Mazda is on fire with its designs as of late, and the newest entry to their concept stable is this — the Koeru — and it’s likely not the next CX-5 or CX-9.
Welcome back, CX-7.
The Ford Edge and Nissan Murano have proven once again that third-row seating isn’t needed in order to sell a midsize SUV, but you better have the style and substance to make up the deficit. The Koeru, for all intents and purposes, looks like it will do just that.
And while I am not sure what Koeru means exactly, I’m guessing it definitely doesn’t mean “killing off our sports car so we can build a crossover” in Japanese.
Actually, Koeru translates to “exceed” or “go beyond”, according to Mazda. The concept features “the full suite of Mazda’s new-generation SKYACTIV technologies,” said the automaker, but hopefully there’s enough room under that hood for the first SKYACTIV six-cylinder engine to make its way to production.
The rest of the Mazda press release is filled with flowery language, so we will dispense without. This is the crossover Mazda needs, and I hope they can bring it here in a hurry.
I presume it is this 超える – “to exceed”.
Hope it will live up to the promise – by not succumbing to rust rather prematurely a-la Mazda3. Or grenade its engine just about after the warranty, like the previous CX-7.
That’s going to be a big winner for Mazda. Looks better than the new Jag F-Pace.
>>I presume it is this 超える – “to exceed”.
Well, you know Japanese… only about 42 syllables for the entire breadth of the language so a lot of homonyms.
Absent the specific kanji I’m going to say this koeru means Aardvark.
Ah, you must be one of those funny-speaking gaijin? A guaranteed way to crack a joke or be laughed at in the native crowd – speak Japanese with an American accent.
Hudjee-memasheete! Whatakooshee wha Raido-Heito desoo…
It works both ways though…
So you don’t think it looks like an aardvark?
My tastes are so not in line with the current trends, that frankly I did not even bother to give the thing a good look.
But having checked the subject of the conversation, I’d say by suggesting the comparison, you are insulting the “tsuchibuta” – or aardvark.
still the happy owner of a 2005 orange mazda 3 and still no rust. it grew up in chicago and spent the first 6 years of its life there.
i presume these rust issues are from specific builds…?????
I was wondering whether Mazda would address this market. With a new CX-9 in 2016 and this CX-7 in 2017, Mazda will likely have a strong entry across all 4 CUV categories.
Now if they can get their US dealer network up to snuff, Mazda may actually start to grow significantly.
There were some rumors that the next CX-7 was a 7 seater, but the press release states this is a 5 seater. It’s a little bit longer and wider than a CX-5, so perhaps the CX-7 is the 5 seater, and CX-9 the 7 seater, both with a turbo 2.5.
The spy shots of the CX-9 look bloated compared to the Koeru renders.
i think you are guessing right. there have been whispers of a turbo and think this, as well as the miata, will get it instead of the 6. few seem willing to keep putting a 6 into the sedans and suvs.
and turbos are in.
Maybe it’s just me, but this looks kind of old/dated already. It’s too similar to the CX7, which is already quite old.
Good to see Mazda is considering bringing back a 6-cylinder, as they’re lacking in the engine size department (sort of like Subaru).
I am not sure if they are considering it. That mention was more of a wishlist item on my part as I can’t see something this size competing without a V-6.
Mazda as far as I know hasn’t had their own V6 for ages. I think mazda discontinued use of their own KL series engines at the end of the millenia in favor of the Ford V6 iirc.
Yep, for the 6 version which was a Fusion, I think. I’ll still see those 6’s around with a V6 badge, and think “Yeah, I remember that time.” Of course they’re rusty as well.
The Ford 3.5 from the Five Hundred and Sable!
RE: New V6 Idea
Yep I think they do need one. They’ll end up using a Ford one or something, and it’ll be the only car they sell without the Skyactiv certification. Have they got enough money to do their own V6 development?
I think they would have to start largely from scratch to meet current emissions and fuel consumption requirements. Any chance that Mazda might take an engine from Fiat for use of the ND platform by Fiat?
There have been indications that Mazda has been looking into 6-cylinder options:
““As Mazda is moving up towards premium territory, at some point in time we will need a six-cylinder,” he said. “It’s too early, we don’t have a car yet. But we are collecting advice as to V6 or straight six.””
I think it’s still too early for a 6-cylinder. Not that money is a problem (they’ve had record profits the past two years), but they’re not in premium enough territory yet. And they may reconsider now that every premium brand seems to be dropping cylinders in favor of turbos. Turbocharging makes the most sense to me because they can use that technology across their entire lineup if they so choose. You can drop a 2.5L turbo in everything from the Mazda3 all the way up to the CX-9.
If they hadn’t wasted so much time and money on the rotary, they’d have a good V6 by now.
Good point RE: the silly rotary.
I don’t really see why they need a V6 with the 2.5L turbo 4 in the pipeline. Mazda don’t make anything big enough to be underpowered with a ~300 HP 2.5T. Okay, they won’t have competition for the Explorer Sport with the 3.5TT EcoBoost V6, but their 2.5L in a CX9 should be at least competitive with Ford’s 2.3T I4.
The current best 3-row crossover on the market is the Volvo XC90, and it does just fine with an I4.
“current best 3-row crossover on the market is the Volvo XC90”
Source?
The actual production mule has been spotted and it won’t have nearly the same proportions, which is good, since something like this could hardly be called a three-row crossover. This looks kind of like a scaled-up version of the Infiniti EX/QX50
This totally looks like an Infiniti from the back, same smooshed-egg proportions and a nice wide butt. Not too bad, and certainly better than the messes that Nissan and Toyota put on display for their silly sporty crossovers. Bleh!
I am picking up a definite CX-9 vibe about this thing. Has Mazda officially previewed the upcoming CX-9 yet?
No, but we’ve seen it testing.
LA Auto Show probably. The big question is what’s going to power it, because that will trickle down to other Mazdas. Most bets are on 2.5L turbo.
As far as the CX9 goes, Honda has hit a stand up triple with its new Pilot. It got bigger, faster, more efficient and better looking all at once. From the spy photos the CX9 doesnt grow at all. It appears by photo to be a size smaller than the Pilot. It should be efficient however what may keep me from getting one is the option of a V6. In the real world its milage may suck.
The CX-9 (which is on Ford’s CD3 platform and therefore an extended version of the old Edge and MKX) was always on the smaller side of the three-row crossover crowd.
True but up until now it was still close to size of the Pilot and larger than the Highlander.
So is this actually gonna be called the CX-7? I get OCD with numbers and that would make me feel better about it. I like it when a manufacturer has very clear delineations between subcompact, compact, mid-size and full-size.
If this hit the market like this, it would essentially represent a Mazda6 wagon on steroids. Not quite as low as the sedan, but certainly lower in profile than the typical crossover. If they can carve out a niche for this type of vehicle, i.e. a Mazda6 wagon without actually using the Mazda6 moniker, it could be a very interesting crossover of a crossover. I personally favor anything that is lower to the ground than the typical crossover. Which is why my DD is an RX-8 and my tow vehicle is a 1991 Colony Park, which looks absolutely slender and sleek parked next to a typical 3 row SUV/CUV of today.
And if it is lower, you can use smaller (i.e., 16″) wheels for a better ride and lower replacement tire cost.
It seems like the latest generation of most crossovers are getting lower and more wagonlike. Ultimately we seem to be headed towards tall cars rather than vehicles pretending to be trucks. It really seems like we’re coming full circle to cars more similar in shape to what we saw before Bill Mitchell’s wide and low philosophy changed everything in the 50s.
Anyone happen to notice how this thing looks like a throwback to the 50s and 60s Indy cars?
Yes! Like Jim Clark’s Lotus 38 which Colin Chapman famously said was inspired by the aardvark.
I am a zoologist. I have worked with and studied aardvarks, and even saw aardvarks in the wild. This, kind sir, is no aardvark.
I take it you haven’t worked with Siberian pedigree aardvarks.
Another crossover. *yawn*
Channeling my Chandler innervoice….
“Can that nose BE any longer?”
Is the driver even near the front half of the car?
“The rest of the Mazda press release is filled with flowery language, so we will dispense without.”
Well, FINE THEN! I’ll just go to AutoBlog.
On a serious note, I am currently trying to talk someone into buying a CX7. I wish Mazda the best.
Please don’t. When the turbo starts belching smoke and the engine goes supernova, they won’t be your friend anymore.
Just remember our own Steven Lang found it to be the most unreliable used car on the market.