Mazda recently unveiled its new flagship vehicle, the CX-90 seven-seat SUV in
California. The eventual replacement for the ageing CX-9, its expected to be launched
here in August this year with the two models selling alongside each other until at least
the end of 2023.
The CX-90 will be the third two-digit Mazda SUV joining the well-established small CX-
30 and the mid-sized CX-60 due to arrive here next month.
Described by Mazda as the brand’s most luxurious model ever made the CX-90 will
come with the choice of high-output petrol or diesel engines both of which use a new
inline-six turbocharged 3.3-litre configuration supported by a 48-volt mild hybrid motor.
With outputs of 254kW and 500Nm the CX-90’s e-Skyactiv G (G50e) petrol engine is
the most powerful production Mazda powerplant ever. This represents close to a 50 per
cent increase in power and 19 per cent in torque over the CX-9’s 2.5-litre turbo petrol
engine.
This equates to a 0-100km/h acceleration of 6.9 seconds -1.7 seconds faster than the
CX-9.
Despite the extra pulling power on offer, the turbo-petrol engine is listed at 8.2 litres per
100km combined with CO2 emissions of 189g/km of CO2 – an improvement of almost
10 per cent over the CX-9.
Maximum power output from the e-Skyactiv D turbo-charged diesel (D50e) engine is
187kW with peak torque of an impressive 550Nm.
Fuel consumption is a class-leading combined cycle 5.4 litres per 100km with CO2
output listed at 143g/km.
Both engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The 48V M Hybrid Boost MHEV system ensures that during idling and speeds the
engine is supplemented by the electric motor, improving overall emissions and
reducing the frequency of fuel fill-ups, while the e-Skyactiv G also takes advantage of a
higher compression ratio for better fuel efficiency.
A Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) variant is likely to be added to the local CX-90 range next
year.
Full local pricing and specification for the Mazda CX-90 is due to be announced later
this month.
