Bermaz revealed back in April it could launch the
second-generation CX-5 in Malaysia by September or October this year. It
appears a local dealer can’t wait to begin hawking the model, and has uploaded
a “coming soon” post on its Facebook page.
The new CX-5 features the same engine line-up as
before – 2.0 and 2.5 litre SkyActiv-G petrol engines as well as a sole 2.2
litre SkyActiv-D diesel – all of which are currently available for the
first-gen model on sale now. Its likely these engines will be offered when
the second-gen model is launched here.
The new car measures 4,550 mm in length (-5 mm
without a license plate holder), 1,840 mm in width (unchanged) and 1,690 mm in
height (+20 mm), with a wheelbase of 2,700 mm (unchanged). The sharp, new
styling is influenced by the CX-3 and CX-9, with highlights including a new
grille, slimmer headlights and A-pillars that have been moved back. The CX-5
also gets receives a new exterior body colour called Soul Red Crystal, an
evolution of Mazda’s trademark Soul Red Metallic.
Moving inside, the cabin of the new CX-5 is world’s
apart from its predecessor, with a completely redesigned dashboard. There’s now
a free-standing touchscreen for the infotainment system and more angular
air-con vents as well.
Elsewhere, there’s the new three-spoke steering wheel
from the CX-9, accompanied by other items such as the air-con switchgear,
Commander Control dial, gear selector, engine start/stop button, full-colour
Active Driving Display, 10-speaker Bose sound system and 4.6-inch colour TFT
LCD display instrument cluster, some of which are as per current Mazda models.
Other improvements over the previous model include
better NVH performance, and the adoption of Mazda’s SkyActiv-Vehicle Dynamics
vehicle motion control technologies, which includes brand’s G-Vectoring Control
(GVC) system.
The second-gen CX-5 will be a
locally-assembled (CKD) model from Mazda Malaysia’s Inokom plant in Kulim. The
facility, which is currently being upgraded, will allow CKD models to be
painted with the brand’s premium colours like Soul Red Metallic (Soul Red
Crystal as well?) and Machine Gray.