The new Mazda CX-5 is touring the country, offering customers the chance to see the car in the metal and also experience the compact SUV through a virtual reality (VR) test drive.

Visitors will be able to use VR goggles while sat inside the CX-5 and choose from a passenger’s or driver’s perspective as they take a virtual drive around Surrey’s Longcross test track.

Mazda UK’s marketing communications manager Kim Crawford said: “With virtual reality our aim is to create a sense of oneness with the car through an immersive experience.

(Mazda)

“You literally get a test drive experience on a track, whilst sat inside the all-new Mazda CX-5 without leaving the building.

“We hope this will bring prospective customers much closer to the vehicle itself, allowing them to appreciate the quality of both the interior and exterior of the car.”

The Mazda CX-5 is available from £23,695, and is offered with a choice of one petrol and two diesel engines.

(Mazda)

A 2.2-litre, 148bhp diesel engine will make up the majority of sales. This power plant is available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, as well as a choice of manual or automatic transmissions.

Having visited Birmingham over the weekend, the CX-5 tour will now head to the Trafford Centre in Manchester on August 12 to 13, followed by Bluewater in Kent on August 19 and 20, and Braehead in Glasgow on September 2 to 3.