Mazda to launch SUV in October

The Mazda CX-5 will likely become the most fuel-economical sport-utility vehicle (SUV) in its class when it hits Thai showrooms in late October.

                                         The CX-5 is the first Mazda to fully integrate SkyActiv technologies.

Serving as a replacement for the discontinued Tribute, the new compact crossover will come in both petrol and diesel versions.

Although pricing has yet to be announced, executives of Mazda Sales (Thailand) said the Asean-built CX-5 will compete head-on with the Honda CR-V and Chevrolet Captiva.

That means the CX-5 should be priced between 1.2 and 1.3 million baht when equipped with a 155-horsepower two-litre petrol engine and from 1.6 to 1.7 million when armed with a punchy 175-hp 2.2-litre diesel motor.

Under Japan's JC08 fuel-economy standard, the petrol motor rated at 16 kilometres per litre while the diesel made 18.6 kpl in front-wheel-drive versions. Four-wheel-drive models rated at 15.6 kpl and 18 kpl, respectively.

Both models have six-speed automatic transmissions and fuel-saving technologies such as direct-injection and automatic stop/start engine systems.

The diesel's price premium over the petrol is attributed to local excise tax. The two-litre version, which can use E20 gasohol, is levied 25% excise tax, while the diesel version receives no tax incentives and receives a 35% rate.

Even so, the Thai Mazda office expects the diesel version to account for half of total sales due to its attractive combination of power and economic features.

Apart from the Captiva, other compact SUVs sold with a diesel engine in Thailand for less than 2 million baht include the Hyundai Tucson and Ssangyong Korando, both imported from South Korea.

Speaking at a Thai technology forum yesterday, Mazda engineers said the CX-5 is the first Mazda fully to integrate SkyActiv technologies relating to the engine, transmission, body and chassis for lower weight, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and fuel consumption.

They said SkyActiv allows conventional technology to progress without the need for electrified components found in hybrid vehicles.

The new CO2-based taxation system to debut in 2016 should be technology- and power-train-neutral, they said.