Mazda Confirms New Compact SUV Will Be Called Mazda CX-5

DARTFORD, UNITED KINGDOM – April 18, 2011: Mazda Motor Corporation announced today (Monday) that its all-new compact crossover SUV, which is scheduled to launch in the UK in 2012, will be called the Mazda CX-5.

All-new, the Mazda CX-5 is the production model derived from the Mazda MINAGI concept car, which made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March this year, and will also be shown at the New York International Auto Show which opens this week (20 April).

The CX-5 will be the first production vehicle to incorporate Mazda’s ‘KODO – Soul of Motion’ design theme that premiered on the Mazda SHINARI concept car last year. When it appears in Mazda showrooms around the world next year, the compact SUV will feature a full range of Mazda’s breakthrough SKYACTIV technologies, including new-generation engines, transmissions, bodyshell design and chassis engineering.

The “CX” in CX-5 is Mazda’s official designation for its global line-up of crossover SUV vehicles, which also includes the Mazda CX-7 and Mazda CX-9 – depending on individual markets. The CX-5 will be the compact model in the series.

In production form, the Mazda CX-5 will make its international debut at this year’s Frankfurt International Motor Show to be held in Germany in September – before going on sale in 2012.