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Mazda CX-9 Confirmed for Australia in 2008

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Old 11-01-2006, 04:08 PM
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Mazda CX-9 Confirmed for Australia in 2008

The exclusive CX-9 designed for the North American market is heading to Australia in 2008...

MAZDA CX-9 HEADING FOR AUSTRALIA

30-OCTOBER-2006


Seven-passenger crossover SUV delivers Zoom-Zoom with even more room

Mazda will add the CX-9, a three-row, seven-seat, crossover SUV, to its Australian line-up from early 2008.

The CX-9 will boost Mazda’s SUV range to three distinct models with the 186 kilowatt V6-powered CX-9 joining the recently updated Tribute and the crossover CX-7.

Like the Mazda CX-7, which goes on sale from November, the CX-9 is a clean break from the traditional boxy SUV. Engineered with Mazda’s "Soul of a Sportscar" signature, CX-9 deftly blends sporty driving spirit with seven-passenger SUV practicality.

The Mazda CX-9 is the insightful solution not only to the modern family’s complex needs but also to the enthusiast driver’s desires. And of course Zoom-Zoom is standard.

" P Australia.< Mazda of director managing Dickson, Doug says market,? seat seven the into entrant dynamic a and segment SUV important in model third us gives it as range Australian our to addition exciting an be will CX-9>

"That Mazda has agreed to re-engineer the CX-9 for right-hand-drive production just for Australia further emphases the importance of this market to the company".

Mazda Australia is the country’s top-selling full-line importer and in 2006 has a market share of 6.7 per cent Y-T-D.

"The CX-9 represents everything a Mazda SUV should be, offering ample power, striking appearance, fun-to-drive vitality, precision build quality and unexpected versatility. While other vehicles in this category focus only on what’s behind the driver’s seat for the family, Mazda has engineered a unique solution that is equally as exciting for the driver".

SPACE TO STRETCH

The Japan-built Mazda CX-9 rides on a long 2875mm wheelbase, providing easy access to its three-row seating. There’s ample room for adults in every position and sufficient cargo space to accommodate modern families. Under the sleek exterior is an interior that will impress demanding customers with its space, utility, versatility, and premium features.

To make life easy for all drivers, the driver’s seat and steering column move quickly and easily over a long range of adjustment. The 60-40 split second row not only carries three in comfort, it also offers approximately 125mm of fore-and-aft slide travel and a reclining backrest. In the 50-50-split third row, the seating position and leg room are impressive in numbers and real comfort. Entry to the third row is easy, with nearly 650mm of access space between the folded second-row seat and the C-pillar. Even with the third row occupied, the CX-9 provides more than 480 litres of cargo capacity, eclipsing the load capacity of the boots of many large sedans. Both second and third-row seats fold flat to allow additional storage all the way up to the back of the front seats.

Extra thought is invested in small details, such as how the CX-9’s seat releases are configured. For example, releasing the second row seat in order to enter the third row requires only one simple hand motion to unlatch the seat and move it forward. Likewise, a clever strap attached behind the third row seat’s backrest serves as both a release for folding the seat and a means of pulling it up again.

EXTERIOR STYLING A PRIORITY

Many mid-sized crossover SUVs strive for the utilitarian look. The Mazda CX-9, however, is designed to evoke a strong pride of ownership. Without sacrificing versatility or efficiency, the CX-9 strives for the sophisticated appearance of a vehicle costing two to three times as much. Its smooth and flowing silhouette, prominent wheels and tires, muscular fenders and steeply angled windshield and backlight give the CX-9 a dramatic-but-refined look.

CX-9’s front end is unmistakably Mazda, with its elegantly sculpted sporty five-point grille and wide, bold bumper. A horizontal streak of chrome floats on the front grille bar, giving a distinctive and high quality feel. Side windows form a flowing, open and modern greenhouse, allowing clear vision from all seating positions. The unique trapezoid chrome exhaust pipe accentuates the fine detail put into the design.

INTERIOR STYLING STANDS OUT

Once inside the CX-9, the driver is greeted by a neatly organized combination of cylindrical shapes and blacked-out instruments on a T-shaped instrument panel. Brightly edged gauges with metal-look trim and indirect blue illumination set a cool mood. Indirect lighting also is embedded in the front and rear door trim and ceiling for a warm glow. Horizontal elements in areas such as the center panel, door trim and seat design intersect with vertical accents to create the same harmony present in fine furniture.

Interior craftsmanship and attention to detail is visible everywhere. Soft trim is elegantly configured and constructed of top-quality materials and seats have an inviting yet sporty look and feel appropriate to this type of vehicle. The dash panel houses large, clearly marked entertainment and climate controls. Delicate stitching and the metallic look of the floating door trim-grips reveal the designer’s fine eye for detail.

ENERGETIC AND REFINED POWERTRAIN

At the heart of every Mazda lies a spirited engine. The CX-9 is powered by a new 3.5-litre V6 producing about 186kW and 325Nm of torque. Advanced features include dual-overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing, a high compression ratio and electronic throttle control.

A six-speed automatic transmission will be standard. The direct benefits to Mazda customers are optimum acceleration and passing performance, coupled with excellent highway fuel efficiency.

Drive is through Mazda’s advanced Active Torque-Split All-Wheel Drive system, which uses various sensors to signal control modules that automatically apportion torque to those wheels most able to provide solid traction. A computer-controlled coupling, connected with the rear differential, automatically adjusts the torque distribution, allowing up to 50-percent of the drive power to be sent to the rear wheels, depending on traction conditions. This all-wheel drive system is also used in the Mazda6 MPS and CX-7.

SURE-FOOTED CHASSIS & BODY

The stiff unibody of the Mazda CX-9 provides a sound foundation for a poised ride and agile handling. Computer-aided-engineering analysis was used to optimise this structure, delivering high torsional and bending rigidity with minimal weight. Extra laser welds and adhesive weld bonding have been applied in critical areas for enhanced stiffness. Damping sheets applied to floor areas and acoustic foam filler added to body cavities assure a quiet, high quality cabin environment.

In front, the perimeter frame mounted to the unibody through six rubber isolators supports the powertrain, the engine-speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion power steering, and a low friction strut-type suspension system using coil springs. The multilink rear suspension consists of one trailing arm and two lateral locating members per side. To minimise cargo-compartment intrusion and permit a wider load space, the rear coil spring is positioned between the lower lateral member and the unibody. A damper is located as close as possible to each rear wheel to provide excellent motion control with minimal friction. Anti-roll bars at each end maximize agility and control during assertive driving.

In the United States, where the CX-9 goes on sale in the first half of next year, it rides on a choice of eighteen (P245/60R-18) or twenty-inch (P245/50R-20), V-rated, low-profile radial tyres. As a result, CX-9 looks and feels unusually nimble for its size.

SAFETY WITH ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

The Mazda CX-9’s safety features are highlighted by an advanced Roll Stability Control (RSC) system that uses both body-roll rate and wheel speed sensors to determine when corrective action is necessary. A momentary torque reduction, combined with an automatic brake application, assists in restoring the CX-9 to an even keel.

Four-wheel disc ventilated brakes include an Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) to prevent lockup during emergency use. When excessive wheel slippage is detected, a Traction Control System (TCS) automatically reduces driveline torque to help restore traction. Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) reduces driveline torque and automatically applies one or more brakes to minimise under or over-steer during emergency maneuvers.

Additional protection is provided by sensor-activated side-curtain airbags which extend from the first to the third row. These inflatable restraints deploy in the event of a lateral collision or a rollover to reduce the likelihood of injury and limb or head ejection. Inflation is maintained for approximately six seconds for maximum effectiveness, although the only way these systems work properly is when used in combination with seatbelts. Pretensioner devices automatically remove slack from the belt system immediately after a moderate or greater frontal collision and load limiters are incorporated to provide some give as the occupant moves forward. The CX-9’s front headrests incorporate new design features which are designed primarily to reduce neck injuries during rear impacts.

CX-9’s robust unibody uses the Mazda Advanced Impact-Energy Distribution and Absorption System to help protect its cabin from deformation harm in the event of a collision. A combination of large-section members, some made from high-tensile steel, envelope the passenger compartment to absorb impact energy while guarding against intrusion.

From Mazda Australia
Old 11-01-2006, 05:07 PM
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Hope it does well transporting those Aussies across the continent.
Old 11-02-2006, 12:18 PM
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excellent- now we just need a pic of ASH next to one of these newer Mazda vehicles so we can see about this look alike rumour
Old 11-02-2006, 01:02 PM
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Originally Posted by zoom44
excellent- now we just need a pic of ASH next to one of these newer Mazda vehicles so we can see about this look alike rumour


Not sure about that one Charlie....MMMmm, Might uncover my identity, and no there is no truth in the rumour that I am actually Japanese
BTW, I am 183CM or 5 ft,11 so WE can rest that we ar not blood... I am a 4 generation Australian, with English, German and Polish stock.
But from your table pic with out your cap, there are too many similarities..

On Topic....
I would expect the CX-9 to go to other Right Hand Drive markets like UK, South Africa and Japan, it would be a first for Mazda to make it "Only" for the Australian market....RHD re-tooling costs of steering parts, dashboard, brake master cylinder and vacuum unit, etc.
The Aussie market for this model will IMO not be very large...200-250 a month maybe.
Old 11-02-2006, 01:05 PM
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hey im not that short- well okay i am really.
Old 11-02-2006, 01:30 PM
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Originally Posted by zoom44
hey im not that short- well okay i am really.

You look fine to me mate....my best man and long time mate is 4 foot nothing, top guy (suffers from short mans disease/syndrome in his attitude sometimes),
his wife says he is a 'great package'!!...
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