Mazda CX-8 teased: To be assembled in Kulim

BERMAZ Auto recently displayed two units of the Mazda CX-8 sport utility vehicle (SUV) during a media function at its headquarters in Glenmarie, Shah Alam.

One was a 2.5-litre petrol powered SkyActiv-G engine unit (twowheel drive) and another was a 2.2litre turbodiesel SkyActiv-D engine (all-wheel drive) unit filled with Euro 5 grade diesel.

A specifications list was also displayed, and the CX-8 can come in four variants (main differences are petrol or diesel powertrains, fabric or leather upholstery, and six and seven-seat layouts).

The diesel-powered unit on display was a six-seater, with its second row fitted with two captain seats and a centre console armrest.

The CX-8 units displayed were imported from Japan, and their equipment list will differ from the ones that will be assembled in Kulim, Kedah later this year.

The locally assembled CX-8, which is expected to be launched in the second half of 2019, is likely to be priced in the RM200,000 region.

To recap, the CX-8 with a 2.5-litre petrol engine with direct injection makes 192hp at 6,000rpm and 257Nm of torque at 3,250rpm.

The 2.2-litre turbodiesel CX-8 shares the same powerful powertrain as the Mazda6 diesel sedan that makes 188hp at 4,500rpm and 450Nm of torque at 2,000rpm.

Standard equipment for the CX-8, based on the preliminary specifications list, include EPAS (electronic power assisted steering), 19-inch wheels, automatic LED headlights with self-levelling function, LED front fog lights, LED rear combination tail lights, automatic wipers, engine start-stop button, electronic parking brake, three zone climate control, MZD Connect Infotainment with Voice Command, Bose audio system, Mazda i-Stop idling, and Mazda G-Vectoring Control.

Standard safety features are six airbags, DSC (Dynamic Stability Control), Emergency Brake Assist, Traction Control and Hill Launch Assist.