Image: Mazda Motor of America
Remember the Minagi concept crossover that Mazda showed us at this year’s Geneva Auto Show? The one that drew rave reviews from journalists and the general public? Mazda has confirmed that the replacement for their aging Tribute SUV will indeed be based on the Minagi concept, and in keeping with current naming conventions it will be called the CX-5. The Kodo-design-themed crossover will make its North American debut at this week’s New York Auto Show, while the first showing of the near-production CX-5 is scheduled for September’s Frankfurt Auto Show.
Image: Mazda Motor of America
The CX-5 is expected to join Mazda’s product line sometime in 2012, and will be the first in a series of new or revised products blending Mazda’s “SkyActiv” fuel saving technology with their Kodo design language. Expect more releases from Mazda, relating to both the “SkyActiv” suite of technologies and the Kodo design theme in current months. The manufacturer has been strangely quiet in recent months, but I have a feeling that’s about to change.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
