Mazda Unveils the All-New CX-5

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation today unveiled the all-new Mazda CX-5 crossover SUV. The fully redesigned model, which refines every element of Mazda’s design and technology to offer new dimensions of driving pleasure, will be launched in Japan in February before being rolled out to global markets.

All-new Mazda CX-5 (with North American specifications)

The slogan for development of the all-new CX-5 was “an SUV all customers will enjoy,” and Mazda aimed to add a new dimension by offering driving pleasure that everyone on board can enjoy—not just the driver. The model is engineered in line with human sensibilities to deliver responsive performance that conforms to the driver’s expectations. It also prioritizes passenger comfort, with a quiet cabin and pleasant ride feel, and adopts G-Vectoring Control, the first of the SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS vehicle motion control technologies. Designed under the KODO—Soul of Motion design theme, the exterior is both bold and sensual, and the interior has been crafted to give occupants a pleasant feeling. The body color lineup includes the newly developed Soul Red Crystal, which highlights the beauty and quality of Mazda’s KODO designs.

The powertrain lineup comprises the SKYACTIV-G 2.0 and 2.5 gasoline, and SKYACTIV-D 2.2 diesel engines. All three options offer powerful, linear driving performance and outstanding environmental performance.

The all-new CX-5 will be on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show, open to the public Nov. 18-27.1

Launched in 2012, the CX-5 was the first new-generation model featuring SKYACTIV technology2 and KODO design. It has since grown into a core model that is sold in over 120 countries and accounts for approximately one quarter of Mazda’s global sales volume.3 It has won around 90 awards worldwide, including 2012-2013 Japan Car of the Year.4

By providing driving pleasure to everybody who drives or rides in one of its vehicles, Mazda aims to enrich people’s lives and become a brand with which customers feel an emotional connection.

*1        Mazda will hold a press conference at the show at 12:50 p.m. on Nov. 16, the first of two press days.

*2        SKYACTIV is an umbrella term for Mazda's next-generation technologies, including gasoline and diesel engines, transmissions, body and chassis, developed to provide both driving pleasure and outstanding environmental and safety performance, based on the company's Sustainable Zoom-Zoom long-term vision for technology development.

*3        As of November, 2016. Based on in-house data.

*4        As of November, 2016. Based on in-house data.

Mazda Develops New Body Color, Soul Red Crystal, to Symbolize KODO Design

--Advanced Version of Soul Red to Be Used from All-New CX-5--

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has developed a new body color, Soul Red Crystal, to symbolize its KODO—Soul of Motion design. The new color will debut on the all-new Mazda CX-5, on sale in Japan from February next year, before being rolled out to new and existing models. 

In the belief that “color is an element of form,” Mazda has focused on developing colors that highlight the beauty and quality of its KODO designs. Soul Red Crystal is an advanced version of Soul Red that balances vibrant energy and vividness with clear depth and gloss. It boasts 20 percent greater color saturation and 50 percent more depth than Soul Red, for a fresher, lustrous transparence.

The paint retains a simple three-layer structure comprising clear, translucent and reflective coats, but represents an evolution of Mazda’s Takuminuri painting technology. Takuminuri gives mass-production vehicles a precise, high-quality finish that looks like it has been hand-sprayed by a master craftsman. It has been used previously with Soul Red and Machine Gray.

The new paint’s translucent layer features a newly developed highly saturated red pigment for a richer red. In addition to high-brilliance, extremely thin aluminum flakes, the reflective coat features light-absorbing flakes that intensify shaded areas and make it possible to achieve a depth of color that previously required two layers.

The aluminum flakes were made a uniform size, the consistency of the paint was enhanced and a technique to shrink the volume of paint during the drying process was employed. This results in even, smooth coverage of the aluminum and light-absorbing flakes on the car’s body and more precise control of light reflection, making for a substantially deeper and more vivid color.

Coat Structure of Soul Red Crystal

This coat structure technology combines coloring and functionality, enabling Mazda to apply Soul Red Crystal, a designer color that would usually require more layers, in the same environmentally friendly paint shops that produce its regular body colors.

In the belief that “color is an element of form,” Mazda will continue to develop new colors and paint technologies, and work to be a brand that maintains a strong emotional connection with customers.