Mazda CX-5, which has undergone major improvements in November 2021. It's amazing how enthusiastic they are about this major improvement, as it's a core model that accounts for about one-third of the global market!
Above all, the concept of "Sky Active Vehicle Architecture" has been applied, and in addition to the body and suspension, the function of the seat has also evolved, and in addition to driving performance, comfort has also been improved.
Therefore, this time, we used a measuring instrument to compare the effects of this major improvement on the driver while comparing the model before and after the improvement.
In addition to the sensory evaluation so far, I would like to quantify and visualize to verify whether Mazda's Jinba-ittai driving has really been realized.
Sentence, photo / Fumihiro Hagiwara, coverage cooperation / Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
[Image Gallery] Photographs showing the differences between the old and new Mazda CX-5 models (24 photos) Image galleryThis time, The measuring instrument used was the “Fatigue Stress Meter MF100” sold by Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. This measuring instrument is a hybrid that uses two methods, electrical and optical, to measure heart rate and pulse fluctuation.
Bluetooth is built into this measuring instrument. Transfer to a smartphone or tablet that has a dedicated app downloaded. This is sent to the server of Fatigue Science Laboratory Co., Ltd., the developer of the app, and by analyzing the function of the autonomic nervous system, the person's degree of fatigue is quantified.
For example, move your hands and feet when running. It's your brain that tells you to do it, but the result of doing it is your heart rate going up, you sweating, and you're breathing heavily. The autonomic nervous system controls this. When the autonomic nerves are fully activated, the brain eventually gets tired and signals "I'm tired." This is what we call “fatigue”.
The vertical axis of the table shows the degree of fatigue, expressed as a deviation value of 42 or more is the allowable range, and below that is the state of being tired. And the horizontal axis shows the balance of stress, and if you go to the left of 2.0, you are in a relaxed state. If you go to the right, you are in a stressed state.
The blue part in the upper left of the table is the state where idling stop is possible and eco-driving is possible in terms of a car. The upper right is running with the accelerator fully open. In the lower right, the state of stepping on the accelerator continues, and it is quite tired. And the most pinch is the bottom left, which is completely out of gas. I am sleepy and sluggish and I can't help it.
Before going to bed, it's normal to have a good night's sleep, so you can refresh yourself and enter the healthy area in the upper left.
In addition, the function of the autonomic nervous system declines with age. If you actually compare it, it's only about half of those in their 20s and 40s. When I was young, I was able to work all night, but if I stayed up all night in my 40s and 50s, it would be useless the next day. It is natural that it is due to the decline of the autonomic nervous system.
Murata Manufacturing's "Fatigue Stress Meter MF100" allows you to enter your age and other information when entering data, and measure with a reference value that matches the user's age.
Here is a summary of the changes to the Mazda CX-5, which has been greatly improved this time. On the exterior, the design of the front face and front grille has been changed in order to create a design that fuses the strength of an SUV with urban elegance. In addition, the front and rear lamps have also changed the lamp outline and lamp unit design.
In terms of driving performance, the concept of the vehicle layer structure technology "Sky Active Vehicle Architecture" is incorporated, aiming for maneuverability that reduces fatigue even when driving for a long time, while improving comfort and quietness. . In addition, it adopts "Mi-DRIVE", which allows you to switch the driving mode arbitrarily with a single switch according to the driving scene. From on-road to off-road, it further enhances Mazda's sense of unity between riders and horses.
A special focus was placed on the damping control structure incorporated into the body frame to improve body rigidity, as well as the use of structural adhesives that favorably affect maneuverability while suppressing vibration. . Furthermore, the suspension springs and dampers have been revised. Furthermore, the seat was developed to increase the stability of the movement of the occupant's head. What effect do these have on drivers?
Mazda CX-5 before and after improvement was used for testing. The grade is XD exclusive mode equipped with 2.2L in-line 4-cylinder diesel turbo engine + 6-speed AT equipped with 19-inch wheels for both models.
The price of the vehicle itself before the improvement was 3,943,500 yen. The price of the vehicle body after the improvement is 3,965,500 yen, which is an increase of 22,000 yen, but is there value beyond this amount?
Test runs were conducted mainly on highways from Kanagawa to Saitama. The impression of driving was that the improved model had less wasted movement, and the seat was extremely comfortable, and there was no pain in the lower back.
This driver's feeling is more clearly visible on the fatigue stress meter. Before getting on the pre-improvement model in the morning, I finally woke up. The graph shows that driving from a sleepy start state made me feel more nervous and refreshed.
After an hour and a half break for lunch, it was time to drive the improved model. Then, this time, the fatigue is gone, and the engine is fully open. Both models of the Mazda CX-5 are in a very positive state to drive, but the improved version is more fun to drive and the driver is full of motivation.
The CX-5 is a car that is fun to drive, even with the pre-improvement model. It can be seen that the comfort is also improved.
If there is such a clear difference, the 22,000 yen increase can be said to be a bonus price.
[Image gallery] Introducing the difference between the old and new models of Mazda CX-5 with photos (24 photos) image gallery