Mazda is bringing its new compact SUV to some of Britain’s most popular retail attractions this summer, offering shoppers the chance to see the car in the metal, and experience an immersive virtual reality test drive.
Using VR goggles whilst seated in the car, visitors to the Mazda stand can choose from either a driver’s or passenger’s perspective as they enjoy a thrilling virtual drive around the famous Longcross test track in Surrey. Available on a first come first served basis and free to all, Mazda’s simulated drive takes to the challenging tarmac of the test rack used by many of the UK’s car manufacturers and magazines for vehicle testing.
Shoppers visiting the Mazda stand can also request an interactive digital brochure sent instantaneously via email or SMS. Commenting on the all-new CX-5 shopping centre tour, Mazda UK Marketing Communications Manager, Kim Crawford said “with virtual reality our aim is to create a sense of oneness with the car through an immersive experience. You literally get a test drive experience on a track, whilst sat inside the all-new Mazda CX-5 without leaving the building. We hope this will bring prospective customers much closer to the vehicle itself, allowing them to appreciate the quality of both the interior and exterior of the car.”
Delivering new levels of style, refinement and driving pleasure, the all-new Mazda CX-5 provides unmistakably premium levels of comfort and equipment, while at the same time improving on the class-leading handling precision and driver involvement of the outgoing car. Available in two highly-specified trim levels, the ten model UK range starts at just £23,695. Both Mazda’s SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual and SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic transmissions feature in the range, as does the latest generation of Mazda’s intelligent i-ACTIV all-wheel drive (AWD) system.
Powered by a familiar range of SKYACTIV engines, the 2.0-litre 165ps SKYACTIV-G petrol engine is available in SE-L Nav and Sport Nav trim and is offered exclusively with front-wheel drive and Mazda’s six-speed SKYACTIV-MT manual gearbox. Making up the bulk of the range, the popular 2.2-litre 150ps SKYACTIV-D diesel is available with front-wheel drive and i-ACTIV AWD and comes with a choice of SKYACTIV-MT or SKYACTIV-Drive gearbox.
Sitting at the top of the range, the flagship 2.2-litre 175ps SKYACTIV-D comes exclusively in Sport Nav trim and is equipped with Mazda’s i-ACTIV AWD, and like the lower output diesel, it can be matched to either automatic or manual transmission.
Other highlights include two new optional paint colours: Soul Red Crystal Metallic and Machine Grey Metallic. Both colours use Mazda’s unique three-layer TAKUMINURI painting technology, and compared to previous CX-5’s Soul Red Metallic paint, Soul Red Crystal increases brightness by approximately 20 per cent and depth by 50 per cent.
