Mazda’s new CX-8 could land a surprise start in Australian showrooms.
Mazda Australia stakeholders have expressed a fresh desire to expand their current range of three SUVs to four with the inclusion of the seven-seater, which will be sold exclusively (initially) to the Japanese market from later this year.
According to Mazda Australia spokesman Tony Mee, the business case for the CX-8 in Australia is worth a closer look – contrary to some reports the sporty high-rider has been ruled out.
“We’ve been pretty open with this. The CX-8 is a car that is offered in the Japanese market only, however if it was made available globally it would be something we’d definitely consider,” Mee told motoring.com.au.
The CX-8 sits physically between the CX-9 and CX-5 in the Mazda hierarchy, even though it offers a matching seven-seat layout of the former (or the option of a six-seat layout) and an identical 2930mm wheelbase.
According to Mazda, the CX-8’s 4900mm length is 175mm shorter than the CX-9’s, while the roofline is 17mm lower and the body width matches that of the five-seat CX-5, at 129mm narrower than the CX-9. So a seven-seat CX-5, of sorts.
Another key point of difference is the fitment of a 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine with a six-speed automatic transmission – a sure-fire sales winner in diesel-hungry Australia and a complimentary alternative to the petrol-only CX-9, Carsales' 2016 Car of the Year.
With right-hand drive already a factor for the Japanese-specification CX-8, the adaptation to Australian ADRs would be a fairly straight-forward exercise – at least in theory. In May, Mazda Australia boss Vinesh Bhindi cited local regulations as a key hurdle in landing the CX-8 in Australia. However, that rhetoric now appears to have softened.
“If there was ever to be an ADR version of CX-8 offered to Mazda Australia, we would evaluate this opportunity, and consider its viability in this market… and ask: ‘how does it actually fit amongst the other SUV products we currently offer?” Bhindi said in May.
As it stands, the petrol-powered CX-9 isn’t offered in Japan because of its size. The CX-8 plugs an obvious gap in this regard, replacing the now-defunct Mazda MPV with both its six-seat (2-2-2) and seven-seat (2-3-2) configurations.
In Australia, the dual-SUV strategy has complemented, rather than cannibalised, the market appeal of marques including BMW (X3/X4, X5/X6) and Mercedes-Benz (GLC/GLC Coupe, GLE/GLE Coupe) by offering conventional and sportier options to buyers. The thinking is the CX-8 would offer similar appeal between the CX-5 and CX-9.
In some respects the CX-8 would plug a gap left by the now-defunct CX-7.
Mazda’s smaller CX-4, which is currently built solely for the Chinese market, appears at longer odds to be introduced to Australia, though Mazda Australia hasn’t discounted it all together.
“The CX-4 is made for the Chinese market and not anywhere else, but again, we would consider it,” Mee said.
The acquisition of the CX-8 would only strengthen Mazda’s foothold in the Australian new car sales market. Currently, the Japanese marque holds a strong second overall mid-way through 2017.
The production CX-8 is due to be unveiled at the 2017 Tokyo motor show.