Guess Who: Mazda to Debut Mystery Crossover at Geneva Auto Show
It’s the Chicago Auto Show this week, but some manufacturers are already teasing models for March’s Geneva International Motor Show. Despite many automakers taking a powder on next month’s event, Mazda just announced plans to unveil a new compact crossover in Switzerland.
Our best guess is that this is a preliminary concept for something that could eventually morph into the next-generation CX-9. However, there’s also an equally good chance Mazda may be testing the waters for a return of the CX-7 or possibly delivering an updated version of the CX-4 that’s only available in China right now.
While the low roofline seems to indicate something smaller and more compact, we don’t yet know how conceptual the design will be. Small greenhouses are all the rage on idea cars but even a pre-production take on the next CX-9 would probably offer more headroom than what’s seen in the photo.
All Mazda has said is that the unidentified crossover will be the “second model in the company’s new-generation line-up” and feature a more mature version of the company’s Kodo design language. The crossover will also help to showcase the brand’s newest Skyactiv engines and their features, including Mazda’s Spark Plug Controlled Compression Ignition (SPCCI) technology.
We looked into what else Mazda plans on bringing to Geneva and the CX-9 was suspiciously absent from its list. So was the CX-4; however, that’s less surprising, as the model isn’t currently sold anywhere in Europe. Whatever this new car is, the wrapper will come off on Tuesday, March 5th.
[Image: Mazda]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Another CUV Zoom Zzzzzzzzzz
Ford should have kept its small shareholding in Mazda. For such a small company they make uniformly beautiful cars, can engineer platforms that are engaging and reliable and have quality down too. Why hasn’t anyone bought into Mazda and at the very least progress form their amazing vehicle lineup?
I know I am dreaming, but here is hoping it is a crossover version of the Mazda 6 wagon. That wagon is some forbidden fruit I would love here in the USA. I know people say this all the time, but I would buy it.... provided of course I was in the market for a new car. Which admittedly isnt all that often.
If it's a crossover, even from Mazda, it's "Guess who cares?"