The Mazda CX-7 is a heck of a crossover SUV in stock form. Now the company's performance shop, Mazdaspeed, has gotten its hands on a CX-7, just in time for this year's SEMA show. Since the CX-7 already has the same engine and driveline as the Mazdaspeed6, they decided to give it a six-speed manual transmission, too. Engine power was boosted from the 244-hp norm to an even 300 horses. The vehicle's height was also lowered significantly. Add extreme 22-inch wheels and copious amounts of body work, and you get one mean-looking Mazda.

While the paint scheme, interior and, most definitely, the wheel size will never make it to a production car, we don't doubt Mazda is considering a Mazdaspeed version of the solid-selling CX-7 to go along with ones it has produced for the Mazda3 and Mazda6.

AUTOWEEK

May 28, 2006

With the CX-7, Mazda has created a vehicle that is not easily categorized. Is it a minivan? A sport utility vehicle? A wagon? Actually, it's none of the above. Though Mazda says the CX-7 is an SUV, it's really not because an SUV, even a sedan-based one, has a little more ground clearance and maybe a roof rack.

Similarly, the CX-7 is not a minivan because the roof is too low and there's not enough room behind the second row of seats. There is no third row, which also limits its "minivan-ness" and at the same time reminds us there will be a CX-9 later this year.

CX-7 also is too agile-looking to really be a minivan.

And it's not a wagon because it's too tall.

That leaves crossover, a term so ill-defined that it could mean almost anything, although it usually is categorized as a car-based design produced with the general shape of an SUV.

Meanwhile, Mazda has gone to some lengths to assure us the CX-7 is not just a MazdaSpeed6 sedan with a larger body, although the vehicle has more in common with the MazdaSpeed6 than it does with other Mazdas or Fords. It has the same powertrain, available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and it has much of the same suspension, though much of that is tuned specifically to this application.

But the CX-7 also has Mazda5, Mazda3, European Ford Focus and Ford Edge in there. It is a parts-bin wonder but a wonderful sum of all parts.

Imagine driving a larger, heavier, far more practical MazdaSpeed6.

The 2.3-liter direct-injection turbocharged four is detuned from 274 hp. to 244; the transmission is still a six-speed but an automatic, and the 18-inch wheels are still 18s, though they are 235/60 H-rated all-seasons instead of 245/40 summer rubber.

The vehicle weighs 3,710 pounds, goes from zero to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds, and is EPA-rated at 20.9 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving.

All of the above makes you feel like your MazdaSpeed6 suddenly and violently grew. The CX-7 is 3 inches longer, 3 inches wider, 8.5 inches taller and a couple of hundred pounds heavier, but it still has something of the 6's responsive touch.

The power rack-and-pinion steering is responsive enough, and the front struts and rear multilink suspension are well above average by crossover standards.

The automatic and detuned engine means midrange acceleration is a bit sluggish, though.

Go for a pass on the freeway and you have to wait for the kickdown, wait for the revs, and then later the car starts moving forward. But the CX-7 launches well off the line for such a large vehicle.

Inside, the monster windshield makes you feel like you're landing an atrium on a carrier deck. Dashboard elements show up intermittently, reflected in the big glass.

The two-plus-three seating is spacious and comfortable, and the back seats flop flat at the tug of wall-mounted releases to open a 70-inch-long load surface (39 inches with the seats up). The CX-7 makes the most of its size, but there are many minivans and larger SUVs that offer more.

Pricing starts at $24,310, including the destination charge; a fully loaded CX-7 would probably run about $32,000.

Mazda predicts it will sell 40,000 a year.

MAZDA KEEPS THE ADRENALINE FLOWING IN SIN CITY--All-new CX-7 gets a boost for 2006 SEMA Show—Blurring the lines between a sport-utility vehicle and a sports car, at the Specialty Equipment Market Association's (SEMA) annual show here, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today unveiled a more powerful, more aggressive CX-7 SUV, code-named Adrenaline. Designed and built by Mazda Design North America in Irvine, Calif., Adrenaline is a truly high-performance sport-crossover vehicle designed to promote the essence of all Mazdas, best described as the 'Emotion of Motion.'Based on the all-new Mazda CX-7, Adrenaline is a fully running prototype that showcases Mazda's commitment to performance. 'Adrenaline is athletically inspired for people who demand a car that is as lean and fit as they are and represents their passions, yet doesn't sacrifice in hauling those passions around,' said Franz von Holzhausen, design director, MNAO. 'Adrenaline is tuned like an avid cyclist, and delivers on the promise.'To give Mazda's latest crossover SUV a true sports car feel, Mazda engineers converted the CX-7's stock six-speed automatic transmission to a six-speed manual, and, as CX-7 shares its driveline with MAZDASPEED6, they naturally chose to use the same transmission found in the MAZDASPEED6.With the help of rallyist and drifter Rhys Millen and his team in Huntington Beach, Calif., Adrenaline pushes out more than 300 horsepower, thanks to a re-tuned engine with a modified intake system, header with a free-flow exhaust and more boost from the re-plumped turbo. Other performance enhancements include a remote oil cooler and repositioned intercooler located opposite the oil cooler in the front fascia.A wider, lower stance and a bold new face give the all-wheel-drive Adrenaline an aggressive and firmly planted sporty stance. Unique design cues include new front and rear exterior styling, a clam shell front clip, wrap around rear spoiler and an innovative rear glass design. New fenders and doors give Adrenaline a three-inch wider overall stance. Wheel wells are filled out through the fitment of 22-inch EXE wheels with a greater-than-stock offset and 285/35-R22 Yokohama tires, providing an aggressive look and sure on-the-road ride and handling.Re-trimmed to suit an avid cyclist, Adrenaline's interior includes a leather-wrapped instrument panel, a center console-integrated iPOD and sporty, laser-etched front and rear bucket seats. An integrated bike rack runs down the spine of the roof, while clear moon -roof panels run from header to spoiler, adding to the feeling of space in the interior. Removable DVD systems from Visteon are integrated into the interior roof panel.Inspired by the yellow jerseys worn by bicyclists to signify stage and overall winners, Mazda designers chose gradating yellow paint theme, which gives the impression of the vehicle punching through the atmosphere. It is bright, bold and sporty.Guaranteed to turn heads at SEMA, Adrenaline delivers on the promise of Zoom-Zoom and adroitly crosses the line between an SUV and a sports car – more practical, but just as much fun.

Fully loaded.

Icy blue

grand touring GT package

navigation

hids

leather

reverse camera

AWD

not mine, but highly highly influnced by me to buy either a mazda or a jeep. Pictures to come soon