Quote: Mazda is packing some serious punch for the Tokyo Motor Show, unveiling a stylish hatchback it's calling the Kai Concept to go along with the earlier reveal of the show-stopping Vision Coupe.
The compact five-door concept heralds a new generation of cars for the Japanese automaker, which is best known for making sporty, smallish and well-designed vehicles — such as the Mazda3, from which this concept derives its design direction. This version smooths over most of the Mazda3's sharp body creases in favor of smooth, undulating body panels that dramatically reflect light and reflect Mazda's KODO design language. It also gets more narrow, aggressive-looking headlights and a unique overhead profile, with two panes of glass that continue from the windshield and are intersected by a solid-color center, like a U-shaped moonroof.
The Kai is powered by a next-generation Skyactiv-X combustion engine, which uses Mazda's proprietary compression ignition system to give the gas-powered engine the fuel efficiency, torque and initial acceleration response of a diesel powertrain. Which is encouraging, considering the Mazda3 already delivers impressive fuel economy.
Inside, the concept hints at more refinement, with streamlined chrome accents popping from the black dash and interior panels. It all rests on Mazda's Skyactiv Vehicle Architecture that reflects human-centered design philosophy in everything from redesigned seats to maintain the spine's natural "S" curvature, to NVH tweaks to encourage a quieter, more comfortable ride.
It looks like that tablet-style central touchscreen display is gone. I cannot tell for sure, but it looks like it has been replaced by a display buried in that horizontal slit atop the lower dashboard with a touchpad controller behind the gearshift lever.
The interior is stunning. Mazda is really pushing towards being a modern day Amati with the last couple concepts. Their business leaders have also expressed interest in steering the company towards a more upscale marque.
The interior is stunning. Mazda is really pushing towards being a modern day Amati with the last couple concepts. Their business leaders have also expressed interest in steering the company towards a more upscale marque.
You've got that right. My maternal grandfather was a BMW and Mazda distributor back in the 1970s and 1980s. He would be so proud to see what Mazda has become, as my grandmother has. He lamented the fact that Amati existed, but never fully came to fruition (partly because of Ford).
i hope Toyota doesn't see them as a threat and block a RWD sedan/coupe.
At this point, we can now start seeing prototypes of Mazda's BO Axela / 3 testing in public. The final design was set back when the BN refresh was revealed last year, so this concept is simply a preview of what's already done and unlike what happened with the LF-LC to LC 500.
Slideshow: A five-car lineup spanning more than five decades of Toyota performance and engineering will tackle one of Italy's most celebrated automotive routes.
