2006 Mazda CX-7 Adreneline Concept
When Mazda introduced the CX-7 earlier this year, it really put the sport back into sport utility. Not only did this intriguing looking five-seater crossover appear different from everything else on the market, but it was engineered and designed to be a competent handler. Using parts of its award-winning 3, and the high-performance Mazdaspeed6, Mazda created one of the most exciting yet practical vehicles of the year. For this years SEMA show, the Japanese companys gone and put the "Speed" in the CX-7, with the Adrenaline concept.
Almost every tuned car to appear at SEMA has a focused theme. With the CX-7 Adrenaline, that theme was professional cycling (a la Tour de France). I think its a cool idea, but Im not entirely sure that cycling matches up with performance motorsport. Anyway, using the tagline "Emotion of Motion", Mazdas design team at its North American design studio in Irvine, California started to work on ways to differentiate their car from the standard production vehicle. Mazdas design director, Franz von Holzhausen (the guy responsible for the tiny Kabura Concept), gave an insight as to the theme of the design, saying, "Adrenaline is athletically inspired for people who demand a car that is as lean and fit as they are and represents their passions, yet doesnt sacrifice in hauling those passions around... Adrenaline is like an avid cyclist, and delivers on the promise."
Though its arguable that the CX-7 is more than capable of getting heart rates up with its 244-horsepower direct-injection, turbocharged inline-four, when it comes to performance, theres always room for improvement. Drawing from expert rally driver, drifter and modifier Rhys Millen, the Adrenalines engine has been reworked to develop more horsepower. With a retuned ECU, new intake, and increased boost, Mazda estimates that the crossover is capable of turning out over 300 horsepower. A different intercooler and an extra oil cooler ensure that the engine doesnt overheat, even when the pressures up. But the drivetrain alterations dont end there.
In addition to the engine, Mazda swapped out the six-speed automatic gearbox in favor of a DIY manual gearbox. A transmission swap is usually a big deal when it comes to tuner-built vehicles as it involves a lot of work, but the task wasnt as difficult as it might otherwise seem; while the six-speed automatic is the only transmission sold in North America, other markets offer a six-speed manual as well. The swap isnt as big of a deal as it might be on any other SUV (such as an Acura RDX for example), as the transmission is also found on the Mazdaspeed6, and should definitely mesh better with the even sportier characteristics of the car.
On its own, the CX-7 is an eye-catching vehicle, with pontoon-like fenders, a super steeply raked windshield, and jewel-like head and tail lights that could belong to nothing other than a concept car, but with so much more power under the hood, the Adrenaline deserved even more visual distinction. The general profile of the concept car didnt stray far away from the original, but the crossover is certainly different on closer inspection. The nose has been reworked with a clamshell front clip that more or less gives the car a new identity. The concept now sports a larger (and very different) grille, a deeper front valance with room for a larger intercooler, plus new headlamps.
Around back, things get even more unique; the Adrenalines tailgate has been restyled with a new window thats both wider and lower than that on the regular tailgate, and styled like the one used on Volvos C30 hatchback. However, the whole tailgate - metal and all - opens, and not just the glass. The body kit and the blistered fenders do serve a purpose; they allow the enormous 285-width, 22-inch wheels room to fit under the wheel wells. Those fenders, plus the doors have actually added three whole inches of width to the cars stance. And of course, the bodywork has been finished off in a white-fade-to-yellow paint scheme, which was inspired by the Maillot Jaune, the "Yellow Jersey" worn by the stage/race winner in a bicycle race.
And like the exterior, the interior of the Adrenaline has been reupholstered to match the performance and appearance themes. The dashboard is now covered in white leather, while the instrument bin, pillars, headliner and upper-tier of the dual-tier dash has been trimmed in gray Alcantara. Mazda has also put in a sportier, yellow and black two-toned steering wheel from the RX-8, and reupholstered the seats with mesh inserts and etched headrests with the Adrenaline logo. Also new to the concept is a full-length panoramic sunroof that features a built-in storage console which stretches the length of the roof, plus a built-in bike carrier.
While Mazda wont be making anything remotely close to the Adrenaline concept for the road, there are plenty of additions from the showcar that wed like to see considered for production, such as the panoramic glass roof and the manual gearbox. More power wouldnt hurt either... Mazdaspeed CX-7, anyone?