Mazda’s Trio of CX-5 Concepts: The Fun, the Fearsome, and the Functional
CX-5 180
Hey, bud, let’s party. In the three decades since Jeff Spicoli so concisely summarized the attitude of a then-small-sect of SoCal thrill junkies in 1982’s Fast Times at Ridgemont High, extreme sports have become mainstream. And as the collective passion for adventure remains at an all-time high, Spicoli’s laid-back attitude has been replaced by a horde of hurried enthusiasts intent on riding the the waves and hitting the slopes in the same 24-hour period. Enter Mazda’s CX-5 180, a largely visual interpretation aimed directly at celebrating the unique climate and terrain of Southern California.
Sporting a pair of Burton Cheetah snowboards and a Rusty surfboard (both detailed to match the CX-5’s graphics) lashed to the roof rack, the CX-5 is equipped for shredding terrain both high and low. A stylistic interpretation of legendary SoCal ski destination Big Bear Lake’s summit resides on the driver’s side, while the depth details for surf spot Point Dume adorn the passenger side—both with GPS coordinates, no less. The varying hues of Midnight, Denim, Tidal Blue, and Bay Blue signify depth and altitude, while the string of dashes and dots in contrasting Luminous Red indicates roads. Temperature and snow-accumulation and swell-rise details can be found on the leading edge of each of the front doors. Matte red replaces chrome on the vehicle’s five-point grille, extending into the headlamps because, hey, why not?
Running gear is essentially stock; power from Mazda’s all-wheel-drive system is sent to a set of custom-built 20-inch darkened-chrome aluminum wheels wearing Goodyear Eagle F1 tires. Likewise, interior mods are mostly cosmetic: aqua-hued leather is fitted to the front and rear seats, the steering wheel, the door panels, the armrests, and the brake boot. Numerous additional cosmetic touches include red and white contrasting stitching and a custom-painted decoration panel in the topography theme of the exterior.
CX-5 Dempsey
So what if it’s just a concept? We’ve been predicting the arrival of a diesel-powered CX-5 for a year or so, and we’ll take it, even with the name Dempsey on the bumper—regardless of whether the reference is to McDreamy himself, Jack “the Manassas Mauler,” or Clint. But before you get too excited, remember this is just a concept, and as such is equipped with a 2.2-liter four-cylinder European-spec diesel—putting out 173 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque—and a six-speed manual. After our first drive in the new Mazda 6 equipped with essentially the same powertrain, we can tell you the combo likely would do wonders for the CX-5’s fun factor while inching its already-impressive mileage a few notches higher. But for now, back to the concept.
Dempsey apparently is just as crazy about cycling as he is about racing, so it’s only appropriate that a CX-5 bearing his name come equipped with a Specialized road bike strapped to the back. A Thule cargo box is mounted to the roof rack for all the related gear and soiled socks. So impressed with the bicycle’s colors of Carbon Satin and Red Keyline were Mazda’s designers, that they finished the CX-5 Dempsey in similar colors: Glossy Anatomy Gray, Brilliant Black, matte Black Mica, and Luminous Red. CX-5 decals emblazon expansive surfaces such as the doors, the hood, and the cargo box.
Courtesy of Car and Driver

