Mazda Motor Corporation comes to Geneva this year to celebrate three world premieres, firstly the all new Mazda 3 MPS, then Mazda's Green Technology for the new Mazda 3. Mazda 3 + i-stop, Mazda’s new idle-stop & go system. Then, last but not least the facelifted Mazda CX7. Mazda’s sports utility vehicle (SUV) has an enhanced design to give it an even more premium Mazda identity inside and out, and new technologies that make it even more affordable and fun to drive.
Now available with a choice of engines, the CX7 line-up includes the next-generation MZR-CD 2.2-litre turbo diesel common-rail engine (average fuel consumption: 7.5 litres/100km, CO2 199 g/km) delivering a powerful 173 PS and 400 Nm of maximum torque, with a new selective catalytic reduction system (SCR system) – the first ever on a Mazda vehicle. This diesel joins the acclaimed MZR 2.3-litre DISI turbo petrol engine producing 260 PS and 380 Nm of maximum torque carried over from the current model.
Inside, the facelifted CX7 adds a new compact navigation system with a high-resolution screen, a new Rear Vehicle Monitoring system and an Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) for further active safety. The facelifted CX7 introduces several new chassis updates for enhanced handling and steering that include a stiffer bodyshell and new dampers. It also inherits Mazda’s torque-split All-wheel Drive (AWD) system, for superior traction in all on-road situations.
In developing the facelift CX7, Mazda focused on delivering a car that is even more representative of the Mazda brand. It has an enhanced balance of styling, dynamics and affordability for even more global appeal, and stays true to Mazda’s ‘Sustainable Zoom-Zoom’ plan, which aims to harmonise driving pleasure with environmental and safety features.
To address strong demand in Europe for a clean-running diesel with high fuel-efficiency, the Mazda CX7 SUV facelift has a next-generation MZR-CD 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine including a selective catalytic reduction (SCR system) system designed exclusively for the European market. This engine delivers a generous 400 Nm of torque to the road using Active Torque-Split All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system and joins the already well known 2.3 litre DISI Turbo petrol engine in the line-up. And for the first time ever, Mazda’s sports crossover SUV gets a Rear Vehicle Monitoring (RVM) system and an Emergency Stop System (ESS) for even more active safety.
The exterior design of the facelifted CX7 is based closely on the athletic styling of the original, pushing further the sports crossover SUV design theme, while incorporating enhancements that more clearly communicate a premium identity and give it a more refined character. The CX7 facelift’s new front end, detailing and high build quality on the outside take the original model’s advanced and emotional styling to the next level, while new materials and forms on the inside give the cabin a more premium look and feel.
The new lower front grille of the CX7 facelift has a larger five-point design that more clearly communicates the Mazda brand, and harmonises the SUV with the latest models in the Mazda line-up. The grille is framed by a stylish silver look, detailing that expresses a premium identity. It also provides a larger air intake area that contributes to superior cooling performance, which is of particular value to the newly-introduce 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine. Other enhancements to the fascia include a new design for the front fog lamp bezels, which creates a strong visual flow and lends a sense of fine craftsmanship.
On the sides, a newly adopted chrome-plated garnish (depending on grade) along the bottom of the doors highlights the vehicle’s sporty silhouette. At the rear, the CX7 facelift has a new chrome bar on the tailgate handle, while a new and larger rear roof spoiler (depending on grade) complements the design revisions at the rear end.
A line-up of seven body colours is available with the Mazda CX7 facelift (depending on market), all of them chosen to complement the vehicle’s sporty and strong exterior appearance. These include three new colours: Aluminium Metallic, Stormy Blue Mica and Sparkling Black Mica. Inside, Mazda has carried forward the two original model’s popular black and sand beige cabin colour packages. The facelifted CX7 features newly designed 18-inch aluminium wheels and, for the first time to the line-up, new 19-inch aluminium wheels (both depending on grade), which further highlight the new CX7’s power and refinement.
The enhanced premium look on the outside is continued on the inside of the vehicle with quality detailing that delivers a sporty yet highly refined cabin. The CX7 cockpit has a new steering wheel with a sporty, premium design. Integrated steering wheel switches allow the driver to operate controls without having to look away from the road. A new design for the blackout meters of the instrument cluster features newly-introduced blue-ring illumination, white pointers and three-dimensional dials that produce a heightened sense of quality.
The vehicle’s unique double-roof instrument panel is modified as well. The upper roof is no longer straight but has a gently undulating shape. This was adopted so designers could install the new Multi Information Display (MID) positioned in the centre and to the right of the driver (in LHD vehicles) for easy reading. Piano black or metallic edges are added to the centre panel to convey a sense of refinement.
The CX7 facelift interior was developed with new materials placed at various locations around the cabin to give an even more premium look and feel. The rings on the side air vents are specially plated with anti-glare chrome. New front and rear door armrests are introduced as well, which incorporate soft pads for enhanced quality feel and more comfort than before. The armrest lid of the centre console is made of thick, high-resilience urethane, which has a texture combining softness and firmness for durability and comfort. In high grade models, it also has a newly added soft pad.
Advanced equipment is introduced to the CX7 facelift that provides even more functionality to the driver and passengers, and makes Mazda’s sports crossover SUV easy and fun to use on a daily basis. Like Mazda’s new-generation Mazda 6 and Mazda 3, the updated CX7 has a new human-machine interface (HMI) that encompasses advanced driver functionality and contributes to greater driving confidence, mainly due to its Multi Information Display.
To provide the driver with necessary information in an optimal way, a new Multi Information Display (MID) is introduced with enhanced capabilities, and positioned at the top of the centre console under the shadow of the top roof of the dashboard to ensure easily readability. It shows current driving information like fuel consumption, maintenance indicators, rear view camera and navigation – a separate display showing audio and climate-control information, and a warning lamp area below this with a seatbelt warning and airbag cut-off indicator. There are two types of liquid crystal displays (LCD) available for the MID: a high-brightness, high-resolution 4.1-inch colour type, and a 3.5-inch monochrome dot matrix type. These are the same types as available for the all-new Mazda3.
Some versions of the CX7 are equipped with a rear camera that makes reversing easier. The camera’s pictures are shown on the 4.1 inch colour TFT display which is standard on those vehicles fitted with a compact navigation system (depending on grade).
The Navigation system is operated by switches on the steering wheel and, combined with the high legibility of the display, makes operation and visual confirmation of readouts safe and easy while driving. The development team also focused on upgrading the basic functions and adopted a map database system stored on a compact SD card for more practicality.
Mazda’s facelifted sports crossover SUV also has Bluetooth wireless connection technology for mobile phones for the first time (depending on grade), which may be operated hands-free while driving. The system also provides a wireless connection between Bluetooth®-compatible portable audio players and the CX7’s audio system. Music playback from the audio player can be controlled by switches located on the audio panel or the steering wheel while driving. Additionally there’s an AUX jack located at the front of the centre console so that music on non-Bluetooth-compatible portable audio players may also be enjoyed using the vehicle’s factory-fitted audio system.
The driver seat of the CX7 facelift is designed to provide the optimum driving position for all types of people, and is now power-adjustable with a three-position memory function (depending on grade). For the facelift, the passenger seat on high grade models is also power adjustable.
The next-generation MZR-CD 2.2-litre inline four-cylinder DOHC 16-valve turbo diesel joins the line‑up of the facelifted CX7. It delivers generous maximum torque of 400 Nm from a low 2,000 rpm and a maximum power output of 127 kW/173 PS at 3,500 rpm. The engine’s 2.2-litre displacement, combined with turbocharger and common-rail direct injection, plus a high injection pressure of 200 MPa, realises high power and torque with low emissions. Newly optimised intercooler efficiency further promotes strong and linear performance. To keep customers’ ownership costs low, the DOHC-valve system is chain driven which allows maintenance-free operation for the life of the vehicle.
A front-chain-drive cassette-type counter-rotating balancer shaft significantly reduces NVH. Employing this balancer shaft improves booming noise, and produces a linear relationship between the accelerator pedal position and the engine sound, contributing to the fun-to-drive feeling.
Together with the 2.2 litre DOHC turbocharged common-rail diesel, a newly-developed diesel particulate filter, made of a ceramic material with high thermal resistance, is introduced. In addition to oxygen in the exhaust gases, this catalyst uses oxygen stored in the base material, to improve the combustion of soot emissions. This optimises the time needed for the generation of the filter (shortened by one third) and achieves excellent emissions, without sacrificing performance for driving fun.
New to the CX7 line-up with the MZR-CD 2.2-litre diesel is a selective catalyst reduction (SCR) system, the first ever on a Mazda vehicle that converts NOx into harmless nitrogen and water using a urea additive. With the new turbo diesel under the bonnet, the Mazda CX7 facelift can sprint from 0-100 km/h in 11.3 seconds and go on to reach a top speed of 200 km/h – compared to 8.0 seconds and 209 km/h respectively for the 2.3 petrol variant.
The Mazda CX7 facelift engine line-up retains the acclaimed inline four-cylinder DOHC 16-valve 2.3-litre DISI Turbo petrol engine. It produces high maximum output of 191kW/260 PS at 5,500 rpm and 380 Nm of maximum torque at 3,000 rpm.
As in the Mazda 3, CX-7 facelift models with the MZR 2.3L DISI Turbo petrol engine feature Mazda's exclusive underfloor single-nanocatalyst. It employs single-nanotechnology, which can control even smaller particles than nanotechnology. Due to this advanced technology, the amount of precious metal used in the catalyst has been reduced by approximately 73 percent compared to the current model. The total weight of precious metal per unit has been cut from 0.89 grams to 0.24 grams. This new Mazda technology helps limit the use of rare natural resources and contributes to preserving the environment.
Mazda pioneered the sports crossover SUV sub-segment when it launched the original CX7 as a practical but sporty utility vehicle. The facelift model enhances this aspect with a significant increase in body rigidity and suspension updates. Coupled with the Active Torque-Split All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system, this delivers even better handling stability and ride comfort for an even more premium driving experience befitting Mazda’s flagship SUV.
Mazda engineers added bodyshell reinforcements to the CX7 facelift for a five percent increase in torsional stiffness, which translates into even better handling stability and a higher-quality ride. To minimise the weight increase that resulted from the addition of these reinforcements, Mazda used weld bonds, which are relatively light joints where spot welds are supplemented by adhesive between the welded parts. And the increased body rigidity further enhances quietness by softening the tone of road noise before it reaches the cabin.
Retuned to suit the different power characteristics and weight of each engine, the suspension system of the Mazda CX7 facelift continues to employ MacPherson struts in the front and a multi-link suspension system in the rear. New dampers are introduced with larger oil-flow openings to achieve smoother suspension strokes and improve stability and ride comfort. At the same time, the increased body rigidity helps enable supple suspension movement and greater firmness.
Like the original model, the European version of the Mazda CX7 facelift comes as standard with Mazda’s Active Torque-Split All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system that helps prevent wheel spin on slippery surfaces and delivers excellent traction on dry surfaces. The vehicle’s system control module distributes torque between the front and rear axles using an electronically-controlled active-torque coupling mounted in front of the rear differential. The system automatically distributes power between the axles (from 100/0 percent to 50/50 percent front/rear) for just the right amount of torque in every driving situation.
Electro-hydraulic power assisted steering (EHPAS) is introduced for vehicles with the MZR-CD 2.2 engine to ensure a precise, positive steering feel by employing hydraulic pressure provided by a pump that is driven by an electric motor. The speed-sensitive system gives precise control over the degree of steering assistance in accordance with the speed of the vehicle, and the speed at which the steering wheel is turned. It helps to minimise fuel consumption, making the 2.2-litre turbo diesel even more frugal.
Vehicles with the MZR 2.3 DISI Turbo petrol engine continue to be equipped with hydraulic power assisted steering that is also tuned to deliver optimal steering assist depending on vehicle speed.
The CX7 facelift is not only developed in line with Mazda’s Sustainable Zoom-Zoom Strategy for environmental performance, but for safety as well. Two newly introduced elements enhance the active safety package of Mazda’s sports crossover SUV.
The CX7 receives Mazda’s Rear Vehicle Monitoring (RVM) system for the first time. It has twin radar sensors in the rear bumper that detect a vehicle approaching from behind when the Mazda vehicle is moving at a speed of 60 km/h or faster. The 24 GHz radar sensors have a range of 50 m behind the vehicle and are not affected by bad weather. If a car is detected approaching from the left or right rear lanes or driving in the blind spot next to the vehicle, the system alerts the driver by turning on a warning indicator in the door mirror on the relevant side. If the driver then activates a turn signal, the indicator in the door mirror flashes and a warning buzzer sounds to prevent the driver from changing lanes.
A new ESS system is introduced with the CX7 facelift. When the CX7 is travelling faster than 50 km/h and the driver brakes sharply, the ESS system automatically flashes the hazard warning lights rapidly to alert following vehicles of the emergency situation.
For more information on the Mazda CX7 call Mazda Darlington on freephone 0800 980 4532 or Mazda Durham on freephone 0800 980 4534.