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Mazdas? SUV gets bigger


The CX-9 is due to hit the showrooms in December, the large SUV will boast a 3.7-litre V6 engine.

In Japanese spec it produces 204kW of power at 6350rpm and 366Nm of torque at 4250rpm.

The Mazda CX-7 uses a 2.3-litre four-cylinder but the turbocharged petrol engine gives 175kW of power. The CX-9 is built on a different platform, having a wheelbase of 2875mm and a total body length of 5074mm.

Mazda says Australia will be the first market to get the 3.7-litre version of the CX-9. It will be available in two grades; Luxury and Classic. Prices are expected to start in the low $50,000s.

The CX-9 will sit on 18 or 20-inch wheels, depending on the version, and have three rows of seats. However, reasonable luggage space will remain; even when the third seating row is in use; 480 litres, which is comparable to a decent-sized normal car boot.

Fold the third seat-row away and there's 928 litres of space to play with.

The second-seat row is split 40-60 and can slide forward and aft 12cm.

Mazda adds a wide door opening for third-row passengers to step in behind the second-row seat.

CX-9s being built for Australia have stability control, roll-stability control, touch-screen audio with reversing camera, six airbags, cruise control, power windows and three-zone, climate-control airconditioning with separate control for the rear.

Mazda's 'active torque split' all-wheel-drive system is used. It will automatically adjust torque distribution to the front and rear wheels from 100 per cent front wheels to 50-50.