From Autoweek

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

 

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.......

 

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.

 

You and me both....

 

"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.

 

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:

Mule:


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...ticleId=107039 more pics of the white one







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?

 

^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.