AIMS: Mazda previews CX-9 and new '6'

Australia is the first right-hand drive market in the world to score Mazda's new medium SUV model, the CX-9.

When the new seven-seat model goes on sale here in December, it will be pitched up against the Ford Territory, Holden Captiva and Toyota Kluger -- a sign of Mazda's upscale ambitions. The CX-9 represents Mazda's first entry in the medium SUV segment.

The CX-9 will feature a 3.7-litre version of the V6 engine already released in the US market's left-hand drive models. To achieve the extra capacity over the 3.5-litre engine sold in the US, Mazda bored out the 3.7-litre unit, which develops 204kW at 6250rpm and 366Nm of torque at 4250rpm.

Mazda Australia has not settled on a price for the car, which will be available in two grades: Classic and Luxury, but indicates it will start from the low $50,000 range.

If a mid-sized SUV is not your particular cup of tea, Mazda also had a show special at the Darling Harbour venue. Named the Mazda3 MPS Extreme, the concept is based on the standard Mazda3 MPS, with a host of hot bits and cosmetic cues.

Built by Mazda's motor sport manager, Allan Horsley -- the man best known for managing Allan Moffatt's RX-7 racing campaign in touring cars -- the concept features an upgrade to the PCM (powertrain control module) for power boosted to 210kW at 5300rpm and increased torque, rated at 425Nm at 4400rpm.

A two-inch exhaust system and a sports muffler imbue the car with the right sort of engine note.

Murray Coote, long time rally driver, tuned the car's suspension by lowering it 25mm. 19-inch alloy wheels with 225/35 ZR19 tyres take advantage of the suspension calibration for improved response.

To finish it off, the car is painted red and fitted with a black roof spoiler and black wheel arch extensions.  Black stripes accentuate the Mazda's sculpture lines around the haunches.

Moving from concept to production-ready, Mazda also had the new '6' on display in Sydney.

Fitted with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, the new car is expected to be priced from around $30,000.

We've already covered the Mazda6 (more here), but one point of interest from the show was that Mazda would appear to be well advanced on the runout of the current Mazda6, if the company is previewing the new car ahead of its on-sale date in April 2008.

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