Photo: POPSUV
What's it called, CX-4, CX-6 or CX-7? For about two months, people have been wondering what the mystery Mazda crossover with coupe styling was called. Now the same Chinese site that broke the story, POPSUV, reveals that it's called CX-4.
The photographers were able to get really close to a pre-production prototype. The CX-4 name can be clearly seen on the trunk, indicating that the model fits above the CX-3, which is currently their smallest crossover.
Looking at the interior, we're pretty sure that this Japanese activity coupe is based on the Mazda3 hatchback. The CX-4 shares the center console and bits of the dash with the 3. It also makes sense, considering there's not a lot the engineers could have done with the Mazda2 platform that underpins the baby CX-3.
Thus, we can draw the conclusion that this new model is about 4.5 to 4.6 meters long and will compete with the Infiniti Q30, Subaru XV, Citroen DS4 and other quirky crossover hatchbacks.
Depending on the market, power should come from 2.0 or 2.5-liter gasoline engines with between 120 and 185 hp. If it comes to Europe, it will get the 2.2-liter diesel and maybe even the 1.5-liter. All-wheel drive will be optional and so should the six-speed automatic gearbox.
The styling of the CX-4 has already been previewed by the stylish Koeru Concept. It's all about sloped roof lines, pinched headlights and making a design statement. Like the BMW X4, it should handle noticeably better than all the other crossovers Mazda makes. 225/65 R17 tires certainly can't hurt.
Everybody is keeping their fingers crossed that Mazda will drop the 2.5-liter turbo-4 engine from the CX-9 into this thing and make a sports SUV. However, we're not so hopeful. The Zoom-Zoom brand has been taking a beating from Honda's new 1.5-liter turbo engine in the MPG department. Cheap gas isn't going to last forever, so the Japanese automaker has to worry about staying lean, not being fast.
Looking at the interior, we're pretty sure that this Japanese activity coupe is based on the Mazda3 hatchback. The CX-4 shares the center console and bits of the dash with the 3. It also makes sense, considering there's not a lot the engineers could have done with the Mazda2 platform that underpins the baby CX-3.
Thus, we can draw the conclusion that this new model is about 4.5 to 4.6 meters long and will compete with the Infiniti Q30, Subaru XV, Citroen DS4 and other quirky crossover hatchbacks.
Depending on the market, power should come from 2.0 or 2.5-liter gasoline engines with between 120 and 185 hp. If it comes to Europe, it will get the 2.2-liter diesel and maybe even the 1.5-liter. All-wheel drive will be optional and so should the six-speed automatic gearbox.
The styling of the CX-4 has already been previewed by the stylish Koeru Concept. It's all about sloped roof lines, pinched headlights and making a design statement. Like the BMW X4, it should handle noticeably better than all the other crossovers Mazda makes. 225/65 R17 tires certainly can't hurt.
Everybody is keeping their fingers crossed that Mazda will drop the 2.5-liter turbo-4 engine from the CX-9 into this thing and make a sports SUV. However, we're not so hopeful. The Zoom-Zoom brand has been taking a beating from Honda's new 1.5-liter turbo engine in the MPG department. Cheap gas isn't going to last forever, so the Japanese automaker has to worry about staying lean, not being fast.
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