DRIVERS smitten with the new Mazda CX-7 sports utility crossover can place their order ahead of its September launch date thanks to a dedicated website.

The site is already live at www.cx-7order.co.uk so buyers can reserve their cars before the autumn.

Customers can choose from five exterior colours plus black or stone colour leather upholstery, while a range of options such as front and rear parking sensors, satellite navigation, a roof carrier and detachable tow-bar are also available.

The pre-order site indicates the anticipated delivery date and customers receive a confirmation email acknowledging their order.

Buyers then need to go to their nearest Mazda dealership, at PV Dobson, off the A590 at Levens, to pay a deposit.

At this point customers can also choose to arrange individually tailored part-exchange or finance packages.

Mazda has also launched a general information website for the CX-7 - www.newmazdacx-7.co.uk - which describes the car in details and lists the standard specification and pricing, and allows users to register their interest to receive further information.

The 258 horsepower, turbocharged, all-wheel drive CX-7 is priced from £23,960 and will be available in the UK as a single, highly-specified model. Standard equipment will include leather seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, automatic air conditioning, cruise control and a Bose premium audio system with a six-CD autochanger and nine speakers.

Top speed is a claimed 130mph for the 2.3-litre car, and the zero to 60mph sprint is achieved in under eight seconds.

On the practical front, the car boasts a spacious cabin plus a 455-litre load bay before the rear seats are folded down.