The first car that Dominic Toretto raced in The Fast and The Furious—the very first movie in the phenomenally popular franchise—was an FD-body Mazda RX-7, one of Japan’s most iconic sports cars.
A stock (unmodified) FD-body RX-7 with the original twin-turbo 1.3-liter twin-rotor engine develops 255 hp and 295 Newton-meters of torque. A modified RX-7 like the one Dom Toretto drove would have about 400 hp and 400 Nm of torque.
Forget horsepower (which only gives you top speed and high fuel consumption) and focus instead on the 400Nm of torque, which gives you stunning acceleration and response.
Now take a look at Mazda’s latest SUV. Change the first letter of “RX-7” with a C and switch the last digit from 7 to 5. You get CX-5. You also get a whopping 434 Nm of torque—thanks to the same technology used in the iconic RX-7, turbocharging. In terms of torque to weight ratio, the new 2022 CX-5 All-Wheel Drive Turbo is not too far off the famed RX-7 with its twin turbos: 3.94Nm/kg versus 4.35Nm/kg.
Yes, you can now get a Mazda CX-5 that not only look as elegant and svelte as a luxury German SUV, you can now also get one that can probably outrun them all.
Mazda’s new range-topping CX-5 All-Wheel Drive Turbo is now the king of compact SUVs with its 253ps and 434Nm turbocharged engine. You’d have to go to the legendary Le Mans-winning Mazda 787B to find a Mazda motor with more torque (608Nm) than the new CX-5 Turbo.
“Ever since its introduction in the Mazda CX-9, the Skyactiv-G 2.5T engine has been the centerpiece of Mazda engineering,” shared Steven Tan, president and CEO of Mazda Philippines.
“This engine represents the pinnacle of power and efficiency for Skyactiv engine technology as it provides smooth, effortless acceleration while being mindful of fuel consumption. With the arrival of the 2022 Mazda CX-5, we took this opportunity to also introduce this engine in the CX-5 range to create a new, more exhilarating experience for our clientele. We trust our customers, who have always come to expect true premium levels of design, build quality, and performance, will discover renewed driving fulfillment and profound satisfaction with the 2022 Mazda CX-5 AWD Turbo,” he added.
The Skyactiv-G 2.5L Turbo engine is an engineering marvel. As a Wards 10 Best Engines awardee, the Skyactiv-G 2.5T marries efficiency and refinement with immense power, especially when combined with the Skyactiv-Drive paddle-shifted 6-speed automatic.
In 2012, the original Mazda CX-5 was the first model to incorporate both Skyactiv Technology and Kodo: Soul of Motion design philosophy in the Mazda lineup. Ten years and 3 million units sold later, Mazda’s bestselling model once again introduces a new interpretation of the rich dynamism and emotional appeal of Kodo with the 2022 Mazda CX-5 AWD Turbo.
The new CX-5 sports a new three-dimensional grille and a more robust yet elegant signature wing design. The CX-5 AWD Turbo also has new slim quad LED headlamps and taillamps with Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) with Auto Leveling and High Beam Control. The new CX-5’s usual black claddings have all been painted body color and it now rolls on new 19-inch wheels finished in Bright Silver.
For 2022, the new CX-5 features a new seat design that enhances both comfort and support, especially on long drives. The optimized seat shape conforms to the body’s form and encourages the spine to preserve an S-shaped curve for a more relaxed position.
A reinforced body frame using damping adhesives lessens the intrusion of sound and vibrations while re-tuned springs and dampers help mitigate the occupants’ discomfort and relieve them of impact harshness on bumpy roads.
The 2022 CX-5 AWD Turbo features Deep Red Nappa leather seats. Satin chrome accents now line all control surfaces, including the window and door lock panels for an even more elegant finish, while a frameless rearview mirror tidies up the front view. The roof and pillar trims are finished in black to create an even more formal finish to the interiors.
Working with the CX-5 AWD Turbo’s 8-inch Mazda Connect system is wireless Apple CarPlay along with wireless phone charging. Along with Android Auto connectivity, display and control of the mobile phone’s essential applications such as messaging, music, and call functions is achieved with ease. USB ports front and back ensure mobile devices are charged and connected.
There’s a superb 10-speaker Bose Premium Sound System, a sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear ventilation louvers, and power seats with 10-way and 6-way adjustment along with seat ventilation.
A new 40-20-40 split arrangement for the rear seatbacks allows long objects to be stored along the length of the CX-5 while maximizing seating options for passengers. A raised cargo level with a dividing floor opens up possibilities for various loading configurations, while a power tailgate maximizes ease of loading.
The CX-5 AWD Turbo uses Mazda’s advanced i-Activ All-Wheel Drive system to enhance safety and ensure drivability. The system provides valuable grip on all four wheels as needed over a variety of surfaces without the penalty of increased fuel consumption as found in mechanical AWD systems.
The CX-5’s i-Activ AWD system proactively controls the distribution of torque and maximizes acceleration, cornering, and braking without letting the tires slip. On dry surfaces, i-Activ AWD minimizes sending of torque to the rear wheels, making the CX-5 predominantly a front-wheel drive crossover for better fuel economy.
In addition to six airbags and other passive safety systems, the new CX-5 now features an extensive suite of i-Activsense safety technologies. Active systems that make use of milliwave radar and cameras include Mazda Radar Cruise Control, Lane-Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Smart Brake Support, front and rear Smart City Brake Support and Driver Attention Alert. It also has a 360-degree camera that activates when parking.
Priced at Php 2,380,000, the top-of-the-range 2022 Mazda CX-5 AWD Turbo promises to deliver the ultimate in performance, comfort, convenience, functionality and safety in the compact crossover class. Mazda will continue to make the current CX-5 AWD Sport available at Php 1,990,000 while the CX-5 FWD Sport will be priced at Php 1,890,000.
The CX-5 comes in Machine Gray, Soul Red Crystal, Snowflake White Pearl, Sonic Silver, Deep Crystal Blue and Jet Black. Two new colors, Zircon Sand Metallic and Polymetal Gray, will be exclusively available to the Mazda CX-5 AWD Turbo.