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Mazda hints at new-generation CX-7 to fill the gap between CX-5 and CX-9

A new-generation Mazda CX-7 that could fill the gap between the highly-popular CX-5 and the much larger CX-9 has been hinted at by the company’s Australian chief.


Mazda Australia managing director Martin Benders suggested to CarAdvice that there could be a gap to be filled in between the smaller and larger SUVs in its range.

“What would a CX-7 look like?” Benders posited. “How many people would it carry?”

The obvious answer is smaller than 5.1-metre CX-9, larger than the 4.5-metre CX-5, and with seating for five or seven a la the Nissan X-Trail and Mitsubishi Outlander.

Benders raised his eyebrows at such suggestions.

“That would be interesting,” he said with a grin.

When asked if a new CX-7 that would perform exactly those tasks was on his hit-list, Benders replied: “I ask for a lot of things.”

The CX-9 – which is expected to be replaced by an all new model in the coming 18-24 months – is starting to lose momentum in the sales race against newer competitors, according to Benders.

“Well you’ve got new Kluger and new Pathfinder in there. We’re the oldest one amongst those,” he said.

“There’s been a bit of a rise in diesel. I guess Santa Fe is doing alright with their diesel.”

When asked if a diesel could ever eventuate in the current CX-9, Benders gave a further hint that their might be a new model to offer family buyers the oil-burning option they desire.

“No [there won’t be a diesel] - not in CX-9,” he said. “It’s a bit like the Kluger’s problem. It’s engineered for a left-hand-drive market.”

Mazda has sold 2037 CX-9s so far in 2014, with sales down more than 20 per cent year-to-date. Sales of the CX-5, however, are booming – 12,901 units have been sold this year, up 10 per cent on last year’s figure in a market that is down overall.

Mazda previously sold a five-seat CX-7 model in Australia, but that car was replaced by the lighter, far more efficient and smaller CX-5 in 2012.

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