Mazda Launches Larger CX-9 CUV at NYIAS

For this years New York International Auto Show, Japanese automaker Mazda will be introducing an all-new sport utility vehicle, its second new production vehicle and second SUV for 2007. After launching the CX-7 crossover this past January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the CX-9 is the latest product to expand Mazdas ever-growing range. The CX-9, built on an extended version of the CD3 (Mazda6) platform, takes the similar driver-oriented theme of the car-based CX-7 to another larger dimension for improved practicality and family friendliness, offering seating for seven.

The CX-9 was designed primarily for the North American marketplace, like the CX-7. To make it stand out in this SUV-saturated playing field, Mazda chose to give the exterior dramatic styling, replacing boxy corners with sleek, swooping lines. One look at the CX-9 and you can tell that Mazdas designers tried to make a direct visual link with the CX-7. Its profile and shape are surprisingly similar to the smaller crossover, but its body is smoother, adorned with fewer bulges and muscular curves. As the CX-9 was designed to be a road-going SUV, it has a low ride height, road-biased tires and no off-roading gear.

Targeting a more matured audience than most other Mazda products, the CX-9 is dressed to give a good first impression. As an upscale product, it features such details as chrome-plated window sills, mirrors with integrated turn signals, and highly detailed headlights and taillights, not to mention large diameter alloy wheels as standard equipment. The exterior styling has also been toned down a fair bit; smoother, less complex-looking panels replace the CX-7s rippling bulges.

Inside, the CX-9 is said to be constructed with premium materials and a driver-oriented layout to create a luxurious feel with subtle sporty undertones. With increased dimensions in all directions, Mazda aims to provide class-leading passenger and cargo volume.

As the CX-9 is essentially the bigger brother to the CX-7 crossover, it wont be featuring the sporty, turbocharged direct-injection inline-four. Instead, to promote a more relaxed driving experience, the CX-9 will utilize an all-new 3.5-liter MZI V6 engine, which makes its debut in this car. While Mazda hasnt said anything about the source or the development of the new engine, it only makes sense that it is the 250-hp 3.5-liter V6 first shown in Fords new Edge/Lincoln MKX crossovers, and since announced for the 2007 Lincoln MKZ (Zephyr) midsize luxury sedan. After all, the current 3.0-liter V6 is Ford-sourced, so why break with tradition? Mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox, developed in-house by Ford in Dearborn, buyers can have the new larger SUV in either front- or all-wheel drive.

It has been rumored that the CX-9 was introduced to replace the slow-selling MPV minivan, although this cant be confirmed. This would follow a similar move made by parent-partner Ford, which is reportedly dropping its Freestar minivan for a crossover similar to the domestic automakers Fairlane concept. Either way, the CX-9 will ultimately be less versatile than the van, but its exterior design and improved dynamics will align much better with Mazdas sporty ethos than a tall-bodied monobox with sliding side doors.

The CX-9 will be built in Mazdas Ujina plant, located nearby its Hiroshima headquarters in Japan. The new sport utility vehicle is schedule to arrive in showrooms early next year. More information will follow once the car has made its debut in about a weeks time.