Mazda confirms three new engines for CX-7

MAZDA Australia has confirmed it will offer two new engines – a non-turbocharged 2.5-litre petrol and a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel – with its facelifted CX-7 SUV range, which is now scheduled to arrive in November.

Seen at motor shows in North America and Europe over the past six months, the upgraded CX-7 will allow Mazda Australia to offer a broader range of model variants and a starting price below $40,000 for the compact crossover, which has been restricted to a 175kW/350Nm 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and an AWD drivetrain since its introduction here in December 2006.

That is soon to change with an ‘Activematic Classic’ front-drive five-speed auto model variant opening the Model Year 2010 range with a natural-breathing 2.5-litre DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder petrol engine – as seen in the Mazda6 and Mazda3 SP25, although in this application it is said to produce 120kW of power at 6000rpm and 205Nm of torque at 2000rpm.

Left:Mazda 2.5-litre DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder petrol engine.

In the Mazda6, the engine musters 125kW and 226Nm (the latter at 4000rpm) with the required premium-unleaded petrol, while in the SP25 it develops 122kW and 227Nm.

Mazda claims the CX-7 2.5 will return fuel consumption of 9.4L/100km, which takes the vehicle below 10L/100km for the first time.

The current 2.3 DISI (direct injection spark ignition) turbo returns 11.5L/100km on the ADR 81/01 test. This powertrain will continue unchanged, as will its combination with a six-speed automatic and Mazda’s ‘Active Torque Split’ AWD system. It will also remain available in two model grades, to be known as Activematic Classic Sports and Activematic Luxury Sports.

The introduction of diesel power to CX-7 will also see the familiar 2.2-litre DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder common-rail diesel transplanted from the Mazda6, although again the tuning is down from 136kW to 127kW at 3500rpm. Peak torque remains at 400Nm, although in the SUV it is produced at 2000rpm, whereas in the medium-sized hatchback and station wagon it is available from 1800-3000rpm.

The diesel drives all four wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox and is claimed to return 7.6L/100km. As is the case with the rest of the world, no automatic gearbox is available.

According to Mazda, Australia is the sole country to offer all three powertrains, which is no surprise given our appetite for both petrol and diesel power and the different preferences in North America and Europe. This was obvious with the US-oriented 2.5 petrol making its world debut in Toronto and New York, and the Europe-slanted diesel being unveiled in Geneva.

Mazda Australia is still to provide full specifications, pricing and equipment details for the upgraded CX-7, although as GoAuto has reported the mid-life facelift includes a revised lower airdam and larger five-point upper grille, with premium versions gaining new front foglight bezels and a chromed garnish on the bottom edge of the doors, plus extra design details for the front bumper, grille, wing mirrors and exterior door-handles.

Cabin improvements include a new multi-function steering wheel, redesigned instruments, a new central information display and higher levels of refinement.