Mazda CX-5 to get petrol power boost
The Mazda CX-5 SUV will gain a more powerful petrol engine option in 2013 when the 2.5-litre four-cylinder from the new Mazda6 medium car is slipped under the bonnet.
Mazda Europe's vice-president of R&D and general manager, Ichiro Hirose, confirmed the new petrol addition at the launch of the new Mazda6 wagon at the 2012 Paris motor show.
"That will come soon. 2013," said Hirose-san when asked by Australian media when the CX-5 would receive the 2.5-litre engine.
Mazda Australia wouldn't commit to the engine officially but the expectation is that it will expand the CX-5's engine line-up from the current 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol and 2.2-litre turbo diesel.
"If something is offered, it's something we'll look at. There is no firm plan [for the 2.5L]," said Mazda Australia spokesman Steve Maciver.
The 2.5-litre would provide a useful petrol alternative for Australian customers who might find the 2.0-litre's throttle response tardier than ideal. The engine can feel underpowered for the CX-5's size and weight.
The 2.5-litre produces 141kW and 256Nm in the Mazda6, an extra 27kW of power and 56Nm of torque compared with the 2.0-litre in the front-wheel-drive CX-5. The 2.0-litre produces marginally lower outputs in the AWD version - 113kW/198Nm.
Fuel consumption for the 2.5-litre is officially rated at 6.3L/100km in the lighter Mazda6. The 2.0-litre CX-5's figure ranges between 6.4 and 6.9L/100km.
It's unknown whether the 2.5 would be offered in both front-drive and all-wheel drive guises.
The Mazda CX-5 launched in Australia in early 2012 and has fast become one of the country's best-selling SUVs.
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