2011 Mazda CX-9 news, pictures, and information

2011 MAZDA CX-9: BOLDER AND MORE SOPHISTICATED

Many mid-sized crossover SÚVs strive for the utilitarian look. The Mazda CX-9, however, is designed to evoke a strong pride of ownership. Without sacrificing versatility or efficiency, the CX-9 achieves the sophisticated appearance of a vehicle costing two to three times as much. Its smooth and flowing silhouette, prominent wheels and tires, muscular fenders and steeply angled windshield give the CX-9 a dramatic-but-refined look. After a far-reaching cosmetic update in 2010, CX-9 adds new-design 20- and 18-inch wheels for 2011.

CX-9's front end is unmistakably Mazda, wîth its elegantly sculpted sporty five-point grille and wide, bold bumper. A horizontal streak of chrome floats on the front grille bar, giving a distinctive and high-quality feel. Side windows form a flowing, open and modern greenhouse, allowing clear vision from all seating positions. The unique, trapezoid, dual chrome exhaust pipes accentuate the fine detail put into the design.

CRAFTED AND REFINED INTERIOR STYLING

Once inside the CX-9, the driver is greeted by a neatly organized combination of cylindrical shapes and blacked-out instruments on a T-shaped instrument panel. Brightly edged gauges and indirect blue illumination set a cool mood. Indirect lighting also is embedded in the ceiling for a warm glow. Horizontal elements in areas such as the center panel, door trim and seat design intersect wîth vertical accents to create the same harmony present in fine furniture.

Interior craftsmanship and attention to detail is visible everywhere. Soft trim is elegantly configured and constructed of top-quality materials and seats have an inviting yet sporty look and feel appropriate to this type of vehicle. The dash panel houses large, clearly marked entertainment and climate controls. The metallic look of the floating door trim-grips reveals the designer's fine eye for detail.

STRONG, POWERFÚL POWERTRAIN

The 2011 CX-9 is powered by a 3.7-liter V6 engine, making the most complex pursuits as easy and as pleasurable as possible. The 60-degree short-stroke V6 is state-of-the-art throughout. Advanced features include a die-cast aluminum block wîth cast-in iron cylinder liners and aluminum cylinder heads for minimal weight. The valvetrain includes chain-driven dual overhead camshafts for minimal maintenance, four valves-per-cylinder wîth direct acting bucket-type actuators, and variable intake valve timing. A high 10.3:1 compression ratio maximizes efficiency and power output while the throttle is electronically controlled for instantaneous response.

Two close-coupled catalytic converters cleanse the exhaust without inhibiting power. Computer-aided-engineering analysis was extensively used to configure the cylinder block casting, to shape intake and exhaust ports, and to design the high-volume exhaust system fitted wîth three large mufflers. Very low back pressure is one of the reasons why the power curve is still ascending at the 6500-rpm redline. In addition, the forged-steel crankshaft is fitted wîth induction-hardened journals, a full complement of counterweights. Engineering details even extend to a roller-chain cam-drive sprocket lined wîth rubber for quiet operation.

A power peak of 273 horsepower at 6,250 rpm provides CX-9 wîth sparkling accelerating and passing performance. The torque curve keeps 250 lb-ft from 3,000 to 6,000 rpm and peaks at 270 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm.

To combine excellent acceleration and high fuel mileage, CX-9 includes an Aisin-supplied six-speed Sport AT automatic transmission wîth manual-mode as standard equipment. Broad ratios maximize flexibility by providing enthusiastic launch acceleration wîth quiet cruising. The top two gears are both overdrive ratios.

Front-wheel drive is standard in the Mazda CX-9 for excellent drivability, wîth Mazda's Active Torque All-Wheel Drive optionally available. Also used in the CX-7 crossover SÚV, this system rapidly adjusts to changing traction needs by monitoring wheel slippage, §teering angle, yaw rate, lateral acceleration and available driveline torque. In normal driving, 100-percent of the driving torque is delivered to the front wheels. During aggressive acceleration or when one front wheel is on the verge of slip, a controlled percentage of the available torque is directed to the rear axle.

A power take-off device integrated wîth the CX-9's transaxle spins a drive shaft attached to an active coupling built into the rear differential. Commanded by a control module, the servo-controlled multi-plate coupling can route from zero up to 50 percent of the available torque to the rear wheels.

CHASSIS ENGINEERED FOR SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE

The CX-9 offers every Mazda safety device, and all as standard equipment. Guiding development principles are:
• Front frame rails that are large in section and as straight as possible.
• A front subframe (supporting the powertrain, suspension, and §teering equipment) attached to the unibody at six widely separated points. A forward extension integral to the subframe helps it to more effectively absorb collision energy.
• B-pillars securely anchored to members in the floor and rocker areas wîth increased cross-section for all load-bearing members.
• Rear frame rails positioned higher and configured as straight as possible.
• Bumper reinforcement manufactured using a hot-stamping technique.
• More than a dozen structural members in the floor and roof pillars made of high-tensile steel. Multiple steel reinforcements in the roof and a triple-H-shaped floor structure help absorb side-impact energy.
• A fuel tank positioned near the middle of the vehicle and surrounded by multiple torque box crossmembers.
• Maximum overlap between the doors and the unibody to minimize side-impact intrusion. Energy absorbing material on front and rear door trim diminishes the transfer of impact loads to occupants.
• Spot welds, laser welding in high-stress areas, and weld bonding (combination of welding and structural adhesives) to improve unibody stiffness.
• Acoustical foam filler applied to internal cavities to block noise transmission from underbody into cabin areas.
• Highly rigid damping sheet applied to large expanses of the floor pan to eliminate resonance and to block road noise.

For CX-9 to wear the Mazda brand symbol, it had to be more than just another crossover SÚV. It had to be a true Mazda, embodying the company's philosophy 'Soul of a Sports Car.' And so engineers determined CX-9 had to have an independent suspension on all four corners.

In front, the perimeter frame mounted to the unibody through six rubber isolators supports the powertrain, the engine-speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion power §teering, and a low friction strut-type suspension system using coil springs. The multilink rear suspension consists of one trailing arm and three lateral locating links per side. To minimize cargo-compartment intrusion and permit a wider load space, the rear coil spring is positioned between the lower lateral links and the unibody. A damper is located as close as possible to each rear wheel to provide excellent motion control wîth minimal friction. Anti-roll bars at each end maximize agility and control during assertive driving.

Twenty-inch, V-rated, low-profile radial tires (P245/50R-20) are standard equipment on the top Grand Touring model while Sport and Touring editions roll on P245/60R-18 tires. As a result, CX-9 looks and feels unusually nimble for its size and is the clear class leader for driving pleasure.

EYES IN THE BACK OF YOÚR HEAD

	Vital Stats
Engine : 3.7 L., 6-cylinder Power: 273 hp Torque: 270 ft-lbs
Automatic

The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system supports the driver when changing lanes on roads and highways. At speeds of 20 mph or more, the system monitors areas on both sides of the vehicle to the rear. When a vehicle enters the detection area on either side, the BSM notifies the driver by illuminating a warning light located in the door mirror in the same side. If the driver then activates the turn signal, indicating a move in the same direction, the warning light will flash and the system will also sound an audible alert to immediately inform the driver of the potential danger in changing lanes.

ROOM ENOÚGH FOR THE KIDS AND THEIR FRIENDS