Sometimes we don't pay attention to the engineering skills of people who make paint for cars, writes Brian Byrne.
But carmakers do, and Mazda in particular pays a lot of attention to what has become its signature colour, officially Soul Red Premium Metallic.
So, if it is as hugely popular to Mazda buyers as it has become, you don't mess with it, right?
Not quite.
When the company launched its new generation CX-5, the signature colour once again did a lot for the car. But just like the car itself, it had been moved upwards. The evolution included raising the brightness level by 20pc over before, and its perceived depth by 50pc. Now called Soul Red Crystal, it also has greater levels of transparency. Technical stuff that few of us, including me, know anything about.
Pretty big changes, yet the paint remains unmistakably what we all understand to be 'Mazda red' and perennially the most popular colour choice for the brand's vehicles.
So too with the CX-5 itself. It is completely new, in dimensions, engineering, quality levels and interior trim and fittings design. Yet it can't be mistaken for anything else than one of its maker's most important cars.
Along with the Mazda6 saloon and estate, the CX-5 has become a signature model for Mazda, now responsible for a quarter of the carmaker's annual sales.
Main visual changes for this new one are a grille design with more presence, sleeker lights, and an overall more sophisticated line that ups the 'refined toughness' perception.
The seats front and rear are more comfortable. There are also new options in interior colour schemes, especially a pure white leather which I was quite taken with.
Overall, the space exudes a refinement that pitches the new CX-5 deliberately against any of the established premium competition, a place where Mazda, in fairness, has always seen itself.
It was on the road that I found the most important changes. The cabin is noticeably quieter, especially in terms of road and wind noise. With a stronger body, driving the new car on twisty roads is saloon-like rather than SUV, with a very direct response to steering and braking. It's all designed to be fun, and it is fun. And with AWD as part of the package, I felt rightly confident in the car's roadholding ability.
The review car had the 175hp option of the 2.2 diesel, which provided me with plenty of acceleration response. Whatever the NVH engineers have done, even pushing hard is a quiet and refined experience. Though my personal preference would still be petrol, this is a very civilised motor. Especially with the 6-speed automatic it was conjoined with.
So, the colour looks right, the car is still without any doubt a CX-5, I'm betting that the car will continue to become even more important within the brand's offerings.
Admittedly I had the top-end version, reflected in the price. But I'd be very pleased indeed to own the basic one.
PRICE: From €28,995; Review car €41,695. WHAT I LIKED: The style and underpinning substance. RATING: 5/5.
