Mazda CX9 with 3.5L set to launch

[robertlane]

http://www.blueovalnews.com/index.php?cate...2_articleid=219

[OrlandoGuy80]

I like it, but it is hard to distinguish it from a CX-7 without seeing the two side-by-side.

[avi8or63]

It looks astonishingly like the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX. It makes me wonder if we'll be building it here in Oakville???

[sullynd]

It looks astonishingly like the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX. It makes me wonder if we'll be building it here in Oakville???

 

It's a different platform than the Edge/MKX (As is the CX-7 on which it is based). It's being built in Japan. The CX's share more in common with the Mazda5 (Based on C1) than the Mazda6 (CD3 - Edge/MKX)

Edited April 5, 2006 by sullynd

[rkisler]

It's a different platform than the Edge/MKX (As is the CX-7 on which it is based). It's being built in Japan. The CX's share more in common with the Mazda5 (Based on C1) than the Mazda6 (CD3 - Edge/MKX)

 

Sorry, but I don't agree fully with this assessment. The Edge/MarkX are effectively derivatives of the new Mazda MPV. Mazda will be manufacturing the MPV and the CX7 in Japan. The MPV will not be exported to the US; Mazda has learned that crossovers are more interesting to the US market than small minivans. I am assuming, therefore, that the CX7 is another MPV derivative like the Edge/MarkX. Since Mazda and Ford were working jointly on this project, I would think we'll see a fair amount of commonality in the platform, particularly in front structure and engine mounting (they both package the 3.5l), underbody structure, and in front and rear suspensions.

 

But I'm not sure until we get better technical details.....

[DougS]

With seven passenger seating it sounds more like a distant cousin to the Ford Freestyle.

[Kris Kolman]

Here's the details you request... The CX-7 is not based on the Edge, but is a unique car to Mazda. Think of the Lego idea recently expressed by a Ford executive... Getting away from platforms, but going to an approach where you cut and paste subsections from other vehilces together on a unique floorpan and shell. The CX-7 is the first example of this modular approach.

 

TCC Confidential - CX-7: An Only Child

 

Ford's Detroit show release on the Edge says, "Ford outpaced the competition in CUV growth in 2005 and looks to further energize the CUV market in 2006 with the new Edge and two other crossovers - the Lincoln MKX and Mazda CX-7." Although Ford hadn't said anywhere else that the CX-7 was related to the MKX or the Edge, many took the leap from that sentence that they are, and it left us wondering about the extent of any design similarities or parts-sharing.

 

Turns out we weren't the only ones with some lingering questions regarding the CX-7's origins. Taking a quick look around at other coverage, some major press outlets reported ambiguously that the CX-7 is based on the Fusion/Milan or Mazda6 platform; while others are saying that it's built off the Mazda3 platform. And in several cases, we saw the Edge, CX-7, and MKX referred to as triplets.

 

Mazda's Jay Amestoy confirmed that the CX-7 is built on "a platform unique to Mazda," and added that it can't be said that the CX-7 is built on any one existing platform. Amestoy said that while the engine and transmission is straight out of the Mazdaspeed6, as well as the front end, from the powertrain back, there are more similarities with the Mazda5 small minivan (including the same rear suspension arrangement), which is actually based on the Mazda3's platform.

 

Amestoy says that the confusion is understandable, as the CX-7 has a similar shape to the Edge and MKX and is within a few inches of the other two in all critical dimensions; but they do have entirely different underpinnings. -Bengt Halvorson

Edited April 12, 2006 by Kris Kolman

[Blue II]

Slightly OT, but has anyone heard that Mazda would like to buy it's way out of Ford?

Edited April 28, 2006 by Blue II

[mettech]

I would hope that the CX-7 would get the 3.5L too. Does anyone know if it will?