Mazda stylist gives insight into design at the Zoom-Zoom company
Our friends at AutoblogGreen recently got the chance to hear the Chief of Mazda's US design team, Franz von Holzhausen, give an insight into the design culture at Mazda. Reading his name immediately conjures the image of a sophisticated Euro stylist but the Connecticut-born designer, now based in California, looked more SoCal surfer than smug design guru. Speaking about specific models and concepts, Holzhausen reveals that inspiration is taken from nature with designs that are more fluid and organic than the blocky shapes seen in most production cars today. As always, Mazda's persistent "Zoom, Zoom" philosophy will continue to play a major role in future designs. There will be more RWD and AWD models in the lineup, a departure from its current range, plus a greater focus on interiors, too.
One key factor that will have an affect on all aspects of car development is the impending US Energy bill that's currently being debated on Capitol Hill. With targets of 35mpg proposed for cars and trucks by 2020, we're likely to see a dramatic change in some designs. Lower drag coefficients, more underbody diffusers and fluid shapes are all in store for future models. We can't wait.
[Source: Autoblog Green]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mike 8:57AM (6/27/2007)
What is this crap...let keep the comments relevant.
Brody get %^$& off autoblog!
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bmoredlj 9:09AM (6/27/2007)
Franz von Holzhausen - he inherited the Hellfish Bonanza, right?
I hope the designs actually come through in production versions of Mazdas to come. I'm not in love with the Ryuga and Hakaze, et al., but they do look different and yet still Mazdalike.
As an aside, I'd like Mazda to start using real names, instead of anonymous numbers.
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Aetius 12:37PM (6/27/2007)
"We can't wait."
Neither can the "Design" department at Toyota.
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Typesbad 10:54PM (6/27/2007)
I'm no longer paid to promote them but I still think that for a non-luxury brand, Mazda has the best looking stable of models in the industry (assuming the truck and Tribute are positioned behind you in the stable). And their chassis dynamics totally back up their looks.
Never has a dumb tagline done so much for a brand. Keep the magic flowing Franz!
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