Mazda will showcase its new CX-9 seven-seater crossover sport-utility vehicle (SUV) at the New York International Auto Show on April 12.

The CX-9 is the CX-7’s larger sibling which features a new MZI 3.5L V6 engine driven through a standard six-speed automatic transmission. Final drive is through either front or all-wheel drive.

The Mazda CX-9 will be produced at the Ujina Number 1 Plant located near Mazda’s headquarters in Hiroshima, Japan and is expected in North American showrooms in early 2007. There are no current plans to launch the model in the UK.