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Geneva '08 Preview: Mazda2 three-door confirmed
Click image to enlarge

Add another ride to the list of cars we'd love to have, but can't. Mazda has confirmed that it will unveil the 3-door Mazda2 at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Dimensionally equal to the 5-door and offering the same selection of powertrains, the sporty Mazda2 3-door hatchback definitely takes the win over its sibling in the looks department and is sure to garner a following in Europe. More photos and info are likely to surface as we get closer to Geneva, but to tide us over, Mazda has released the rear three-quarter shot you see here.

(Via Autoblog.)

Mazda Furai Concept

Mazda released a few photos of the Furai Concept. The Mazda Furai has a three-rotor Mazda 20B rotary engine, which can produces around 450 horsepower. The engines runs on E100 ethanol and the word ‘Furai’ can be translated as ‘sound of wind’.

The flowing shape of the Furai was co-designed by Mazda and Swift Engineering at Mazda’s design studio in Southern California.

(Via iTech News Net.)

Tokyo Auto Salon '08: Mazdaspeed Demio Concept
click above for more images of the Mazdaspeed Demio Concept

Here's another one that we're very curious to read more about when Mazda gets around to issuing its sweeping Tokyo Auto Salon release. The car shown, of course, is the Demio, a.k.a. Mazda2, a.k.a one of the cool non-US market cars we'd love to see in our local showrooms. In this case, it's a fully-dressed Mazdaspeed Demio concept. In addition to the full aero package (new bumpers, spoilers, skirts, inserts, etc.), it boasts Mazdaspeed wheels, brakes, and likely some suspension upgrades. Whether there are any changes under the hood is not currently known, but it'd be a shame to look that fast with no guts to back it up. Inside, two-tone racing seats and various dress-up bits bring the Demio's cabin upmarket. We'd rather see a manual transmission instead of the show car's automatic, but if Mazda does decide to go all the way and produce a Mazdaspeed2/Demio somewhere down the line, were sure that a manual cog-swapper would be part of the mix. At the very least, we now have a very good idea of what such a car would probably look like.

(Via Autoblog.)

Rumormill: 2012 Mazda RX-9, real or fake?
click above for more images of this 2012 Mazda RX-9 concept

The only car brochure we ever held on to was for a 1993 Mazda RX-7. It was the baddest car of the time -- the 300Z was four years old, the 911 had gone soft, Ferrari had that hideous 348, the C4 Corvette never really did it for us, and the lunar lander Supra hadn't landed yet. The low, tiny twin-turbo monster was it as far as we were concerned.

Which is why we are always happy to read about the next coming of the RX-7. Just Put has renderings of an RX-9 concept that it says would have a Wankel powerplant of somewhere around 1.8 liters, and be more oil and fuel efficient than the current generation. Power would make it to an unidentified number of wheels via a dual-clutch 6-speed transmission and limited-slip diff.

We have no idea from where these two renderings have come. They could be official images that were leaked. Their slightly low resolution supports that theory, as often leaked images are small and enlarged beyond their resolution later. Or it could be a nicely done photochop by a fanboy. Either way, we think it lacks aggression and the rear looks highly derivative. The front end's nicely complex features doesn't seem to match the simple buttocks, another reason why it might not be the real deal. But hey, first let's get verification that an RX-something-fast really is on the way, and we can sort out the styling later.

(Via Autoblog.)

This version of Mazda’s latest model has a dynamic and elegant form that was designed to capture new customers in the rapidly growing Chinese B-car segment. The all-new Mazda2 sedan is produced by Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. at its Nanjing plant, and will go on sale in the first half of 2008 through the Changan Mazda Motor Sales Company’s network.

Noriaki Yamada, President and COO of Mazda Motor (China) Co., Ltd. said, “By introducing the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback to the B-car segment in China, we will have completed our product launches in the B, C and CD segments, which represent the three major Chinese vehicle classes. The new models will greatly strengthen Mazda’s product lineup in China.”

Mazda’s Senior Managing Executive Officer, Kiyoshi Ozaki, spoke about Mazda’s global growth and China business at the press conference. “In fiscal year 2007, we expect to achieve our seventh consecutive year of profit growth and fourth straight year of record profit. Going forward, we will aspire to maintain our current growth by raising our brand value and enhancing our business efficiencies under our new mid-term Mazda Advancement Plan and our long-term vision for technology development, Sustainable Zoom-Zoom. Achieving our mid-term target for China of ‘300,000 units of production and sales in 2010’ will be a key factor in our plans,” he said.

This year, Mazda completed the consolidation of its production, sales and product foundations, which it has been building in order to achieve its mid-term objectives.

President and CEO of Mazda Motor (China) Co., Ltd., Satoshi Tachikake: “We have set up a production structure that comprises three facilities: the Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Nanjing plant, which was completed in September and features Mazda’s latest production and machining technologies, the Changan Ford Mazda Automobile plant in Chongqing, and FAW Car Company in Changchun.”

Mazda is also updating its sales network in order to achieve its mid-term target. In addition to the existing FAW Mazda Motor Sales Co., Ltd. (FMSC), Changan Mazda Motor Sales Co., Ltd. (CMSC) has been newly established, and sales will commence through the two channels from January 2008.

Noriaki Yamada, who is in charge of China sales, added, “The newly established Mazda Motor (China) Beijing Office will function as the representative of Mazda Motor Corporation. It will establish a reliable sales network by developing a unified brand strategy for the two sales channels and policies that will always benefit the customer. Mazda’s core products will be progressively introduced through the two sales channels to strengthen our product lineup. We intend to continue expanding our sales network, from the current 104 dealerships to a total of 160 for both channels by January 2008, and establish over 300 dealers by 2010.”

At the 2007 Guangzhou Motor Show, Mazda will promote the Zoom-Zoom brand promise by displaying twelve vehicles from five model lines, which represent Mazda’s core products that are scheduled for launch.

The display will include the Mazda5 and Mazda3 5-door hatchback, which are due to be introduced through FMSC. The Mazda5 is a stylish global minivan that will go on sale in China from December 2007. The Mazda3 5-door hatchback is one of Mazda’s core models and supports global sales mainly in Europe, Japan and Asia. It is due to commence sales in China during the first half of 2008.

The all-new Mazda2 five-door hatchback and sedan models that will be launched through the new CMSC channel will also be showcased. The all-new Mazda2 five-door hatchback is the first of Mazda’s evolved Zoom-Zoom new generation products. It has received excellent reviews, including the prestigious 2008 RJC Car of the Year award in Japan, since its global rollout commenced this summer. Production began at Changan Ford Mazda Automobile’s Nanjing plant at the end of October, with sales to follow in January 2008.

Officially titled The 5th China (Guangzhou) International Automobile Exhibition, the press day is November 19, and public days are November 20 - 26.

From lump of clay to life-size model

Last September Mazda started their search for the 2018 Mazda3 via a Facebook competition called the Mazda Design Challenge. Anyone could enter by submitting a 150-word description of their vision, a sketch was optional.

Mallory 'Car Girl' McMorrow, Industrial Design major at Notre Dame, won by a landslide and Mazda designer Jacques Flynn helped produce an early design sketch, “Jacques took everything I said and sketched, and put my thoughts and feelings on paper,” said McMorrow. In her own words 'I want a car with the body and soul of a sports car, but a car that knows that sometimes I want to bring my friends, my things, or my dog.'

Best part of the competition will be that Mazda designers will make a life-size model of the 2018 Mazda3 live at the LA International Auto Show!

“Now the hard part comes – to see if we can actually build a full concept car on the show stand in ten days and in full-view of show goers.” said Franz von Holzhausen, director of design at Mazda. The final unveiling will take place at 3 PM Nov 24.

It’s neither a commuter vehicle nor boring sedan. It is also not an undersized sports coupe or awkward, disproportionate hatchback. At the moment, the 2018 MAZDA3 is nothing more than a lump of clay on stage at the Mazda booth at the 2007 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show – and the vision of Mallory McMorrow of South Bend, Ind., the winner of the Mazda Design Challenge. By the time the auto show comes to a close, an exciting, life-size model will be unveiled for all eyes to see – and a talented woman will be one step closer to fulfilling her automotive design career dream.

A landslide victory, McMorrow’s entry was voted number one by Facebook members, as part of the first-ever program between Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) and the social networking site. To enter, contestants submitted a 150-word description of their vision of the 2018 MAZDA3 and an optional sketch drawing.

After weeks of voting – first by Mazda designers, then Facebook members – McMorrow was selected as a finalist, at which time she was paired with Mazda designer Jacques Flynn who helped bring her design to life on paper. “Jacques took everything I said and sketched, and put my thoughts and feelings on paper,” said McMorrow. “I was thrilled when I opened up the images of the final renderings. I’m proud to say that the end design was still definitely my car and I can’t wait to see it come to fruition on the show floor.”

Today McMorrow will begin working one-on-one with Franz von Holzhausen, director of design, MNAO, and his team to bring her concept to life, live from the Mazda booth at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show. A formal press conference will be held at 12:50 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, at the Mazda booth.

“The Mazda Design Challenge brought in a flood of cool, unique design ideas. The winning design concept is a fresh new way to look at the design of a vehicle,” said von Holzhausen. “This competition was a tremendous success, and the entire process was really beneficial to my team and me to understand what design means to our target buyers. Now the hard part comes – to see if we can actually build a full concept car on the show stand in ten days and in full-view of show goers.”

Auto show attendees can watch von Holzhausen and his team in action from 12 noon to 8:00 p.m. daily, as they mold, carve and smooth the would-be 2018 MAZDA3. The final clay sculpture of the concept will be unveiled at 3 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 24.

Mallory McMorrow – “Car Girl” by design

An Industrial Design major at the University of Notre Dame, McMorrow, 21, of Whitehouse, NJ, first heard of the Mazda Design Challenge from her professor, Paul Down. Dubbed “the car girl” by her classmates in the Industrial Design department, McMorrow, who discovered her love for cars at a young age, jumped at the chance to enter.

With a background in graphic and industrial design, most of McMorrow’s design experience to date has focused primarily on product design, including automotive cleaning and car products. “All throughout college, I’ve heard nothing but how hard it will be to get into the auto design world, how I should keep my options open, and even how I should ‘think about interiors (because) …women work on interiors,” said McMorrow. “Now, thanks to this contest, I have a completely refreshed feeling about pursuing a career in cars.”

Mallory’s 2018 MAZDA3– In her own words

“A decade from now, I want a car that doesn’t believe in falling into a category. A car that makes sure sedan and hatchback are no longer four letter words. A chassis made to handle every s curve that comes its way. Fast. I want a car with the body and soul of a sports car, but a car that knows that sometimes I want to bring my friends, my things, or my dog. I want a car that has a sunroof that’s actually a sunroof, not a sun-one-quarter roof. I want a car that causes heads to turn – even before the first rev of the engine. I want a car that went from concept to showroom without meeting muted for the masses – unapologetically. I want a MAZDA3 that gets me – the everyday sports car, the 5-door that makes me forget I own a 5-door.”

In addition to McMorrow, finalists in the Mazda Design Challenge included Christopher Chung, Silver Spring, Md.; Preston Gilliam, East Bend, N.C.; Andrew Kinomoto, Bothell, Wash.; and Danny Song, San Mateo, Calif.

If you ever thought you could design a car, Mazda is giving you the opportunity. The "Mazda Desing Challenge" just launched at Facebook.com, where you can submit your own ideas for what the 2018 MAZDA3 should look like. The winner will work with Mazda designers at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The winner will also get a hotel room, $1,000 in cash, and a MAZDA3 to use while they're in L.A. The Mazda's Design Challenge began this week, and ends November 7th at just before midnight. You must visit Facebook.com to enter.

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- It's the ultimate assignment:
tell Mazda what you think the 2018 MAZDA3 should look like. And better, if
your design is chosen, you'll have the chance to put your talent where your
mouth is at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show, where you'll work with Mazda
designers to bring your creation to life in front of more than a million
anxious show-goers.
The "Mazda Design Challenge," launched today on Facebook.com
(http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7602701619), will enlist help from
Facebook members across the United States to compete to design a future
MAZDA3, Mazda's best-selling car globally. For the first time ever in the
auto industry, the victor will work with Franz von Holzhausen, director of
Mazda Design in North America, and his team, to bring the concept to life,
live on stage at the 2007 Los Angeles International Auto Show.
To enter, contestants must submit a 150-word description of their
vision of the 2018 MAZDA3 including an optional sketch drawing. The Mazda
Design team will then judge each entry, choosing 10 semi-finalists. Five
finalists will be chosen by the Facebook community. Each of the five
finalists will be paired with a Mazda designer to hone their concept, which
will then be judged and voted on in a second round by fellow Facebook
members.
Voting will take place over the course of a week, with the winning
designer traveling to Los Angeles to hone their work with the Mazda Design
team. Over the course of the ten-day auto show, the winner will bring their
vision to fruition, ending with a full-scale model that represents their
view of what the 2018 MAZDA3 will be.
"The 'Mazda Design Challenge' is an exciting, interactive competition
that capitalizes on the power and influence of social networking," said
David Klan, director of marketing, MNAO. "By inviting young voices into the
highly classified and secretive design process, Mazda will prove it's a
company involved in an active partnership with its customers."
"Usually the design ideas come from inside our studio, but this is a
rare opportunity for my team to look at design through our potential
customers' eyes," added von Holzhausen. "Never before has any other
automaker built a concept car on the show stand, in full view of show
attendees. The pressure's really going to be on all of us -- especially the
contest winner -- to get it finished in time for the closing weekend of the
show."
Travel, accommodations, $1,000 spending cash and a new MAZDA3 to drive
during their stay awaits the winner. In addition, the winner will have the
opportunity to take the microphone to introduce the final concept at its
unveiling on the final day of the show.
The contest is open only to residents of the United States, and begins
on September 25 and ends on November 7, 2007 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Participants must enter by visiting Facebook.com.
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations
oversees the sales, marketing, parts, accessories and customer service
support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through
nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada Inc.,
located in Ontario, Canada, and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in
Mexico City.

Mazda announced the launch of the all-new Mazda6. The second-generation inherits three engines of the previous model, all of them updated to use less fuel than before. The MZR-CD 2.0-l common-rail turbo diesel with diesel particulate filter (DPF) produces 103 kW at 3500 rpm and 330 Nm of maximum torque at 2000 rpm, and uses 6.7 % less fuel than the outgoing 2.0-l turbo diesel version.

Also carried over from the previous model are two petrol engines in 1.8-l and 2.0-l displacements. The 2.0-l produces 108 kW of maximum power at 6500 rpm and maximum torque of 184 Nm at 4000 rpm. The 1.8-l base engine produces 88 kW of maximum power at 5500 rpm and maximum torque of 165 Nm at 4300 rpm. The model comes with a choice of three transmissions including the company's five- speed and six-speed manual gearboxes for all models. To this it adds a five-speed automatic with manual shift mode for the 2.0-l petrol version for near-manual-like shifting in every gear.

The 2.5-l petrol engine, replaces the 2.3-l petrol of the outgoing model. It not only produces more maximum power of 125 kW at 6000 rpm and more maximum torque of 226 Nm at 4000 rpm - additional 19 Nm - than the 2.3-l, it also uses 6.9 % less fuel per 100 km. Also the engine includes a high-rigidity block, a stronger crankshaft, a dual-mass damper and a flexible flywheel. It employs sequential-valve timing (S-VT) and a variable intake system (VIS). At the same time, the new 2.5-l petrol has reduced exhaust resistance for better engine efficiency.

Flow design - a journey that explores the future of Mazda design

Since the 2002 launch of the Mazda Atenza (Mazda6 in export markets) as the first in a new generation of models, Mazda design has been earning the praise of customers, car specialists and designers around the world. Mazda concept car designs have firmly established a global reputation for eye-catching, Zoom-Zoom appeal - from the Mazda Senku concept car introduced at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show, which went on to win the Grand Prix du Plus Beau Concept Car at the 21st Festival Automobile International in 2006 in Paris, to the sports car study, Mazda Kabura, winner of the 2006 Detroit Motor Show’s Aesthetic and Innovation Award.

Building on this solid foundation while still further advancing the design of Mazda cars and instilling an even sportier and more athletic look, I challenged our design team to develop a new form of expression that evokes a perception of motion, even when the car is standing still. This gave birth to the theme of “flow” design, as based on the Japanese word “Nagare”, which means “flow” or “the embodiment of movement”. We turned to nature for inspiration, focusing on images of motion created in nature by forces like wind and water. Natural flow lines are all around us - shapes etched in sand dunes by the wind, ocean waves as seen from above, lava flows running down the slopes of a volcano. All lend an intuitive sense of motion. But it was in making the transition from observing motion in nature as an expression of energy to applying it to a manmade object such as a car that we discovered what a thoroughly exciting and logical creative approach the design concept represented. This revelation allowed us to proceed to create one dramatic and unique design after another.

The first concept car created using this new approach was the Mazda Nagare, which US-based design team Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen sees as a pure reflection of the flow design approach.

Mazda Ryuga followed closely after from Mazda’s Hiroshima Design Center, expressing the beauty of motion found in nature, as well as motion controlled by man. Chief Designer Yasushi Nakamuta explains, “The challenge was to incorporate elegant and refined design treatments that express Japanese concepts of mysterious beauty and intelligence within a dynamic body shape.”

Evidence of this approach can be observed in the side surfaces, which were inspired by the simple yet beautifully refined flow of carefully raked rocks found in Japanese karesansui gardens.

Mazda’s European Design Center presented us with the Mazda Hakaze design concept, aimed not only to suggest future possibilities for a compact crossover vehicle from Mazda, but also to offer a concept that fully considers practical application. Chief Designer Peter Birtwhistle sought to express the sensation of the wind blowing across the sand dunes, both in the textures used for the sides of the body, and within the interior as well. And true to this, repeated patterns across the exterior and interior, which evoke images of sand dunes, effectively express flow and motion.

Visitors to the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show will take delight in the Mazda Taiki, the fourth concept car in the series. Created by the Yokohama Design Center team led by Chief Designer, Yamada Atsuhiko, the Mazda Taiki represents a possible direction for design and technology to support the future of Mazda’s “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom” efforts. Innovative styling, instantly transporting the viewer's senses into the future, doesn’t stop merely at making a design statement. Rather, it additionally encompasses highly functional beauty, featuring outstanding aerodynamic performance. Driving pleasure in a work-of-art cockpit achieves the right balance between Zoom-Zoom driving pleasure and environmentally responsible performance. The Mazda Taiki clearly offers an iconic look at the Mazda sports car of the future.

Starting with the debut of the Mazda Nagare at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the process of moving from west to east around the globe towards the unveiling of the Mazda Taiki in Tokyo as we explored future design possibilities was a journey of personal discovery for Mazda design. Still, it does not mean that we arrived at any specific goal. On the contrary, it marks a new beginning in the ongoing evolution of Mazda design.
Mazda Taiki Concept - aimed at helping create a sustainable society

Mazda Taiki reflects one possible direction for a future generation of Mazda sports cars aimed at helping create a sustainable society. The fourth concept car in the Nagare design series, Mazda Taiki, further evolves the “flow” theme to establish a breathtaking presence that clearly defines its Nagare credentials, and visually expresses the atmosphere - called taiki in Japanese - that wraps the Earth in its protective mantle. Centering around the performance rotary engine sports packaging that is synonymous with the Mazda name, technologies introduced for the Mazda Taiki include the next-generation RENESIS (rotary engine 16X, refer to book separate volume for details), which sets new standards for environmental and driving performance, a front-engine rear-wheel-drive layout, unique 2-seat configuration, and others which convey an image of lightness. The effect integrates perfectly the design theme to realize unbeatable aerodynamic performance.
The flow of air as a design concept

An evolution of Nagare design; the form of a car that operates in harmony with the environment; the creation of an iconic Mazda sports car symbolized by its next-generation RENESIS. To bring these concepts together and create a design worthy of the Nagare design series, chief designer Atsuhiko Yamada presented his team with a single objective: create “a design that visually expresses the flow of air”.

“The preceding three concept cars in the Nagare series each took a hint from nature, such as the flow of water or the patterned surface of wind-swept sand dunes. In contrast, we wanted the concept car for the Tokyo Motor Show to convey both the beauty and power of nature, while also emphasizing the importance and the wonderful splendor of our environment. That led to our focusing on the air that blankets our planet and our desire to apply Nagare design in visually representing this entity, which is normally invisible to the eye.”, Chief Designer Atsuhiko Yamada’s words summarize, and as the very name of the concept car makes clear, Mazda Taiki’s futuristic design embodies Mazda’s determination to build cars that contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.
Hagoromo exterior embodies celestial robes waving on a breeze

The challenge to create “a design that visually expresses the flow of air” was inspired by the image of a pair of Hagoromo - the flowing robes that enable a celestial maiden to fly in Japanese legend - floating down from the sky. In addition to drawing sketch after sketch in various attempts to capture the right look, the designers also tried unique approaches, such as soaking cloth in plaster and then hanging it to dry while flapping in the wind, thereby capturing the motion of air in solid form. This gave birth to an innovative design, one with a nimble, light appearance and flowing contours that naturally capture the hearts and imaginations of those who see it.

The basic proportions begin with the stretched coupe form of a front-engine rear-wheel -drive layout, the short overhangs, and the liberating feel of the all-glass canopy, which combine to express a harmony of elegance and sportiness. The lower of the layered hagoromo flows from the front fenders to the sides, where it wraps under the body and gracefully curves up at the rear. The other hagoromo flows from the hood through the shoulder lines it etches, past the unique independent rear fender design, and lends a seductive curve to the rear deck. The fusion of these flowing upper and lower surfaces not only creates a visual depiction of flowing air, it also minimizes body volume for a trim, well-toned appearance, as well as creating a sense of floating lightly on air. This sensation is further amplified by the Ozonic Silver paint that was specially developed for this project. The outer panels of the doors that open widely toward the front form a relief that symbolizes the accelerating flow of air actually experienced by the designer during wind tunnel tests.
Aerodynamic performance with a drag coefficient of 0.25 and zero lift

The design team sought to achieve an extremely high level of aerodynamic performance through a combination of design and technologies. A bird's-eye view of the Mazda Taiki body shows how much its width is tapered from front to rear. From the side, one sees the smooth line of the flat underside kick up dramatically at the rear of the body. Validating the designer's wish to visually capture the motion of flowing air, wind tunnel testing proved the excellent aerodynamic performance inherent in the design. The distinctive shape around the rear wheels, which channels air flowing back from the front fender through a 'tunnel' formed between the body and rear fender, also proved effective in creating downforce. The already high aerodynamic potential of the original form was then fine tuned, the end result being an excellent drag coefficient of 0.25 and zero lift.
Details that capture the image of flowing air
Flowing illumination

The edges of the blades that comprise the grille are fitted with ultra-fine rows of brilliant LEDs. The rear combination lamps and door-mounted turn signal lamps employ unique Mazda technology and appear to shine through the body color but are distinguishable only when lit. The effect throughout creates the illusion of flowing air being transformed into lights visible to the human eye.
Dynamic tire tread pattern and wheel design

A collaborative effort with the tire designers and engineers created 22-inch tires for the Mazda Taiki that are dynamic in size and feature a bold tread pattern modeled after a flowing motif. The turbine wheel design was inspired by the turbo fan blades of a jet engine and developed in close collaboration with wheel engineers to create a unique design.
Koinobori interior design

Inspired by Japanese koinobori - the decorative “climbing carp streamers” that fly proudly in the early May skies of Japan- the notion of creating an Air-tube became the concept word for the interior design. In accordance, everything from the dashboard and seats down to the door trim creates the dynamic sensation that the flow of the wind is being visually depicted.

At the same time, the design team created a unique ambience for each half of the interior. The colors and materials clearly divide the cabin into black and white zones, and the strength of the design lines expresses a dynamic yet gentle quality.

On the driver’s side, the dashboard twists in dynamic fashion and continues on the cushion of the driver's seat. The independent seatback and headrest also create a new expression of flowing lightly, as though on a breeze. Black trim used as the keynote color, creates an environment that better helps the driver concentrate on driving.

The passenger 'zone' provides the relaxing comfort of a lounge chair surrounded by plenty of legroom. The white trim color helps accent the resulting expression of roomy comfort that truly befits a passenger seat.

The design concept aims for a new form of sports car cabin. The center shelf between the driver and passenger seats can be effectively used as flexible utility space.
Interior details that emphasize flow

The cabin precludes any sense of symmetry or adherence to any prescribed design doctrine. Each part embodies flowing wind, instilling a light, airy feel, that also creates an organic, dream-like ambience.
Structural beauty with emotion

The transparent teardrop roof that covers the cabin is reinforced by a truss frame with flowing contours that constitute one part of the body structure. The same design theme is also applied to the steering column and seat frame of the driver's seat. To make the beautiful contours of this frame design clearly visible, the cushion and back for the driver's seat are made from a clear elastic silicone plastic material.
Zen calligraphy with a shine

The black and white genuine leather of the interior features flowing calligraphic strokes painted on the surface using a gloss paint that contains metallic pigment. A new technique developed through collaboration with textile designers allowed an artist to use a brush to visually recreate the flow of the wind. The lines follow the contours of the dashboard and seats to further emphasize the sense of flow. The material surface is coated using a process that is unique to Mazda.
Tachometer that renders visible the beat of the rotary engine

Extending gracefully to embrace the steering wheel and driver’s seat, the respective edges of the dashboard each feature a row of red LEDs that function as the tachometer. Streams of red light flow toward the front on either side of the driver to visually depict leaps in engine RPM. The result is dynamic visual feedback that expresses the emotion of driving.
Advanced human-machine interface (HMI)

To further advance safety performance and take it to new levels for the future, Mazda is actively working on an HMI that will make communication between driver and machine smoother and easier, as well as further developing advanced active safety technologies. Multi-control switches for the respective systems are integrated into the rotary-inspired steering wheel in a design that allows drivers to perform all driving operations without removing their hands from the steering wheel. Also integrated into the steering wheel is a multi-display that provides the driver with a variety of information displays.

Mazda Taiki - Specifications

	Overall length	4620 mm
	Overall width	1950 mm
Dimensions	Overall height	1240 mm
	Wheelbase	3000 mm
	Seating capacity	2 people
Engine	Type	Next Generation RENESIS
Transmission	Type	Dry twin clutch 7-speed power shift
Suspension (Front/Rear)	Type	Double wishbone
Tires	Type	195/40 R22 YOKOHAMA ADVAN Super-E spec PROTOTYPE 007

The hyper-aerodynamic Mazda Taiki is the fourth vehicle in Mazda’s Nagare series of cars based on the concept of “flow.” Inspired by Japanese koinobori (decorative carp-shaped streamers), Taiki’s design is meant to visually express the flow of air (incidentally, taiki means “atmosphere” in Japanese). With outstanding environmental and driving performance, Taiki’s next-generation rotary engine and front-engine rear-drive layout may well figure into Mazda’s future sports cars designed to help achieve a more sustainable society.