Official: CX-7 is Mazda's new crossover!

MAZDA has confirmed its MX-Crossport concept will become a production reality, and has officially named it the CX-7.

CX-7 will be manufactured in Hiroshima, Japan in 2006, taking many of its design cues from the MX-Crossport, which debuted at the 2005 Detroit motor show in January.

To be launched first in the United States, CX-7 is also strong possibility to be sold in Australia, where it would join the mid-sized Tribute SUV in Mazda’s SUV line-up.

Mazda says it continues to study the feasibility of launching CX-7 in markets outside the US, including Australia.

"Mazda president Hisakazu Imaki is committed to bringing new products to market and expanding our line of vehicles," said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazda North American Operations.

"The addition of the Mazda CX-7 is great news and a critical step forward for us in North America.

"To successfully grow our business, we have to be true to our core values and for any vehicle to wear the Winged-M logo on the grille, it must have the soul of a sports car. I am convinced this vehicle will deliver," he said.

The new crossover model’s CX-7 nomenclature follows Mazda’s recent global naming strategy, in which crossover-type SUVs will carry the CX designation, alongside rotary-engined sports cars which carry the RX designation (RX-8) and piston-engined sports cars which carry the MX designation (MX-5).

According to Mazda, its "core production vehicles" will continue to carry the name ‘Mazda’ and a number, based on vehicle size (Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda5, Mazda6).

Tribute, MPV and B-Series will continue with their current nomenclature until further notice, says Mazda.

Based on the Mazda6 platform, the MX-Crossport concept comprises seating for four, an MPS-style grille and RX-8-style wheelarches wrapped around 20-inch wheels.

While the production version will be aimed squarely at Nissan’s forthcoming Murano luxury SUV, it’s possible CX-7 will feature seven-seat and all-wheel drive options in addition to the standard model’s five seats and two-wheel drive.

While the fitment of a V6 is almost certain, transmission choices expected said to include five and six-speed manual, CVT and a new dual-clutch design.

MX-Crossport is 4630mm long, 1930mm wide and has a long 2795mm wheelbase.

As previously reported, Mazda Australia has forecast that the four VFACTS SUV segments will combine to consistently sell more than the large or small passenger car segments within three years.

So it’s no surprise local managing director Doug Dickson is keen on CX-7.

"It’s absolutely wonderful, we are delighted with it," Mr Dickson told GoAuto when MX Crossport was revealed to the press last December.

"It appears to be aimed at a different market to the Tribute, although it is a little bit difficult to tell from a concept.

"We are told it has good interior space, it has high style and it is probably geared more toward the sporting and personal end of the market.

"We like its style and we believe it (a production version) will fit within the way Mazda Australia markets. We can certainly be positive about that."