Mazda Minagi Concept is the New CX-5

Mazda today confirmed what many of us already suspected – that the Minagi concept shown at the 2011 Geneva Salon earlier this year will form the base for a production model that will be called the CX-5. In addition, the Japanese firm also announced that the compact crossover model will make its international debut in production guise at the forthcoming 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show to be held in Germany in September. The new CX-5 will sit below the larger CX-7 and CX-9 in Mazda’s crossover lineup, and will compete against the VW Tiguan, BMW X1, and Ford Kuga. It will be the first production vehicle to incorporate Mazda's new styling language called 'KODO - Soul of Motion' as well as the full range of the firm’s SKYACTIV technologies, including a whole host of new engines, transmissions, bodyshells and platforms, all designed to significantly improve fuel efficiency. The Japanese company hasn’t released any other details on the CX-5, but it did say that the compact crossover model will go on sale worldwide in early 2012.