Mazda adds turbo to CX-5
Producing 170kW and 420Nm, the ‘Skyactiv-G 2.5T’ turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is the same unit available on the larger CX-9 and will, for now, be limited to the GT and Akera CX-5 model grades as an option to the 140kW/252Nm 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine and 140kW/450Nm 2.2-litre turbo diesel (the 2.0-litre petrol remains, but only in FWD manual).
“The addition of the celebrated 2.5T engine not only gives breadth of choice to the much-loved Mazda CX-5 line-up, but it further extends the appeal and diversity of our SUV offering in Australia,” said Mazda Australia Managing Director, Vinesh Bhindi. The turbo engine option arrives with other additions and upgrades - both for the upper model grades and across the entire CX-5 range.
These additions do come with price increases, though, which start with a $1,080 increase for the entry-level CX-5 Maxx 2.0 petrol manual, while the turbo upgrade on the GT and Akera adds $2,500 over the naturally-aspirated petrol engine.
The Akera, now nudging premium SUV territory with its $46,670 starting price ($49,670 for the 2.2 diesel and $49,170 for the new 2.5 petrol turbo) adds more luxury appointments inside to justify its pricing, including Dark Russet Nappa leather trim, ventilated front seats, heated outer rear seats, real timber dash and door inserts, a heated steering wheel, frameless rear-view mirror, overhead front and rear seat lighting and ambient LED lighting throughout the cabin.
The Akera also gets a new, exclusive 19-inch alloy wheel design. Maxx Sport and Touring grades have a new grey metallic finish for their 17-inch alloys changed from dark silver, while white LED license plate lighting has been added to all grades.
Across the CX-5 range, an evolution of the Skyactiv-Vehicle Dynamics has been added in the form of G-Vectoring Plus – a form of torque vectoring control. This, Mazda says, enhances vehicle stability for a more assured ride, using the brakes to add direct yaw moment control. As the driver steers out of a corner, light braking force is applied to the outer wheels, providing a stabilising movement that helps restore the vehicle to straight line running.
Suspension has been refined, too. The performance of the front and rear dampers and stabilisers has been enhanced to ease control during low g-force manoeuvres, while offering smoothness and stability during high g-force manoeuvres. The tarmac-biased changes result in what Mazda say is a smoother ride that produces more linear damping forces, while steadily suppressing jounce caused by large inputs.
The i-ACTIV AWD system is largely unchanged, but new bearings in the PTO, rear diff and other areas ensure driveline rigidity under heavy loads and reduced resistance, resulting in a minor improvement in fuel economy.
More safety tech is now standard across the CX-5 range, too, including Mazda Radar Cruise Control, Driver Attention Alert, High Beam Control, Smart Brake Support, Lane Departure Warning and Lane-keep Assist System.
Convenience upgrades include relocated HVAC controls, now part of a single climate control panel, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is now standard equipment on all CX-5 variants. See your Mazda dealer for more details.
