Mazda CX-5 Revealed, Official Production Specs: 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show [video]

At this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Mazda has revealed the production version of its new CX-5 compact crossover. Slated to go on sale in European and North America next year, it represents a new direction, in terms of styling and also engineering for the Hiroshima, Japan based automaker.

Boxier than Mazda’s current line of crossover utilities, the CX-5 features a rather prominent grille, one that faintly recalls the old 808 and RX-3 rotary sedan and coupe from the mid-1970s. Mazda dubs the CX-5’s design language as ‘KODO’ or ‘Soul in Motion,’ said to be inspired by the rapid pace and agility of animals like the Cheetah.

The CX-5 is the first Mazda to feature the company’s new generation ‘SKYACTIV’ engines, a 2.0-liter gas unit rated at 165 metric horsepower (PS) and (in Europe at least) a 2.2-liter diesel engines that sports a two-stage turbocharger, enabling 150 and 175 PS outputs. Rated at 280 lb-ft for the lower output version and 310 lb-ft for the more potent one, both engines can be teamed with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Front or all-wheel drive configurations are also available.

With the standard manual gearbox and front drive, Mazda says target fuel consumption for the CX-5; is 47.2 miles per gallon with the gas motor; some 68.1 mpg for the diesel, while both engines deliver some of the lowest emissions outputs in their class (139 g/km/119 g/km); in fact the diesel motor meets tough Euro 6 smog requirements without the need for direct exhaust injection. (Of note, these fuel economy numbers are for Europe). Stop/Start technology is also employed on Euro spec models to further aid emissions and fuel economy reduction.

With fairly generous passenger and cargo space, plus split folding second row seating with what Mazda describes as easy to use ‘Karakuri,’ technology; the CX-5 is also said to blend practicality with fun to drive characteristics, likely making it one of the sportier SUV offerings in the compact segment.

A North American version is planned for introduction sometime next year as a 2013 model, likely priced around the $20,000 mark, though as previous information has stated, don’t expect either the diesel or stop/start technology to make their way to our shores as soon.

Hit the jump to see our exclusive video of the 2012 Mazda CX-5