Turbo-petrol Mazda CX-5 on the way

MAZDA Australia is readying a range-topping 170kW/420Nm 2.5-litre turbo-petrol CX-5 medium SUV that could land in local showrooms before year’s end, according to Australia Design Rule (ADR) documentation seen by GoAuto.

Though not yet confirmed for an official release, Mazda Australia senior manager of public relations Sonia Singh said the company would be open to bringing the turbo-petrol version here.

“The current range that we have on offer for CX-5 is doing really well, but obviously the engine has been really well received in both CX-9 and Mazda6, so if it was something that was made available I’d love for us to explore it further and see whether it was something that Australian consumers were after,” she said.

The documents also show the updated CX-5 range will also carry over the existing naturally aspirated 115kW 2.0-litre and 140kW 2.5-litre petrol engines, as well as the 140kW 2.2-litre turbo diesel that were updated earlier this year in May.

The aforementioned 2.5-litre turbo petrol debuted in 2016 under the bonnet of the CX-9 large SUV, and was added to the Mazda6 mid-sizer in May.

Punters can expect the turbo-petrol engine in the CX-5 to be paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, as is the case with the CX-9 and Mazda6, while an all-wheel drivetrain is likely to be the only configuration.

Adding the turbocharger increases tare weight by 100kg compared to the aspirated 2.5-litre petrol version, while braked towing capacity increases by 200kg to 2000kg, matching the pulling power of the diesel.

The ADR documents also suggest 19-inch hoops and a sunroof will come as standard.

As such, expect to see the turbo-petrol engine available exclusively on higher-grade GT and Akera grades as an option.

For the first eight months in 2018, Mazda has sold 18,679 examples of the CX-5, representing an 8.1 per cent rise over the same time last year.

The Mazda CX-5 is Australia’s best-selling SUV and competes in the lucrative medium SUV segment, outselling the likes of the Toyota RAV4 (15,307), Nissan X-Trail (14,037), Hyundai Tucson (13,768), Honda CR-V (11,247) and Mitsubishi Outlander (10,906).

It is also the brand’s second best-selling model after the Mazda3 small car that has racked up 22,503 new registrations in 2018.