allows weight to be trimmed by almost 200 kilograms. Naturally you lose the (mild) off-road ability offered by the 4WD system installed on all other variants of the vehicle.
The Mazda turbo-diesel produces 127 kilowatts, and 400 Nm at a creditably low 2000 rpm. A drawback for Australian buyers is that the diesel comes only with a six-speed manual gearbox as the drivetrain is designed for drivers who want to minimise fuel consumption and reduce emissions as far as possible. It was far more economical than the new petrol unit, using just 7.5 litres per hundred kilometres during our 150 kilometre test loop.
This diesel engine meets the highest emission standards currently set in Europe. These are significantly higher than those currently mandated for Australia. To achieve this, the engine has an ‘AdBlue’ system designed to reduce nitrous oxide emissions virtually to zero. Mazda says this is the first time this system has been used in cars in Australia, though some large trucks have it installed.
Some European turbo-diesel cars brought into Australia have the capability of using this system, but it has not been specified for Australian imports. Mazda has to be commended for taking this action.
Styling of the Mazda CX-7 has been modified slightly. But as the original has been so well accepted the changes are minimal. There's a new frontal appearance by courtesy of a different radiator grille and head- and fog-lights and by a reshaping of the front bumper.
Alterations inside the cabin consist of a revised dash with a 3D look and changes to the instrument lighting that include a blue-highlight system. A new design of steering wheel incorporates controls for various in-car systems. A larger in-dash screen is fitted to all models and features a trip computer. Satellite navigation is standard on the screens in some of the upmarket variants. There is increased use of sound deadening materials to give the CX-7 a more refined feel.
Out of sight revisions under the body have slightly improved its rigidity. This has cut the road-tyre roar we have commented on previously, though we did hear some adverse noise during a few stages of our initial test drive during the launch of the car. We will give our opinion on this after carrying out a full road test in our home area later.
On the first of January 2010, the import duty on passenger cars brought into Australia drops from ten per cent to five per cent. This will effectively reduce the price of cars by around three per cent. Mazda has made the decision to immediately pass on that three per cent to buyers of the upgraded CX-7. This means the Classic Sport is priced at $38,990 instead of $41,965; the Luxury Sports is $45,990 rather than $47,930. Note that government and dealer charges have to be added to these figures. |
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