The fact that the all-new CX-5 crossover won't even become production ready until 2013 hasn't stopped Mazda from giving consumers a sneak peek. And the images and specs popping up all over the web are really building anticipation.

Placed between MAZDA3  and MAZDA CX-7, the five-seat CX-5 crossover will be powered by Mazda's Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter, inline 4-cylinder direct-injection gasoline engine standard, expected to hit 162 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 155 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm and promises best-in-class fuel economy at 28 mpg city and 38 mpg highway. There may be a diesel variant in the works for the North American market, too.

"The biggest outflow from the C-car segment (Mazda 3) is into the small crossover segment," said Jim O'Sullivan, President of Mazda North America. "The CX-7 is for some people a little bit too big of a stretch. The CX-5 will not be a niche player." O'Sullivan expects 2013's Mazda CX-5 to sell over 58,000 in the U.S. alone, becoming the brand's No. 2 seller.¹

Stay tuned for the latest on all Mazda products and concepts.

Source: ¹