Student designed Mazda Yuuga Coupe features no smiley face
Mazda Yuuga Coupe - Click above for high-res image gallery
The jury is largely in on Mazda's new happy corporate face and well, most folks don't like it. But what if Mazda designed a car featuring its Nagare design language minus the smiley face? That's exactly what one student designer named Imran Ali did with the Yuuga Coupe. Presented at the 2009 Degree Show at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea, UK, we have to say that the Yugga Coupe is quite the looker.
No known plans exist for production. For all anyone knows, this could be a Mazda6 coupe. Or, the Yuuga could indicate a design direction for future RX models – like a return to the gone-but-totally-not-forgotten RX-7. Or hey, it could be something totally different – who knows? The all-glass roof and crash-cymbal sized brakes are obviously auto show wishful thinking, yet the side profile is quite modern and Fisker-like. The rear looks even better – sorta like an Aston Martin V8. Then, of course, there's the Mazda meets GT-R front end, which is especially handsome. Good work, Mr. Ali. We hope they build it, though the name has to go. Too close to Yugo for our liking.
Gallery: Mazda Yuuga Coupe
[Source: Car Body Design via Car Scoop]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
flyboy573 1:00PM (8/13/2009)
I see a lil' AM Vantage from the side. Thats a good thing.
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Farmboy 1:09PM (8/13/2009)
Agreed. This design would look stunning on an RX.
Rboyett 1:23PM (8/13/2009)
That was my exact thought the moment I saw it. Of all companies to copy from, Aston Martin would be it. The model looks fabulous.
I think it would be awesome if Mazda took the platform of the next RX8 and stretched it into a proper RWD 2+2 coupe like the old 6.
Motor_Yakuza 3:23PM (8/13/2009)
This is a bit ugly, looks unfinished and dose not look like Mazda at all.
Mike P. 1:02PM (8/13/2009)
The front looks very "Renault" to me.
I don't really see that much "Nagare" in this design--shapely side panels for sure, but it lacks the traits Mazda's worked hard to define as their own (front fenders in particular).
All in all, a gorgeous design, but if you were to replace the front fascia and badge, it could be any other car on the market. When I was in design school, the object was to create something un-generic and fresh to avoid that fallacy--there's plenty of time to design generic stuff later.
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nagmashot 1:45PM (8/13/2009)
agree new Renault Megane Coupe front with Aston Martin side line...
LBuzzer 2:07PM (8/13/2009)
Perfectly said, Mike P.
Not much Nagare there.
Farmboy 1:07PM (8/13/2009)
However that front end reminds me of kabuki-style face painting, like some sort of shogun. Still, a very nice design.
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Mr.Oak 1:09PM (8/13/2009)
I always knew, common sense would eventually prevail. I hate that stupid smiley face design.
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Paranoider 1:24PM (8/13/2009)
Hahahaha! I knew i recognised this! i go to this uni and am on the auto design course!! WOOOO Swansea for the win! That design was one of the best of the show!
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tC 1:16PM (8/13/2009)
I still see a smile.
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Rick C. 1:41PM (8/13/2009)
The smile is evil! It's like a homicidal, knife-wielding clown from an old B-movie.
On another note, this was a student's work? Not bad. He can show a thing or two to current designers.
Jim in Tampa 1:39PM (8/13/2009)
Thank god!!! I thought I was the only one who saw a smile.
MAAD 3:25PM (8/13/2009)
I definitely see a smile, but it isn't homicidal.. at least not from my perspective it just looks dopey. Looks like when it laughs it sounds like "huh huh" instead of "ha ha" and it automatically makes me think of the vulture in those Bugs Bunny cartoons. Other than that.. great looking car huh huh
ugg.tryptophan 12:56AM (8/14/2009)
its more bucktoothed this time
216 1:20PM (8/13/2009)
Ferrari?
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RedSiBaron 1:23PM (8/13/2009)
really? i feel this design is stagnant, there isnt enough love or tension to the surfaces or lines, and the front is unresolved and flat and the rear looks like a 90s chrysler product had a bad accident with an aston...not enough dash to axle for my liking either...renderings are sophmore level as well as the sketching...
the front fenders look stolen directly from the current mazda 6...if this was supposed to be a future design id say the designer didnt do a good job, this is a 2012 design at best...
wheels are too small for a concept model IMO......
why is it when you write an article for a student project you present it as if its something being considered by the company the vehicle is designed for...it's a student project, it was either sponsored by mazda or the student picked the company for their project...
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Taglane 1:22PM (8/13/2009)
That front end is soooo renault.
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MajorGeek 1:30PM (8/13/2009)
If you look at it upside down, its a pissed off robotic face.
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alfaBAT9 1:34PM (8/13/2009)
The white model with the black wheels looks sweet (pics 1 and 3). I like the rear design.
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