Click above for a high-res gallery, follow the jump for video
Meet the Biante, Mazda's new Japan-only 8-passenger minivan. The funky oversized headlamps, expansive greenhouse, and stylish frenched taillamps are the work of Iwao Koizumi, designer of the original Atenza (Mazda6 outside Japan) and CX-7.
Mazda announced the Biante earlier this week, and details are still a bit thin thin. According to the automaker, the new people-mover's name is derived from the word "ambient" and will deliver the most interior space in its class when it goes on sale later this summer. We expect to learn more technical info then, but in the meantime, we've got a promo video after the jump as well as a high-res photo gallery below.
If you can read Japanese, you can also stop by the official Biante website, which features a bunch of Gumby-like characters that represent a family of seven, plus one dog -- all of whom should fit in the new ride. You know, if they were real people. It's all very Japanese.
[Sources: Mazda, Nihon Car]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
James @ May 10th 2008 4:42PM
This actually looks quite run-of-the-mill when compared to the current, well-established family options already on the JDM market, such as the Toyota Noah/Voxy and Honda StepWGN. Certainly not my favorite of Koizumi's designs.
tekdemon @ May 10th 2008 5:09PM
Since it's from Mazda, they actually have to be somewhat run of the mill due to some confusing Japanese corporate philosophies. Like, Mazda always has to produce products expected of Mazda, so if they produced something substantially more awesome than say, Toyota, it would be looked down upon or something insane.
Or so my brother says after he researched competition amongst Japanese corporations...there's some weird unspoken rules.
James @ May 10th 2008 5:38PM
I have spent a lot of time in Japan, and while I can't vouch for that business practice, it doesn't seem totally unreasonable given the way traditional Japanese society and culture work.
That said, just because Mazda has a permanent place under Toyota and Honda in the Japanese market doesn't mean it has to have a van with a completely uninspired design. Those gaping holes on either side of the front and rear fenders just look like they just shouldn't be there. This just looks extremely staid in a lot next to the gorgeous 2nd gen Atenza/Mazda6. JDM is known for having some rather quirkly designs, but I think this one misses the mark.
To the Biante's credit, the aerial photo of the interior suggests quite aesthetically pleasing dashboard layout and seating surfaces.
tankd0g @ May 10th 2008 4:42PM
What's with the long nose, W12 under there?
James @ May 10th 2008 4:55PM
Koizumi-san... what's Japanese for "trying too hard"?
Chaz @ May 10th 2008 5:29PM
I see some C4 Picasso in there, maybe. Notable that the LW platform (mkII) MPV also had 8 passenger seating available everywhere else in the world (7 in the US), and the Premacy/Mazda5 offers 7 seats everywhere but the US (where it's 6), so I doubt this would come here with 8.
Cam @ May 10th 2008 5:48PM
Not bad although I'd rather have the Ford S-Max.
Those wheels look distinctly EU-Ford Focus
TBlueMax @ May 10th 2008 9:28PM
The wheel design also bears a striking similarity to the US-market Mazda5 - not the same, but pretty close.
http://images.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/images/vehicles/gallery/MZ5/pho_gallery_MZ5_ext5.jpg
KA @ May 10th 2008 5:50PM
Say what you will, but I like it a lot. It's bold enough for a van, but not too much to be hideous. Designing an interesting minivan is tricky business.
Justin @ May 10th 2008 6:01PM
I'd take one over a lift kit cuv.
EquinsuOcha @ May 10th 2008 6:12PM
It's the love child of an illicit three way between an MPV, a Mazda 5, and a Mercedes R class.
That being said, it could be worse.
MachinaDC5 @ May 10th 2008 9:26PM
Niiice headlights...
Matt @ May 10th 2008 10:18PM
not sure u could call it seating for 8, looking at the middle "seat" in the second row. I think there's a reason the gumby family ad shows 7 and a dog.
John Starnes @ May 10th 2008 11:00PM
I love it..bold, avant garde, futuristic....I love how the trippy sleek headlights merge into the windows visually. This is what a Cylon soccer mom would drive!
Ben @ May 11th 2008 12:00AM
What is up with the lights, they sort of flow into the windshield?
Cire @ May 11th 2008 9:21PM
I'm a huge Mazda fan, but I have to admit that this thing is very odd and quite hideous. I'm glad that we get the CX-9 here in the U.S. instead.
harold @ Sep 2nd 2008 2:39PM
I think this is very JDM. I'm not going to be all angsty because it looks different, or jaded because it's a box on wheels, but I think for what it is, it looks well thought out, for example look at the tracks for the seating in the floor-- configuration. The exterior lines are flowing, as promised and the headlight to corner glass phenomenon makes sense given the design philosophy. For whatever segment this vehicle fits in, it looks good!