Volkswagen's unrelenting onslaught of electric vehicle releases continues with the announcement of a new EV dune buggy concept. Like the I.D. Buzz, the new car, expected to be called I.D. Buggy, takes inspiration from a past icon in VW鈥檚 history: the Beetle-based beach buggies of the 鈥?0s and 鈥?0s. The concept is set to be revealed in full at the Geneva Motor Show in March, with only a couple of dark teaser images to whet our appetite until then. The nods to the original are clear though: chunky, off-road tyres sit within huge wheel arches that flare out from the sides of the doorless cabin. As with other I.D. Volkswagen logo, while the headlights take inspiration from the round spotlights of the original. Extra protection for the buggy and its occupants come in the form of a rear roll bar and a skid plate to shield the floor pan. That floorpan is a variation of the VW Group's MEB platform, and the concept has been produced, in part, to demonstrate its versatility. While the original buggies were rear-engined and rear-wheel drive, the concept鈥檚 use of electric motors would enable the possibility of a twin-motor setup for four wheel drive. As yet, however, no specs about the concept鈥檚 drive configuration, range or power output have been released.
One of the primary criticisms leveled against the Mazda CX-9 -- at least, when compared against other fullsize SUVs -- was just how far behind the curve its cabin design had fallen. This was mostly a function of age, as the harder plastics and more basic infotainment technologies employed by the CX-9 were well in keeping with a snapshot of the industry in the mid-2000s when it first appeared on the scene. All that has changed with the 2016 Mazda CX-9, which gains a passenger compartment that is every bit the equal (and in some cases, the better), of class leaders from Ford, Toyota, and Honda. In addition to the expected fabric seats and modestly-appointed interiors available with entry-level models, Mazda has finally embarked on a re-think of what the brand traditionally has offered in terms of materials quality, fit, and finish. In addition to the availability of two different Mazda Connect touchscreen infotainment systems, the CX-9 features genuine wood trim, Nappa leather, and elegantly-styled door panels, dashboards, and center consoles as part of Mazda's new design vocabulary.
The 2016 Mazda CX-9 can accommodate as many as seven passengers across three rows of seating, but in a refreshingly honest appraisal of the SUV's capabilities, its designers acknowledge that the rearmost quarters are best enjoyed by young children. The front buckets have undergone a scalloping at the back to reduce intrusion on the knees of riders, and the extended wheelbase has contributed to an overall improvement in comfort for those behind the first two positions. It's also worth noting that the Mazda CX-9 is remarkably quiet inside for a non-premium vehicle, the result of a concerted effort to improve sound deadening throughout the SUV. Mechanically, the most notable change made to the 2016 Mazda CX-9 is the shift from a naturally-aspirated V6 to a turbocharged 4-cylinder motor. It's a sign of the times when even large SUVs are slicing engine sizes in half and turning to turbos to best balance fuel efficiency and output. The 2.5-liter unit found in the CX-9 is unique for a number of reasons, not the least of which being its relatively high compression ratio and ability to produce maximum torque almost right off of the line.
Of the 310 lb-ft of twist offered by the 2.5-liter turbo, all of it is available below 2,000 rpm. Horsepower runs from 227 (87 octane gas) to 250 (91 octane), and Mazda has tuned the engine to maximize passing power while minimizing downshifts from its 6-speed automatic transmission. The 2016 Mazda CX-9 sees its fuel economy climb to 22 mpg in city driving and 28 mpg on the highway when ordered in front-wheel drive trim (all-wheel drive models deduct a single mile per gallon from each respective measure). Mazda is claiming best-in-class status for the hauler, with the closest similarly-sized SUV, the Honda Pilot, posting 20 mpg city and 27 mpg combined. Of note is Mazda's confidence that, unlike other turbocharged engines that tend to guzzle at an accelerated rate when called upon to hustle, the 2.5-liter turbo is more likely to match its EPA estimates in real-world driving. Mazda's never been here before -- at least not in North America -- but you wouldn't know it from the inside of the CX-9 Signature. The 2016 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring also happens to offer a comprehensive suite of advanced safety features.
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