Speaking to CarAdvice after this week's Mazda technology forum in Frankfurt, Mazda Australia marketing boss Alastair Doak confirmed availability of the CX-8 for our market.
“So, it's now our decision whether to sell it in Australia. We have to work out how to position it within our line-up, among other things.” Doak said.
The Mazda CX-8, which was originally said to be intended specifically for the Japanese market, is a more coupe-like version of the CX-9 SUV, but still offers the availability of seven seats.
Even though the CX-8 and CX-9 (the latter outlined in red above) ride on the same 2930mm wheelbase, the CX-8 measures shorter overall: 4900mm to the CX-9’s 5075mm. It is also markedly narrower (1840mm to 1969mm), and does not sit as tall (1730mm to 1747mm).
The CX-8 will also be set apart by its powertrain, which will be a 2.2-litre turbo diesel setup instead of the 2.5-litre turbo-petrol unit the rest of the world gets with the CX-9.
That powertrain differentiation, Doak says, may be its unique selling point and a reason to bring the model here as the Japanese brand currently doesn’t offer a seven-seater diesel option.
“It would give us a diesel seven-seat option - something that we don't currently have,” he said.
The 2.2-litre diesel engine fitted to the CX-8 overseas is currently in use in the CX-5, with power outputs of 129kW of power and 420Nm of torque, that compares to the CX-9’s petrol unit delivering 170kW and 420Nm.
Even so, Doak says that the decision on bringing CX-8 is still a few months away while the model's arrival - if it got the green light - remains “more than 12 months away”.
Does the Mazda CX-8 make sense for the Australian market? Let us know in the comments below.
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