Test drive Mazda CX-7 2007-2009 SUV
Word and deed
The Japanese company Mazda got into a short row of automakers who not only have sports ambitions, but also successfully implement them. Before the start of the European test drive, I climbed into press releases for messages about the positioning of the car. The Japanese primarily talk about the genes of a sports car and the intention of shaking the SUV segment in the European market. The statements are bold, we must recall for his words, CX-7 made his debut in the form of a CROSSSPORT concept car in 2005 at a Detroit car dealership. A year later, the exhibition sample naturally turned into a serial, which was launched on the American market and in a gray form has long been working around Russia. After another year, the car reached the Old World. Moreover, largely due to the activity of our representative office, Mazda, the company's head office finally made a decision on the supply of cars to Europe and Russia.
The design is made in a recognizable corporate identity. Here you have pronounced front wings in the spirit of the RX-8, and the FAS, reminiscent of Mazda6 and Mazda3. There are also new findings, for example, a smooth bend of the window sill in the rear. The car has accented arches and elegant rear lights. And under the bumper you can see chrome bells of the exhaust system, diluted on the sides. In the arches, 18-inch wheels with rubber 235/60. The general view is muscular and fit, it is quite consistent with the philosophy of Mazda. And inside?
The front panel is absolutely solid. Noteworthy step in the upper part. The central console is generously finished with plastic, imitating polished metal. The steering wheel is three-spitz, its design refers to Mazda MX-5. The knob of the μPP lever is exactly the same as the machines of the MPS family. The arrows of the devices placed in deep wells look strictly down. And only armchairs without severe side support, covered with slippery skin, fall out of this pseudo -collar ensemble. However, sitting down, you fall into them a little, so the fixation takes place. In addition, chairs are perfectly distributed by body weight, which is important on a long trip. A pretty key-card (option) from the pocket does not necessarily read the sensors read the signal, and the car is started by turning the handle located at the usual place of the ignition lock. Immediately, the devices are highlighted bright red, and a familiar turbo engine wakes up under the hood. Yes, this is the same unit that we managed to study on versions of MPS Mazda3 and Mazda6. MZR 2.3 Disi Turbo is equipped with direct fuel injection and boost. Power for the European model is 260 hp. With this engine, it accelerates to 100 km/h in only 8 seconds and reaches 210 km/h. However, Russian enthusiasts on crossovers will have an unpleasant surprise. There will be no manual transmission, but there will only be an automatic machine from an American, and therefore the engine power is reduced to 238 hp. (According to the company, the automatic transmission cannot convey more torque).
Acceleration to a hundred with an automatic machine is more than 0.2 seconds, and the maximum speed will be only 180 km/h. The only plus is the possibility of using gasoline with an octane number 95. For our market, a hassle is also provided for our market a little softer of the European version and slightly tougher than the American one. The middle ground is served. Well, in this case, we will get acquainted with the most extreme version of the CX-7 prepared for Europe. Sports genes, where are you? I note that in Europe there are bad roads. But we got to them later. And first there was a city of Paris and a network of smooth highway in its environs. The light clutch turned out to be quite informative to move smoothly from the very beginning. In addition to me, there were two passengers in the cabin plus a common luggage, but this did not affect the dynamics the car powerfully broke off and began to confidently gain speed. The turbo engine pleased with elasticity, it is confidently lucky since 2000 rpm. This is the merit of a large working volume and a system of fuel injection, due to which it was possible to increase the degree of compression. As a fan of fast driving, I immediately began to twist the motor almost to the limiter. He loves this power smoothly increases in the entire speed range, reaching the maximum value at the mark of 5500 r/min. There is no obvious capture in the character, and it is very convenient to control the traction.
On smooth coverage, the work of the suspension and steering seems to be perfect. Excellent feedback, clear and quick reactions to the movement of the steering wheel, a minimum of rolls and a complete absence of buildup. At the same time, it is not at all felt, so that all this. And only when the route led us off the highway to the slightly broken rural roads, did I realize that exemplary behavior on a smooth solid coating is a consequence of the rigidity of the suspension. Passengers also felt this. Shocks and throws up on irregularities very pretty, the profile of the road is tracked in detail by the body. Here I would even venture to draw a parallel with the mentioned MPS versions. The rigidity of the chassis is complemented by the energy intensity of excellent setting. It is not for nothing that the company testers diligently drove prototypes for Nürburgring and German autobahns at the stage of refinement. By the way, Mazda not only worked with the chassis for the European version, but also strengthened the body. Now it is clear why Mazda has developed a separate set of springs and shock absorbers for Russia. We have much fewer ideal roads, and most of the time for the sake of a sports idea, most potential buyers are unlikely to agree. We will definitely take the Russian version to the test to figure out how different it is from the European one. By the way, according to subjective sensations, she goes much more fun and interesting than her main competitors in the person of Mitsubishi Outlander XL and Nissan Murano. Really driver, perhaps the most
driversal in its class. And what about practicality? Having lost its place for the wheel of a colleague, I took a place in the second row. Spacious. The ceiling does not press, and in the shoulders a decent supply. And the trunk is roomy (4551348 l), and the loading height is not very large. In addition, the backs of the rear seats are easily folded for this enough to pull on special levers in the luggage compartment. The floor of the trunk of a double -sided one will allow you to transport wet or dirty items with minimal consequences.
The CX-7 pleasantly surprised with sound insulation. The engine is heard just as much as necessary, the arches do not annoy, and noise from the street does not come at all. The optional BOSE audio system with nine speakers and the function of the panoramic sound Centerpoint plays well. CX-7 car is all-wheel drive. Like Mazda6 MPS, a circuit with an electronically controlled coupling is used, which, if necessary, connects the rear bridge. By default, all thrust is transmitted to the front wheels, and can go back up to 50% of the moment. The all -wheel drive control system is integrated into the stabilization DSC. The latter slows down the masking wheels and plays a moment scattering it along the axes, returning the car to the desired trajectory. By the way, the DSC does not turn off (only anti -circulation TCS can be strewn). It turns out that the European version of the CX-7 is a very practical crossover with pronounced driverships. I do not think that these qualities in the Russian version will worsen strongly, so a potential bestseller can be stated to us.
Prices and configuration
The car is offered in two Touring and Sport trim levels. For both, one motor is provided (2.3-turbo, 238 hp) and a five-speed machine. Touring is estimated at about 1,141,000 rubles. The list of standard options includes the color of metallic, a fabric salon, a multifunctional steering wheel, skin-sheated, climate control, cz, heated front seats, a route computer, a complete set of electronic control systems, immobilizer, security alarm, halogen headlights, headlight washer, headlights, headlights, R18 discs, CDs with four speakers. For Sport they ask for from 1,239,000 to 1,265,000 rubles. A leather salon, hatch, drivers of driver's seat, a non -clock access system, rain sensor, xenon headlights, fog -tunnel, an audio system of Bose with nine speakers are added.
Leonty Tyutelev
Source: Motor magazine [September 2007]
