Mazda CX-7 2007 Shakes Up the Crossover Segment

The 2007 Mazda CX-7, the first of three new Mazda vehicles designed specifically for the North American market, will hit showrooms in the spring of 2006. The new crossover makes its debut at the Los Angeles auto show, followed by an appearance at the Detroit auto show.

Mazda says the five-passenger CX-7 takes its "emotional" styling cues, most notably its prominent front fenders, from the RX-8 as well as the 1995 RX-01 and 2005 MX-Crossport concept vehicles.

The CX-7 is powered by a turbocharged and intercooled 2.3-liter, four-cylinder direction-injection gasoline engine that produces 244 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and is mated to a six-speed Sport AT transmission. Mazda says key powertrain features are shared with the recently launched Mazdaspeed 6, but the CX-7 is exclusively tuned to deliver 258 lb-ft of torque at 2,500 rpm. The CX-7 delivers an estimated 23 mpg in combined city/highway driving.

The interior includes a three-dial instrument cluster, a sports-car-inspired high-mounted shifter, and front bucket seats.
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