All New Mazda CX7 SUV The DNA Of A Sports Car
Publish Date: 28.07.2007
Vehicle Reviewed: Mazda CX7 2.3 DISI Turbo
Model Year: 2007
On the Road Price: £23,960
EU Combined MPG: 27.7 mpg
Emissions: 243 g/km
VED Band: G
Insurance Group: 15E
Warranty: 36 mths or 60,000 miles
Kerb Weight: 2270 kg
Transmission: Manual
Drivetrain: 4 Wheel Drive
Acceleration (0-60mph): 8.0 secs
Max Power: 260 PS @ 5500 rpm
Max Torque: 380Nm @ 3000 rpm
(Images are for illustration purposes and may differ from actual vehicles)
"Something very dodgy not to mention incestuous has been going on in the incubators down at Mazda.
If you remember the Tribute 4x4, then it has obviously been having relations with some of Mazda’s finest sports. The result is the CX-7, an illegitimate child which thankfully has inherited all the very best DNA in the family.
Officially CX-7 is an SUV – but is like no other. It packs the outrageous 2.3 litre turbo petrol engine that has found favour and following in the MPS range thanks to its wild power outputs of 258bhp and 380Nm.
That's enough to hurl you to 60mph in under eight seconds and on to a top speed of 130mph – where permitted. Yet take it easy and this remarkable engine will return almost 30mpg.
With that amount of power under the bonnet CX-7 is going to need something special in the handling department to keep it upright and on the road. Thankfully it also gets active torque all wheel drive, a 4x4 system which switches the power around from front only to rear when it detects any a loss of traction. In the dry that gives you supreme road holding for sporty motoring. In the wet, mud and snow you get reassuring levels of grip.
Also rather special and perfectly mated to the performance is handling, thanks to specially tuned suspension and damping.
It feels on the hard side but the payback is in the handling as there’s no hint of unnerving cabin roll when rounding the bends. If the Mazda CX-7 is special to drive then it's also special to be in thanks to leather sports seats, imperious driving position and attractive high quality dashboard and instrument cluster.
Luxuries include a superb nine-speaker Bose sound system, automatic climate control and one touch folding rear seats. It looks fast even before it has turned a wheel with perfect proportions, curvaceous lines and massive alloys.
It draws attention wherever it goes – and not because if its dodgy parentage. Its sporting and practical DNA is going to be appreciated by many and not just those who share a tooth and play the banjo."
Source Name: Ian Lamming
Source Link: http://www.frenchandlammingmedia.com
Source Category: Road Test & Review