Mazda has started production of the all-new Mazda CX-5 crossover SUV at the Ujina Plant No. 2 near the company’s global headquarters in Hiroshima. Unveiled at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show, the SUV is expected to go on sale in Japan in February next year before being rolled out in other markets around the world.
The first unit to roll off the assembly line is painted in Soul Red Crystal, which is a new colour for the SUV. With the all-new CX-5, Mazda is aiming for a new dimension of driving pleasure for everyone on board, and not just the driver. Therefore, in addition to delivering responsiveness that corresponds to driver expectations, the carmaker also prioritised passenger comfort in the quiet and finely crafted cabin.
Depending on each market, the all-new Mazda CX-5 engine lineup consists of the Mazda SkyActiv-D 2.2 clean diesel engine, along with the SkyActiv-G 2.0 and SkyActiv-G 2.5 direct-injection petrol engines. The engines are paired with either the 6-speed SkyActiv-Drive automatic or the 6-speed SkyActiv-MT manual transmission. These powertrains are expected to provide exceptional performance and outstanding fuel economy.
Launched in 2012, the original CX-5 was the first of a new generation of award-winning models featuring Kodo designs and the full range of SkyActiv Technology. Total production surpassed 1 million units in April 2015, making it the second-fastest Mazda (after the Mazda3) to reach the milestone. The figure stood at 1.57 million units at the end of October this year.
With global sales increasing every year since it was launched, the CX-5 has grown into a core model that accounts for about a quarter of Mazda’s annual sales volume.
