Mazda tells us that its all-new compact crossover SUV, which is due next year will be called the Mazda CX-5. This is the production model derived from the Mazda Minagi concept car, which debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and is being shown at the New York International Auto Show that opened this week.
The CX-5 will be the first production vehicle to incorporate Mazda’s new design theme, along with a full range of new-generation engines, transmissions, body, and chassis.
The CX represents Mazda’s line-up of crossover SUV vehicles, which also includes the Mazda CX-7 and Mazda CX-9, the latter of which is not on sale here. The CX-5 will be the compact model in the series.
The full production Mazda CX-5 will make its international debut at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2011.
Mazda MX-5 GT
Elsewhere, Mazda is set to challenge Aston Martin, Porsche, Lotus, and BMW on the racetrack with its lightweight Mazda MX-5 GT entry in the Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship 2011.
Weighing in at just 850kg, the Mazda MX-5 GT race car will accelerate from zero to 60mph in just three seconds and hit a top speed of 160mph.
The build of the car has been an engineering challenge to get the weight as low as possible.
Jota Sport examined every nut and bolt to reduce component weight and then match the power to the weight to give the lightest and most powerful MX-5 ever built.
