Mazda CX-5 Revealed Ahead Of Frankfurt Debut

2012 MAZDA CX-5

Mazda has revealed the all-new 2012 CX-5 compact SUV ahead of its global unveiling at next month's Frankfurt Motor Show.

Previewed by the Minagi concept revealed earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show, the CX-5 is the first of Mazda's new models to feature the company's new 'Kodo' design language.

On the styling front, the CX-5 looks to be a subtly softened version of the sharply-styled concept. Much of the Minagi's look has carried over into the CX-5's design, including the five-point grille and the grille-to-headlight chrome trim.

Along with the earlier Shinari sports concept and a mysterious Mazda3 rendering, the CX-5 offers an early look at what Mazda's new Kodo design language has in store for the company's passenger car range.

On the sizing side, the CX-5 measures in at 4540mm long and 1840mm wide, with a sizeable 997mm of rear legroom - that's 72mm more than the current CX-7, in fact.

The CX-5 will also be among the first of Mazda's next-generation cars to feature its new SkyActiv petrol and diesel engines, transmissions and lightweight construction methods.

The engine line-up for the European-market CX-5 will include the new SkyActiv-G 2.0 petrol engine, along with the SkyActiv-D 2.2 diesel engine - the latter being offered in Standard Power and High Power tunes.

Mazda has also confirmed that the SkyActiv-D variants will be equipped with a front-wheel-drive layout and the SkyActiv-MT manual transmission.

CX-5-specific power and performance figures have not been revealed, although it is known that the SkyActiv-G 2.0 litre engine produces 113kW and 194Nm of torque in the 2012 Mazda3 SP20.

When the Mazda3 SP20 arrives in Australia, the SkyActiv-G engine will be paired with the SkyActiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmission.

Local fuel consumption figures have not been confirmed, but US-market figures show 8.4 l/100km in the city and 5.8 l/100km in highway driving.

Power figures have also been revealed for the SkyActiv-D diesel engine in at least one trim, listed at 136kW and 420Nm of torque.

The new diesel was tested by TMR in a heavily-camouflaged next-generation Mazda6 earlier this year, paired with the new SkyActiv six-speed automatic transmission. The engine has been engineered to pass Euro 6 emissions regulations.

The CX-5 and the Mazda3 SP20 SkyActiv will also be the first Mazda models to feature i-stop, the company’s new idling stop system.

Mazda CX-5 In Australia

Australian dates for the CX-5 have not been announced, but an early 2012 launch has been confirmed.

Officially titled the 64th Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA), the Frankfurt Motor Show will open to the press on September 13 and 14, and to the public from September 15 through 25, 2011.