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By EWAN
KENNEDY
19 October 2009
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.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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