More than a makeover
> Mazda’s second-generation crossover SUV is an impressive evolution of its predecessor
THE all-new Mazda CX-5, launched on Wednesday, has been refined to an “ultimate expression of Mazda’s Kodo: Soul of Motion” design philosophy, and has a bold, sophisticated and elegant new look. Its exterior has been redesigned for a bolder and more dynamic stance to express “the feeling of acceleration in one movement”. Exterior features include a new honeycomb-style grille and redesigned chrome signature wing. These combine with slimmer front headlights to create a deeply curved “masculine expression”. At the rear, the CX-5 receives new rear light design in a two-layer moulded outer lens.
Inside, there is a more symmetrical dashboard layout that focuses on driver orientation. The commander console is elevated, surrounding the lower body for better ergonomics, and projects a sense of toughness, stability and control.
The seven-inch full-colour touchscreen display for the “MZD Connect” Infotainment system has been redesigned and repositioned to the top of the dashboard, close to the driver’s natural line of sight, making it less distracting and easier to see and use. Overall, the new CX-5’s interior exhibits a high(er) level of craftsmanship and build quality, with 85% soft touch material with genuine stitched leather, and wood and metal finish. ensures the vehicle controls its dynamics on an extremely minute level, not capable by the drivers themselves, so that driving efficiency is significantly improved. The outcome is seamless, flowing acceleration and cornering like never before. * SkyActiv-Vehicle Dynamics’ technologies provide integrated control of the engine, transmission, chassis and body to enhance “a sense of connectedness between car and driver that differentiates Mazda vehicles from others”.
And then there is Mazda’s i-ActivSense, which is a series of advanced safety technologies that make use of detection devices such as milliwave radars and cameras. They include technologies that enhance incidence-free motoring by helping the driver to recognise potential hazards, and pre-crash safety technologies which help to avert collisions or reduce their severity in situations where they cannot be avoided. The I-ActivSense includes:
which individually control a number of LEDs to broaden visibility at low speeds, shape the high beam to help avoid dazzling other drivers and raise beam height at highway speeds to extend vision area.
Adaptive LED headlights Adaptive Front-Lighting System,
whereby the headlights are specifically designed to help you see around corners at night. As the driver turns into a corner, the headlights pivot up to 15 degrees in the direction of the turn, improving visibility and allowing the driver to spot potential hazards and dangers ahead.
Smart City Brake System
monitors the vehicle in front or rear to access the likelihood of a collision. If a high risk is detected it issues visual and audio warnings, and primes the brakes for a faster response. If the driver doesn’t brake, the SCBS brakes automatically.
Lane Departure Warning System
automatically senses lane markings on the road and alerts driver when it predicts the vehicle is going to unintentionally depart from its lane. adds to Lane Departure Warning System by performing minor steering corrections to recentre the vehicle in its lane upon sensing an unintentional lane departure.
helps detecting and alerting the driver when objects are in the driver’s left and right blind spots, by activating a door mirror mounted warning light on the relevant side of the vehicle. If the driver doesn’t indicate prior to turning, the warning lights will flash with an audible alert bleep.
Lane-Keep Assist System Blind Spot Monitoring Rear Cross Traffic Alert
system will alert the driver when it detects vehicles approaching from either side during reverse operation.
Driver Attention Alert
reduces accidents caused by inattentiveness due to driver fatigue. The system comes into play at speeds above 65km/h and begins to “learn” the driver’s habits, watching inputs and the vehicle’s movements in the early stages before fatigue becomes a factor.
The new CX-5 has been awarded with the highest overall rating of five-stars on safety performance by European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) and Japan New Car Assessment Programme (JNCAP), and also the “Top Safety Pick+” award by the US-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS).
The new CX-5 is available in five variants: 2.0G 2WD GL, 2.0G 2WD GLS, 2.5G 2WD GLS, 2.2D 2WD GLS and 2.2D AWD. All are equipped with SkyActivDrive six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode. The 2.0G and 2.5G are petrol-powered and only two-wheeldriven, while the diesel-powered 2.2D is available in two- and four-wheel-drive variants.
The 2.0-litre variants put out 162hp and 210Nm of torque (compared to 155hp and 200Nm before). The 2.5-litre variant gives 192hp and 257Nm (185hp and 250Nm before), and the diesel variants put out just 173hp, but has an impressive 420Nm of torque expected of diesel engine.
There are eight colour choices: Soul Red Crystal, Machine Grey, Snowflake White Pearl, Deep Crystal Blue, Sonic Silver, Meteor Grey, Jet Black and Arctic White.
Prices for the new CX-5 are:
2.0G 2WD GL: RM134,205.50. 2.0G 2WD GLS: RM148,205.50. 2.5G 2WD GLS: RM160,596.70. 2.2D 2WD GLS: RM164,179.10. 2.2D AWD: RM174,779.10.
All prices are for on-the-road, without insurance, with GST, for private registration in Peninsula Malaysia and solid colours. Metallic colours require an additional RM400.
Soul Red Crystal, Machine Grey and Snowflake White Pearl are “premium” colours. Applicable to all variants, they require an additional RM2,000.
Mazda states that their exceptional depth and lustre are a result the company’s evolutionary “Takuminuri” painting technology, which gives vehicles a precise high-quality finish that looks like it has been hand-sprayed by a master craftsman.