By Otsile Kadiege

Yesterday, Mazda took the veils off the all-new CX-70. The newcomer is slotted between the CX-60 and seven-seater CX-90. The design of the CX-70 is strikingly similar to its stablemates. However, it sets itself apart with sporty wheel designs, 21-inch aluminium wheels, sporty front and rear bumpers and gloss black trimmings all-round.

Premium interior

Like its exterior, the interior of the CX-70 looks identical to the CX-60 and CX-90. Highlights include a minimalist, premium-looking cabin with burgundy/black colour scheme and red contrast stitching. It also features a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, a power remote fold function to quickly fold the second row seats and three underfloor storage compartments to name a few.

Driver assistance systems

The CX-70’s sense of utility and functionality to the driver is further enhanced with several new assistance technologies. One of these is an addition to Cruising & Traffic Support, called Unresponsive Driver Support, that adds an emergency-only system to automatically decelerate and stop the vehicle if the system detects the driver is unresponsive to escalating alerts. 

Performance

Two powertrain configurations are offered: the e-Skyactiv G 3.3 which integrates M Hybrid Boost into a 3.3-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-charged petrol engine developing 254kW and 500Nm (340hp and 369 lb-ft). The e-Skyactiv PHEV which is a plug-in hybrid system combining a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor. It delivers a total system output of 241kW and 500Nm.

Availability

We strongly doubt the CX-70 will make it to our shores due to it being too closely related to the CX-60. We think, however, the Japanese automaker might consider introducing the larger CX-90 seven-seater in SA. That said, Mazda did mention that the CX-70 is developed for the strategic North American market.