First Sketch: Mazda Minagi Concept

Images of what we believe to be a Geneva show concept from Mazda leaked onto the Internet today. The red SUV concept called Minagi is destined to become a CX-5 or next-generation CX-7 in toned-down production form.

Clearly influenced by Mazda’s new design language that first appeared on its Shinari concept, the Minagi SUV loses the smiling grille that has defined the lineup for a few years now. Not too long ago, prototypes of the CX-5 were caught winter testing. Adding a CX-5 to the U.S. Mazda lineup could help the automaker reach buyers who want a crossover with a base price of under $20,000. The Tribute and CX-7 both feature base prices above that barrier.

Mazda hasn’t confirmed that the leaked content is genuine, but even if this isn’t the CX-5, 2012 will be the sixth model year for the CX-7, a crossover in need of an update soon.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

Spied: 2013 Mazda CX-5

The compact crossover market is hot, hot, hot and Mazda may be looking at a way to increase its share. Recently, in the wintery clime of the Alps, our spy shooters found this prototype, presumably undergoing winter testing.

Looking very much like a shorter, chopped CX-7, this crossover is based on the Mazda3 and could be powered by one of Mazda's new breed of fuel-efficient engines - either the gasoline-powered Skyactiv-G or diesel-powered Skyactiv-D. Odds are that the new Skyactiv transmission can also be found here, helping to boost fuel economy yet another notch. We suspect the car would be dubbed CX-5, in relation to the current CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles.

The new 1.4-liter Skyactive engines will be direct-injected with extremely high compression ratios of 14.0:1. The gasoline variant is slated to achieve 70 mpg when it rolls out in the Japanese market Mazda2 next year. Skyactiv transmissions include dual-clutch types as well as CVTs.

It is predicted by our European correspondents that the Mazda CX-5 is a global vehicle and will be sold in Japan, Europe and the U.S. We could hope to see a near-production vehicle in the sheetmetal in late 2011.
Thanks to: Motor Trend