Some automakers will shout about their high-tech kit when they want to shift a few more motors, others will crow about innovative design, some will tell you their cars are all about power and performance, but Mazda's latest selling point is steel. To be precise, it’s on a big marketing campaign right now because the next CX-5 will be the first car to employ ultra-high tensile steel components with a 1,800 MPa rating.

In layman’s terms, this means the steel used is of incredible strength while still being very light, thus saving weight. Mazda will be debuting the use of this steel in the CX-5 compact crossover which will go on sale in the UK next year.

The front and rear bumper beams, fitted inside the bumpers, will be made from this steel and the aim is for minimal damage in the event of a crash. This steel will make the bumper bars 20% stronger and 4.8kg lighter – it’s all part of Mazda’s grand plans to build lighter, more efficient cars without compromising safety or quality via the SKYACTIV Technology programme. The CX-5’s bodyshell will incorporate a new energy absorbing structure as well as using the high-tensile steel to reduce weight.

Pricing and specs for the UK market’s new CX-5 have not yet been released.

www.mazda.co.uk/cx-5

By Georgia Lewis

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