Turbocharged Mazda CX-5 on the way

MAZDA Australia is set to slip the punchy 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine from its CX-9 seven-seat under the bonnet of its just launched CX-5 as a new sporty variant in the crossover range.

The Japanese car-maker introduced its new blown petrol powertrain when it launched the all-new CX-9 last year to replace the ageing and thirsty Ford-sourced 2.7-litre V6 from the previous model.

Speculation has suggested that the new 170kW/420Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol unit would show up in a performance-honed version of the Mazda3, but it appears that the second-generation CX-5 that rolls into showrooms this week is the next candidate.

Speaking with GoAuto at the CX-5 media launch in Queensland, Mazda Australia marketing director Alastair Doak said the company’s Aussie outpost has its hands up for a turbocharged CX-5, adding that it would not replace the existing 140kW/251Nm naturally aspirated four-pot petrol unit.

“Obviously we have said a few times now we would certainly like it added to the range, but it would be an addition to, I don’t think it would replace anything,” he said. “It would be a performance… that would be obviously a higher-end model in the range I would say. It wouldn’t replace any of the current line-up.”

While Mr Doak said the powertrain would be a hit with buyers, he said such a model was still unconfirmed.

“It is something we think the range would benefit from,” he said. “Customers would respond to a vehicle like that. We are asking but there is nothing confirmed as yet, so nothing in the short term.

“Obviously it is a great engine, a fantastic engine in the CX-9, it would be great in that thing (CX-5).”

The 2.5 turbo is the sole powertrain in the CX-9, but it would form the basis of a new variant in the CX-5 range, alongside the 2.0- and 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol units and the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel.

It is unlikely that the new variant would adopt the famed MPS performance sub-brand badge and would instead be a well-specified sporty flagship.

Timing for the new model is unclear but given the range has just arrived in Australian showrooms, it is unlikely to arrive until sometime next year or in 2019.

There are other models in the segment with turbo-petrol powerplants, but they are not reserved for range-topping variants.

Ford’s Escape has a turbo-only line-up of a 134kW/240Nm 1.5- and 178kW/345Nm 2.0-litre EcoBoost units, while the Hyundai Tucson is available with a 130kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbo.

While the Escape’s larger engine has more power, Mazda’s unit has more torque.