What Is It?
Mazda MX-Crossport Concept
What's Special About It?
Although the economical Tribute has its place, there's always room for more crossover SUVs in a manufacturer's lineup. Mazda's next utility vehicle for the North American market is likely to be larger and more upscale. And, if the MX-Crossport is any indication, it won't look much like a truck at all.
The Crossport invites you to imagine what would happen if the RX-8 became an SUV. Before you get excited about the possibility of a rotary-powered sport-ute, though, keep in mind that this is only a design study. Mazda made no mention of shared platforms, engine specs or suspension tuning.
But the common styling cues are unmistakable — the tightly pulled curves of the jawline, the pinched headlights, the muscular wheel flares. The beltline is stylishly high, swinging upward dramatically toward the rear. At the same time, the roof line tapers, squeezing the side glass. Around back, the dual-exhaust outlets are integrated neatly into the lower fascia. A retractable tow hitch hides within the bumper housing so as not to be an eyesore.
Inside, it's a concept car fantasy land. The almost-all-glass roof is nothing new to the auto show circuit, but the idea that you can adjust it from clear to translucent is a novel one. There are bucket seats for four, and each one connects to the floor via a single center post. Each seat slides and adjusts fore and aft along a rail system mounted in the floor.
Any technogeek will thrill to the blandly named Three Panel Display in the Crossport. The first panel acts as a touchscreen that operates various controls, while the second panel provides information on everything from climate controls to cars in your blind spot. Of course, you can check your e-mail here as well — not a terribly vital feature in the age of text messaging. The third panel lets the front passenger in on everything the driver is doing, providing him with a virtual view from the driver seat. Your passenger can even call up a real-time feed from the instrument cluster. Should boredom strike, he can also use his screen to watch a DVD.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Of course there's no way to translate an RX-8 into a crossover SUV without packing on a few pounds. Still, the Crossport's sheet metal is sleek for an SUV, even though it doesn't make a clean break from the look of popular models like the Lexus RX 330 and Infiniti FX. If Mazda does its usual magic with the mechanicals, this body should be able to make the initial sales pitch. — Erin Riches
Mazda MX-Crossport Concept
What's Special About It?
Although the economical Tribute has its place, there's always room for more crossover SUVs in a manufacturer's lineup. Mazda's next utility vehicle for the North American market is likely to be larger and more upscale. And, if the MX-Crossport is any indication, it won't look much like a truck at all.
The Crossport invites you to imagine what would happen if the RX-8 became an SUV. Before you get excited about the possibility of a rotary-powered sport-ute, though, keep in mind that this is only a design study. Mazda made no mention of shared platforms, engine specs or suspension tuning.
But the common styling cues are unmistakable — the tightly pulled curves of the jawline, the pinched headlights, the muscular wheel flares. The beltline is stylishly high, swinging upward dramatically toward the rear. At the same time, the roof line tapers, squeezing the side glass. Around back, the dual-exhaust outlets are integrated neatly into the lower fascia. A retractable tow hitch hides within the bumper housing so as not to be an eyesore.
Inside, it's a concept car fantasy land. The almost-all-glass roof is nothing new to the auto show circuit, but the idea that you can adjust it from clear to translucent is a novel one. There are bucket seats for four, and each one connects to the floor via a single center post. Each seat slides and adjusts fore and aft along a rail system mounted in the floor.
Any technogeek will thrill to the blandly named Three Panel Display in the Crossport. The first panel acts as a touchscreen that operates various controls, while the second panel provides information on everything from climate controls to cars in your blind spot. Of course, you can check your e-mail here as well — not a terribly vital feature in the age of text messaging. The third panel lets the front passenger in on everything the driver is doing, providing him with a virtual view from the driver seat. Your passenger can even call up a real-time feed from the instrument cluster. Should boredom strike, he can also use his screen to watch a DVD.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Of course there's no way to translate an RX-8 into a crossover SUV without packing on a few pounds. Still, the Crossport's sheet metal is sleek for an SUV, even though it doesn't make a clean break from the look of popular models like the Lexus RX 330 and Infiniti FX. If Mazda does its usual magic with the mechanicals, this body should be able to make the initial sales pitch. — Erin Riches
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