From Autoweek (http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=103012)

Car News briefs: Mazda CX-7 spied; VW, unions haggle over future of compact SUV
AUTOWEEK
Posted Date: 8/19/05
A little bird dropped this photo through our mail slot. Speculation is that the 2006 Mazda CX-7 wagon/minivan/sport/ute is based on the Mazda 6. Mazda sources confirm the CX-7 will be powered by a 2.3-liter turbo gasoline direct injection and available in either two- or all-wheel drive.

Looks like he's taking that corner pretty hard... lol

Blah, gay. how do u market something like this in the U.S. Only a station wagon w/a hemi will do well here

Blah, gay. how do u market something like this in the U.S. Only a station wagon w/a hemi will do well here

Nissan sells more Muranos in the US, pretty much the CX-7's direct competitor, every year than Mazda sells of anything in its' lineup. And Murano sales have gone up very quickly becoming one of Nissan's most popular vehicles in just a couple years sales are up 40% this year alone.

Here is the prototype next to the real deal. Mirrors are bland, sills have changed, fog lights are different of course, hood profile has changed, door handles are different, rear door handles are fitted, rear centre mounted radio antenna appears to be fitted too. Grille is definitely new. New wheels too, unfortunately. They look they might be 18's though.......



http://www.autoweek.com/images/news/103012
http://www.truebluetitan.com/content/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/mazda_mx-crossport_1.jpg

All-in-All it didn't change too much from the concept in the exterior. The only signifincant changes that are obvious are the larger mirrors and smaller wheels, which were both very expected. Those concept mirrors are way too small for most people and the 20"s, though hot, aren't likely to show up on a production vehicle either.

Actually.......looking closer at the profile, there appears to be a lot more glass. The windscreen is not so laid back and the side windows look to be taller. It's lost that chopped rod look...... :(

Yeah, the roofline doesn't rake down nearly as much. Surely made as a compromise to safety -- imagine the blindspots on that concept -- as well as cargo volume probably.

The concept had some weird panoramic rear-view TV screens to deal with the blindspots. Not gonna see that on the production I'm sure.

Sigma....get an avatar. 600 posts is too many for a newbie :)

It is pretty cool that it retained as much of the original as it did though. I will be in a position to buy another vehicle when this thing is released, and I was wanting something along the lines of this vehicle, so more than likely I will be a buyer.

It is pretty cool that it retained as much of the original as it did though. I will be in a position to buy another vehicle when this thing is released, and I was wanting something along the lines of this vehicle, so more than likely I will be a buyer.

You and me both....

Blah, gay. how do u market something like this in the U.S. Only a station wagon w/a hemi will do well here


"hello im the moron of the day"

Mirrors are stil from the minivan mules and will probably change before final. the glass is definetly taller but i dontthink the hood has changed that much. the grille will be sligthly different but it there is no way to tell thru the mask. i would almost bet you that its driving in irvine just from the glimpse of street.the wheels are probably rx-8 wheels. definetly 18s.

Gomez - notice on the concept picture that the forward edge of the front door is straight and doesnt match to the window? thats where part of your sill change comes from. lets just hope theget the stance right because that is one of the most attractive bits to me is the stance of the show car.

Mirrors are still from the minivan mules and will probably change before final.

I hope your right mate.......those ones are gahddamn ugly.

More new almost naked pic's of new CX-7 here
http://www.mph-online.com/web/spyphotos/009
Looks more like the concept. My dealer comfirmed will be taking orders in October.
Hope it is offered with a manual transmission but I fear not.

I highly doubt that they'll offer it with a manual transmission. In comparing the photos they were fairly true to the concept version. I look forward to seeing their color choices.

Concept:
http://www.truebluetitan.com/content/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/Mazda%2520MX-Crossport.jpg
Mule:
http://www.truebluetitan.com/content/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/spy%20photo.jpg

The differences that I see:
Smaller wheels
Less agressive body styling on the front and sides (but it still looks good)
Larger Mirrors
Rear door handles
Wider hatch door
roof antennae

I'm still looking forward to this ride!

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=107039 more pics of the white one

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/il/features/future/07.mazda.cx.7/07.mazda.cx7.f34.500.jpg

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/il/features/future/07.mazda.cx.7/07.mazda.cx7.pro.500.jpg

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/il/features/future/07.mazda.cx.7/07.mazda.cx7.r34.500.jpg

note (gomez;))the side mirrors have an angle to them now that was not there on the black mule. much better now.

eh i could be wrong abotu tthe mirrors

They've duplicated the front fog light treatment with the tail lights. It's a tad more prominent than that seen on the prototype. I like it.

Wish they'd kept the bulbous RX-8 style wheel openings of the Crossport though. They're much tamer on the CX-7. Hope the CX-7 gets the Crossport exhaust tips too, they look pretty ordinary on the spy pics.

Anyone hear anything new about this car? :shocking:

^not really, it's been discussed here pretty well.

Maybe I can get my wife into one of these...hmmmm...lol

Does anyone have any pricing information for it? It's going to come with a Turbo I-4 so without a V6 it might be cheaper.

there was one of the prototypes that a few people got to see at 7stock. dealers already have their allocation orders done- and there isnt even a full spec deck yet.

I saw the prototype whilst out there but it was covered down. I believe there is only one driving in the US but I could be wrong.
Paul.

how can yall be exciting about this thing, i mean..its ugly.

how can yall be exciting about this thing, i mean..its ugly.
You are the only one I know that doesn't like it. But you know what they say...Different strokes for different folks.

I don't think it's too bad, if I was looking for something like that I'd consider it...

You are the only one I know that doesn't like it. But you know what they say...Different strokes for different folks.
well he is the wankleman ;) :mdrmed:

Is it just me or does that rear look like the RX300's?

Yeah, aft of the fenders it looks to me like a Santa Fe mated with an RX300.

The front fenders don't look like they've changed much to me.

The overal front end... probably VERY close. Look at pics of the new JDM MPV.

There's no reason not to offer a manual on the top model. They have the trans from the MS6 and MS3. Do they even have an auto for those two cars? Which leads me to wonder if they'll put an auto on the lower V6 model and offer a stick on the top t/c I-4 model with sportier suspension and large wheels.

I want to buy one. However I will wait until I actual see one at the dealship before making my final decision. Yell I might even wait until the second year. I'm not into repeating the wait I had to undertake for my RX8 nor I'm I into the recall BS I have had to deal with.

Do they even have an auto for those two cars? Which leads me to wonder if they'll put an auto on the lower V6 model and offer a stick on the top t/c I-4 model with sportier suspension and large wheels.

What V6? I haven't seen anything anywhere referring to a V6.

C'mon Japan8, spill ya guts. Whad'ya know about a V6??? :)

I've seen official Mazda memo's announcing the turbo, and nothing in there has hinted anything about V6's. Has there been V6 news in Japan?

No no word on a　V6 anywhere actually. However... I don't believe that there is an auto transmission for this Turbo DI MZR engine. Much of the competition uses a V6. I don't think that they'd offer it with only that engine and a NA 2.3L I-4 isn't going to have enough grunt to move this vehicle....

It looks like an 8 with glandular disease

My MT mag that came in has more information...or, actually just maybe slightly more information and it seems it will have a Turbo I4 but making 200HP so maybe they can find an auto for it that way????

I'll go read again and let you all know what MT said about it.

No no word on a　V6 anywhere actually. However... I don't believe that there is an auto transmission for this Turbo DI MZR engine. Much of the competition uses a V6. I don't think that they'd offer it with only that engine and a NA 2.3L I-4 isn't going to have enough grunt to move this vehicle....

I see your point. However, this car won't be marketed as an average SUV. Read this extract of a memo sent to dealers a few months back:


The CX-7 is an exciting new combination of sports car personality, SUV utility, and distinctive Mazda flair. The CX-7 is a Mazda exclusive, built in Hiroshima, Japan, utilizing a Mazda-developed platform and engine. The platform takes engineering from both the Mazda6 and Mazda3. The engine is a 2.3 litre DISI (Direct Injection Spark Ignition) Turbo...........


The CX-7 is a fresh approach to the SUV market that customers have not seen before. It offers a combination of:

Performance - near sports car handling, braking, and acceleration.
Design – sophisticated sports car styling and craftsmanship inside and out.
Mazda’s Soul of a Sports Car – our unique brand DNA that means a one-of-a-kind vehicle and driving experience.


We’re confident the CX-7 will be a hit in the market. Please look for more information on the CX-7 as we approach the launch of the vehicle.

This is a performance SUV. Maybe it will be offered with an automatic....maybe it wont.

Question answered.....

The new MPV has this engine....and it will come with an auto.

http://www.mpv.mazda.co.jp/pre/

Damn it...I thought this thread said rx7 =/.

Damn it...I thought this thread said rx7 =/.

:mdrmed: :mdrmed: :mdrmed: :mdrmed:

Mazda Australia confirmed that the CX-7 will be available down under in 2007 after the US release.

They say the 7 will be marketed (pitched) above the Tribute, so I gather it will cost more, and what about the Tribute, looking somewhat old now, but, it does have a V6 option though.

I cant get that excited about the CX-7, its just another sloth SUV/4WD combo that's a glorified pick-up with a rear cabin.
Great for all those overweight people who cant fit in a "normal" vehicle.
I am sick to death of all these tarted trucks on our roads, performance and sophistication they are not.
At least the Japs get the best out of these type of transport units.
There's already too much variety available in the market now, I think Mazda are making an error with this one...hope I am wrong for the products sake.