Mazda Previews All-New Seven-Seater CX-8 For Japan

Mazda is set to introduce a new member to its CX family, the Japan-only CX-8. Positioned as a flagship model for the Japanese market, the diesel powered-only CX-8 will serve as a flagship model for Mazda in Japan.

For now, Mazda will only show a side view of the CX-8. The model will only go on sale in Japan by the end of this year.

Isn’t the CX-9 Mazda’s flagship model you ask? Well, the CX-9 is not sold in Japan. The full-size seven-seater SUV is aimed primarily at the North American market, with smaller markets like Australia (and Malaysia too) making up the fringes of the CX-9’s market.

The CX-8 will be offered with two seating configurations – either as a six- or a seven-seater.

Measuring 4,900 mm long, 1,840 mm wide and 1,730 mm tall, the CX-8 is nearly as tall as the CX-9 (which is also a seven-seater), but is 196 mm shorter and 96 mm narrower. Not surprisingly, both cars’ wheelbase are identical, at 2,930 mm long, suggesting that they are developed from the same underpinning.

The CX-8 is powered exclusively by a 2.2-litre SkyActiv-D clean diesel engine paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission. For now, it is unclear if the model will come with all-wheel drive.