Mazda Kazamai concept unveiled ahead of Moscow debut
by Alex Nunez on Jul 15th 2008 at 8:25AM 
Click image for a hi-res gallery of the Kazamai
Mazda has unveiled the first official images of the new Kazamai concept ahead of the car's official debut on August 26 at the Moscow International Auto Salon. In Japanese, "Kazamai" means "swirling crosswinds." In English, that means "Nagare-styled compact CUV." If Mazda were to make a small crossover using the Nagare design language, it would probably look something like this. Only with four doors, because we all know that the 2-door configs are just to make the show cars sexier. So, does this mean that Mazda's working on a stylish, downsized CUV to join the ranks of the CX-7 and CX-9? Well, probably, given expensive gas prices and the resurgence of smaller vehicles in general. With any luck, it'll look this cool if and/or when it arrives.
Gallery: Mazda Kazamai Concept
[Source: Mazda]
PRESS RELEASE:
Mazda Kazamai Concept to Premiere at Moscow International Automobile Salon 2008
HIROSHIMA, Japan-Mazda will unveil a sporty, compact crossover concept vehicle, Mazda Kazamai, at the Moscow International Automobile Salon (MIAS) on August 26. Kazamai, which means "swirling crosswinds" in Japanese, expresses the powerful yet nimble image of a stylish and compact crossover. The concept is based on Mazda's long-term vision for technology development, Sustainable Zoom-Zoom, which aims to provide a unique balance between sporty driving fun and superior environmental and safety performance. Kazamai will be joined at MIAS by the Russian debut of Mazda's CX-9 SUV, which was crowned 2008 North American Truck of the Year in February.
The Kazamai concept further evolves Mazda's 'Nagare' design language by fusing Nagare's 'flow' design cues with aerodynamic proportions. The design features panel lines inspired by crosswinds in nature which evoke visual lightness. Its bold five-point grille, accentuated front wheel arches and sleek roof line, combined with large 22-inch wheels, lend it high emotional appeal.
Sporty to look at, Kazamai is meant to be spirited and fun to drive, with compact dimensions. Kazamai's four-wheel drive powertrain will consist of a next-generation direct injection engine and a newly developed transmission. It is also aerodynamic, with an evolved lightweight body structure and enhanced the vehicle safety attributes. Were it to be built, Mazda's latest show car would deliver exciting driving dynamics, frugal fuel consumption and greatly reduced CO2 emissions.
The Mazda Kazamai promises to be another ground-breaking show car from Mazda Design, winner of this year's Grand Prix du Design in Paris. Created especially for the Moscow International Automobile Salon, it gives a good indication of where Mazda is going with a possible future compact crossover. And in Russia's growing automotive market, compact SUVs are the second-largest segment, representing about 13 percent of all new car sales.
Complete information will be made available immediately after Mazda's press conference at 10:15 a.m. local time, on August 26 at the Mazda stand.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
xcrunk 8:46AM (7/15/2008)
Mazda, please drop some pics of the 09 Mazda 3 already.
Dying to see the new version. Still loving the current version as well. What a nice little car.
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Nuieve 1:12PM (7/15/2008)
Looks EXACTLY the same as their previous 20 concepts cars.
PiCASSO 8:49AM (7/15/2008)
First impression: Don't like it.
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baffledu2 9:09AM (7/15/2008)
Whats with the Jimmy Durante nose ?????
Rocketboy 9:42AM (7/15/2008)
Baff.. it does have somewhat of a moose nose, but other than that, do want.
Dude 8:50AM (7/15/2008)
Enough of the fugly concept cars Mazda.
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Injected 8:51AM (7/15/2008)
Mazda has created several concepts with this design language. When will it actually make it to production?
I hope that the renderings of the new 3 that came a few weeks back are indicative of what the car will actually look like.
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Vintage 9:27AM (7/15/2008)
I don't think it can. This flowing, organic style is very VERY complex, and does not lend itself well to mass production. Seems more of a gimmick than anything else. I'd expect swoopy character lines on future models, but that's about it.
MajorGeek 8:58AM (7/15/2008)
Have not been liking Mazda designs for some time now and their concepts continue to bore me. I think they need a shakeup in their design team, along with Dodge.
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BlackCanary 9:13AM (7/15/2008)
In a word ... yuck!
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Adam Marcello 9:14AM (7/15/2008)
Why did people encourage this design scheme. Sure it works on a very extreme level, but now they are toning it down closer and closer to production and each iteration looks worse and worse. Pretty son this will look like the side of a 2000 grand am only wavy.
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Vintage 9:28AM (7/15/2008)
Exactly what I was just getting at above, when replying to Injected. Great for a super insane concept car.... crap for a production car.
car doctor 10:18AM (7/15/2008)
The first few flow concepts were interesting but now it's starting to feel old - and it's not even in production yet! I think it's time to stop milking this cow.
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policyvote 10:06AM (7/15/2008)
Agreed . . . what company spends two years releasing a stream of concepts to outline its 'new design language', without releasing a single production model with it, or even production-ready concept? By the time the 'Nagare-influenced' 3 comes out, it will be anticlimactic--and by the time a full-on Nagare design actually drops, it will be yawn-inducing. Come on Mazda, get on the stick!
Peace
policy
P.V. 10:01AM (7/15/2008)
Replace the Tribute (but not with this)!
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Torrent 10:33AM (7/15/2008)
Nasty. Cars with no grills were out in '96. But if you made a grill on it and called it the CX-7, I'd like it.
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ron 12:10PM (7/15/2008)
mazda has some talented designers, but they go overboard with their designs sometimes.
dont get me wrong, its nice looking, but i cant imagine seeing these in abundance on the streets
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Jon 12:23PM (7/15/2008)
still beautiful.. i dont care what anyone says
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adelossa 2:22PM (7/15/2008)
I can actually see some of the curves that could be used in a Mazda product.
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radhoo 3:04PM (7/24/2008)
It'a an odd name and it has a great look. I think it will have succes.
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