HUDSON ITALIA

By FRANK LEE

By FRANK LEE

Mazda Australia has confrmed that the new CX-90 will arrive locally later in 2023, with the 3.3-litre turbo-petrol engine to be joined by the same turbo-diesel and PHEV powertrains as seen in the CX-60.

Pricing and exact specifcations are yet to be revealed, but the CX-90 is expected to start around $70,000 and reach well into the $80,000 bracket. Indeed, a CX-90 PHEV could well breach the $100,000 barrier to become the most expensive model ever sold in Australia by Mazda.

The CX-90 is bigger in every dimension than its predecessor, the CX-9, and is built on the same Large Product Group platform as the CX-60. It has a classic long-nose, cab-rearward stance like European rivals such as the Audi Q7 and BMW X7, and rides on 21-inch wheels.

Inside, the CX-90 features Nappa leather, maple wood and a fabric dash created using a traditional Japanese weaving technique called Kakenui. It has a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and can be had in both six- and seven-seat confgurations. Those in the last row will be better accommodated than usual, with USB-C charging ports, airconditioning vents, and lighting.

There is also decent cargo space with the rearmost seats in place and they fold fat to create a vast boot. The CX-90 will beneft from every available active safety feature, including autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear crosstraffc alert, adaptive cruise control and park assist. It also features Mazda’s Kinematic Posture Control, a system frst introduced on the MX-5 that gently brakes the inside rear wheel during turns to increase stability.

The CX-90 is the latest in a long line of big new models from Mazda, following hot on the heels of the CX-30, CX-40 and CX-60. It continues the brand’s march upmarket and will be the most powerful production car ever built by Mazda when it arrives in Australia later in 2023. The CX-90 will be powered by an inline 3.3-litre turbopetrol engine producing 254kW and 500Nm, while a 187kW/550Nm turbo-diesel engine of the same capacity is expected too also be available.

A plug-in hybrid CX-90 has also been confrmed for the US – likely the same 241kW/500Nm 2.5-litre petrol-electric powertrain we’ll see in the CX-60.

It’s clear that Mazda has designed the new CX-90 with luxury in mind, and the company has a real opportunity to make a statement in the large SUV segment. With a comprehensive suite of features and the latest in active safety technology, the CX90 looks set to be a real contender when it arrives in Australia later in 2023.

In the early 1950s, American car manufacturers turned to Italian coachbuilders for some fresh design ideas to help boost their sales. In 1954, Chrysler sought the Jet had some innovative features such as an aluminium body, wraparound windscreen and body-hugging bucket seats. assistance from Ghia to create the GS 1 Ghia Coupe, and Hudson’s chief stylist Frank Spring worked with Carrozzeria Touring to design the Italia. It is believed that the increasing demand for European car concepts among US soldiers after World War II was the inspiration behind this. Hudson attempted to revive its sales with the introduction of the Hudson Jet, a small car designed to rival the Nash Rambler. Unfortunately, its boxy design and outdated policies meant it sold poorly. Despite this,

To appease Spring, Hudson allowed him to work with Touring Body Works to create a radical sports car concept. The Italia prototype was ready by the end of 1953 and received a positive response, leading to the production of 25 cars. The Italia was distinct from the Jet, with a lower profle and features such as scooped front mudguards to cool the brakes, an inverted ‘V’ covering the grille and quarter scoops for the rear brakes. However, the cars’ high selling price and Hudson’s desire to remain independent contributed to the Italia’s demise and the subsequent merger between Hudson and Nash in May 1954.

Email

Quick Crossword

ACROSS

1 Melodious (7)

5 From Stockholm, say (7)

9 Herald (9)

10 Donated (5)

11 Amazement (6)

12 Oral doctors (8)

14 Creations (6)

15 Scottish island (4)

19 Idly lounge (4)

20 – scholar (6)

24 Clouded eye (8)

25 Immune system organ (6)

27 Get to (5)

28 Incapable of being seen (9)

29 Territory ruled by an Islamic monarch (7)

30 Settle (7)

DOWN

1 Native American hairstyle (6)

2 Thread (6)

3 Yardsticks (8)

4 Records (4)

5 Image taken of an electronic display (10)

Sudoku

No. 133 No. 133

1 Which footballer famously scored o an unpenalised handling foul that became known as the ‘Hand of God’ in the 1986 World Cup quarter nal?

2 The Rio de la Plata forms the border between which two South American countries?

3 Which revolutionary gure was known as El Libertador?

4 Which country gifted the Statue of Liberty to the US?

5 In what style is the statue?

6 In which region of Italy is the city of Naples?

7 In which country are the endangered eastern lowland gorilla (pictured) found?

8 Which African capital city is found on the opposite shore of the Congo River from Kinshasa?

9 What is the primary ingredient of the Iranian dish pilaf?

10 Who directed the 2012 lm Argo?

1 Ceremony (4)

5 Analogous (4)

6 Want (4)

7

DOWN

1 Declaim bombastically (4)

2 Swedish furniture retailer (4)

3 Row (4)

4 Purposes (4)

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included, and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”.

Secret