If there's a marketing opportunity presenting itself, then take it. That's the mantra behind introduction of the big Mazda CX-9, as Rob Maetzig backgrounds.
A bloke I know owns a Mazda CX-7, and the other day he asked if now owned one.
No, I replied - I had been driving Mazda's new CX-9.
But I can understand the inquiry, because the big V6-powered CX-9 does indeed look very much like a four-cylinder CX- 7. It has the same distinctive Mazda SUV shape, complete with the pronounced wheel arches that are now part of all Mazda product.
But the CX-9 is bigger - considerably so. In fact, it is bigger in all the measurements than its arch-rival in this part of the world, the Ford Territory.
And that is the background to the reason why, earlier this year, Mazda New Zealand made the belated decision to bring this biggest Mazda here.
The large SUV segment of the new vehicle market is on the up- and-up as motorists move away from traditional large cars and choose instead to buy the more lifestyle-oriented product such as Toyota Highlander, Holden Captiva, Hyundai Santa Fe - and the Territory.
CX-9 has been on other markets around the world since 2006, which was actually the same year as Mazda also introduced the medium-sized CX-7. But, whereas Mazda NZ was quick to import the CX-7, at that stage it didn't see any need to bring in the CX-9.
But this year, the company changed its mind, and it was able to coincide the timing of the CX-9's arrival in New Zealand with a mid-life facelift for the vehicle. We don't know what the facelift entailed - but it doesn't matter, since we didn't get the pre- facelifted version anyway!
What we do know is that CX-9 is a big seven-seater with dimensions 14 per cent larger than the segment leader Territory, and it is powered by a 3.7-litre V6 engine that is a Mazda-built version of the Ford Cyclone engine. That Ford motor powers a number of cars in the USA, including various Lincoln models and the 2011 Ford Mustang.
This Ford connection is a throwback to the just-ended 14-year relationship in which Ford held a controlling interest in Mazda. This shareholding was once 33.4 per cent, but is now down to 3.5 per cent. However, there continue to be various synergies between the two companies, which explains Mazda's ability to build its own version of what is in every respect a Ford V6.
The engine - the largest-capacity produced by Mazda - produces 204 kilowatts of power and 367 Newton metres of torque. It is mated to a six-speed Activematic automatic transmission, and the power is delivered to the road by Mazda's on-demand Active Torque Split all- wheel-drive system.
Only one version of the CX-9 is being sold here, and it is a Limited grade model that retails for $59,990.
I suppose if I had to come up with one word to describe how this vehicle feels, I would say it feels American. That's not a criticism either, it's just that the Mazda is obviously of a size, and with the interior room, that suits the North American pysche. It probably also explains why it was originally launched at the New York Motor Show.
It's done very nicely up there too; not only selling well, but picking up a number of motoring awards. The only real criticism it has copped has been a lack of cargo room at the rear when all three rows of seats are in use. It's a relevant criticism too, because the cargo capacity is a measly 267 litres. That certainly wouldn't be enough for seven people to store even small individual bags.
However, fold down the seats and obviously the cargo room increases - I found that with the rear seats folded down I had easily enough room to store golf clubs and trundler. Drop both the second and third rows, and there is a capacious 1887 litres of space.
Being a Limited model, the CX-9 is a highly specified vehicle. It boasts three-zone climate-control air conditioning with independent controls at the rear, a premium MP3-compatible 277-watt audio system with six speakers and controls on the steering wheel, full power adjustment of the front seats - which are also heated, leather upholstery throughout, and reversing camera.
The CX-9 also has a full suite of safety protocols including Roll Stability Control - a first for an SUV and which measures the vehicle's roll angle and even tyre 'rise' during cornering, and then controls the brakes and engine torque to help achieve a roll in the opposite direction.
Other active safety features include ABS brakes with brake assist, stability control, and traction control.
It all combines to provide a vehicle that is lovely to drive. It is particularly quiet, despite the fact it runs on 20-inch wheels shod with 50-series tyres, which can create tyre roar on some of our coarse chip seal.
The big SUV is also long in the legs. The CX-9's transmission is essentially the same as that aboard the CX-7, but gearing is 12 per cent higher and that means the big V6 is ticking over at just 1700 rpm at 100 kmh - and that helps the Mazda achieve an average fuel consumption of 11.3 L/100km.
So it has to be said that the CX- 9 is a welcome addition to the Mazda lineup.
It's a little unusual, primarily because up until now we've been used to Mazda New Zealand selling small to medium-sized cars, with the biggest offerings being the Mazda6 and CX-7.
But, it makes marketing sense that, if there's a sales opportunity presenting itself and there's the product available to meet that opportunity, then the CX-9 should have been introduced.
- Taranaki Daily News
| MAZDA CX-9 LIMITED POWER PLANT: 3.7-litre 24-valve DOHC V6 petrol engine, 204 kW at 6250 rpm, 367 Nm at 4250 rpm. RUNNING GEAR: On-demand all-wheel drive. Six-speed Activematic automatic transmission. MacPherson strut front suspension, multi-link setup at the rear. HOW BIG: Length 5099mm, width 1936mm, height 1728mm, wheelbase 2875mm. HOW MUCH: $59,990. WHAT'S GOOD: Good looks, powerful drive, quiet interior. WHAT'S NOT: Rear cargo room cramped with all seats in use. OUR VERDICT: If the popularity of the smaller CX-7 is anything to go by, this CX-9 should sell well. |
No, I replied - I had been driving Mazda's new CX-9.
But I can understand the inquiry, because the big V6-powered CX-9 does indeed look very much like a four-cylinder CX- 7. It has the same distinctive Mazda SUV shape, complete with the pronounced wheel arches that are now part of all Mazda product.
But the CX-9 is bigger - considerably so. In fact, it is bigger in all the measurements than its arch-rival in this part of the world, the Ford Territory.
And that is the background to the reason why, earlier this year, Mazda New Zealand made the belated decision to bring this biggest Mazda here.
The large SUV segment of the new vehicle market is on the up- and-up as motorists move away from traditional large cars and choose instead to buy the more lifestyle-oriented product such as Toyota Highlander, Holden Captiva, Hyundai Santa Fe - and the Territory.
CX-9 has been on other markets around the world since 2006, which was actually the same year as Mazda also introduced the medium-sized CX-7. But, whereas Mazda NZ was quick to import the CX-7, at that stage it didn't see any need to bring in the CX-9.
But this year, the company changed its mind, and it was able to coincide the timing of the CX-9's arrival in New Zealand with a mid-life facelift for the vehicle. We don't know what the facelift entailed - but it doesn't matter, since we didn't get the pre- facelifted version anyway!
What we do know is that CX-9 is a big seven-seater with dimensions 14 per cent larger than the segment leader Territory, and it is powered by a 3.7-litre V6 engine that is a Mazda-built version of the Ford Cyclone engine. That Ford motor powers a number of cars in the USA, including various Lincoln models and the 2011 Ford Mustang.
This Ford connection is a throwback to the just-ended 14-year relationship in which Ford held a controlling interest in Mazda. This shareholding was once 33.4 per cent, but is now down to 3.5 per cent. However, there continue to be various synergies between the two companies, which explains Mazda's ability to build its own version of what is in every respect a Ford V6.
The engine - the largest-capacity produced by Mazda - produces 204 kilowatts of power and 367 Newton metres of torque. It is mated to a six-speed Activematic automatic transmission, and the power is delivered to the road by Mazda's on-demand Active Torque Split all- wheel-drive system.
Only one version of the CX-9 is being sold here, and it is a Limited grade model that retails for $59,990.
I suppose if I had to come up with one word to describe how this vehicle feels, I would say it feels American. That's not a criticism either, it's just that the Mazda is obviously of a size, and with the interior room, that suits the North American pysche. It probably also explains why it was originally launched at the New York Motor Show.
It's done very nicely up there too; not only selling well, but picking up a number of motoring awards. The only real criticism it has copped has been a lack of cargo room at the rear when all three rows of seats are in use. It's a relevant criticism too, because the cargo capacity is a measly 267 litres. That certainly wouldn't be enough for seven people to store even small individual bags.
However, fold down the seats and obviously the cargo room increases - I found that with the rear seats folded down I had easily enough room to store golf clubs and trundler. Drop both the second and third rows, and there is a capacious 1887 litres of space.
Being a Limited model, the CX-9 is a highly specified vehicle. It boasts three-zone climate-control air conditioning with independent controls at the rear, a premium MP3-compatible 277-watt audio system with six speakers and controls on the steering wheel, full power adjustment of the front seats - which are also heated, leather upholstery throughout, and reversing camera.
The CX-9 also has a full suite of safety protocols including Roll Stability Control - a first for an SUV and which measures the vehicle's roll angle and even tyre 'rise' during cornering, and then controls the brakes and engine torque to help achieve a roll in the opposite direction.
Other active safety features include ABS brakes with brake assist, stability control, and traction control.
It all combines to provide a vehicle that is lovely to drive. It is particularly quiet, despite the fact it runs on 20-inch wheels shod with 50-series tyres, which can create tyre roar on some of our coarse chip seal.
The big SUV is also long in the legs. The CX-9's transmission is essentially the same as that aboard the CX-7, but gearing is 12 per cent higher and that means the big V6 is ticking over at just 1700 rpm at 100 kmh - and that helps the Mazda achieve an average fuel consumption of 11.3 L/100km.
So it has to be said that the CX- 9 is a welcome addition to the Mazda lineup.
It's a little unusual, primarily because up until now we've been used to Mazda New Zealand selling small to medium-sized cars, with the biggest offerings being the Mazda6 and CX-7.
But, it makes marketing sense that, if there's a sales opportunity presenting itself and there's the product available to meet that opportunity, then the CX-9 should have been introduced.
- Taranaki Daily News
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