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The Oakville Beaver, The Mazda CX-7 crossover sport-utility By JIM ROBINSON Road Worthy The 2007 Mazda-CX-7 crossover sportutility vehicle SUV is the first of three important all-new Mazda vehicles designed and engineered specifically for the North American market. Mazda considers the CX-7 a clean break from the more than 70 SUVs currently offered in Canada. At the press launch of the CX-7, project manager Shunsuke Kawasaki said the objec tive was to combine a sportscar and a SUV in a crossover built entirely on Mazda-derived platform architecture. Unlike most SUVs with V6 or V8 engines, Mazda surprised many by using a version of their 2.3-litre, four-cylinder engine. But it's not just any version but the turbocharged and intercooled, twin-cam direct-injection gasoline engine that produces 244 hp. Called the MZR 2.3 DISI (Direct Injection Spark Ignition), the engine's torque peaks at a low 2,500 rpm at 258 lb/ft. This motor is very similar to the one used in the red-hot MazdaSpeed6 sports sedan. Considering that the suspension is similar to Mazda6, you have to wonder what's going to happen when the hot-rodders get their hands on some MazdaSpeed parts and graft them into the CX-7. Even in "stock" trim, the CX-7 should show its heels to more than a few established sports sedans. There is one transmission, a six-speed electronic automatic with manual Sport Mode sequential shift. In manual mode you pull back to shift up a gear and push forward to go down which my driving partner and I agreed seemed the reverse of what one would expect. We were told our testers were pre-pro duction and did not have the final tweaks like 2 mm thicker front glass to cut down wind noise. Because torque comes in low on the rev range, both versions got down to business quickly and the DISI engineering should leave no one wishing for a V6 or V8. ^Likewise, handling is a blast thanks to the collection of proven Mazda components all of which have been designed to give the CX-7 that zoom-zoom sporty car feel. The steering in particular is at once positive in feedback but not notchy as you approach the far end of either steering lock. You can see the overall family resem blance to the Mazda5 but it's racier. The 66degree rake angle of the windshield is sleek er than many SUVs and even some sports cars. Signature character lines run through the A pillars along the edges of the hood to the front fascia. An enlarged Mazda fivepointed grille below the bumper line, like the MazdaSpeed6 and prominent front fend ers, like the RX-8, express a clear Mazda family identity. Looking at it from the side, the belt line rises over the curved roof that is accentuat ed by the aggressive fenders. The CX-7 draws much of its looks from the 1995 RX01 concept that later became the RX8 sportscar. Like the Mazda3 and Mazda5, the interi or looks richer than the price point sug gests. The dash is a "double-roof' design with a small "roof' over the three-pot instru ment cluster that is positioned j u s t below the large "roof' that extends across the entire dashboard panel - the idea being to tie in the driver and front seat passenger. The CX-7 is available in front-wheel drive (FWD) or Mazda's Active Torque-Split all wheel drive (AWD). The AWD uses a com puter-controlled coupling integrated with the rear differential to deliver up to half the available torque to the rear wheels on demand. While this is happening, sensors monitor engine information, individual wheel speeds, anti-lock brake system (ABS) opera tion and the CX-7's standard Dynamic Continued on Page 1 6 Pony Package includes: · Handling Package · 17" Premium Painted Cast Aluminum Wheels · Pony Center Cap · Fog Lamps From $24,795 stock #6G032 Coupe FINANCING FOR 36 MONTHS plus freight ($1200) and all taxes. 570 TRAFALGAR ROAD, OAKVILLE « AT THE QEAV » mnV.OAKLAXDFORDLIXCOLX.CA 1-866-39S-4270