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.


[Source: Mazda]

Click the image above for more high-res shots of the Ryuga concept.

It's no surprise that Mazda's looking to radically revamp its entire product portfolio in the coming years, and the cohesive style set by the Nagare line of concepts will bring Mazda's design chief, Laurens van den Acker's vision to the road in the next few years.

The first model to benefit from this new design direction will be the 2009 Mazda3, which will sport a trio of new elements that we've seen in concept form over the last year. The five-point gaping grin that's been showcased on everything from the Kabura to the Taiki will find its way onto all of Mazda's products, along with flowing creases embedded into the side panels. Like many automakers, longer wheelbases and shorter front and rear overhangs, with the wheels pushed to the outer edges of the body, will be adopted, and the Dutch designer is intent on making all of Mazda's products appear more sporting, with a low-slung style that mimics the shape of rear-drivers.

What lays beneath that new sheet metal should be just as intriguing as the styling, and if the aforementioned Kabura and Taiki are any indication, Mazda's continuing goal to be a driver-focused brand is evolving from the inside out.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

"We've just introduced a special edition of the RX-8" was the response from a Mazda rep when asked when we might get a new RX-7. Not the answer to the question, but we understand that it's all hush-hush when it comes to whatever might be in store on the 2-door, rear wheel drive, not-an-MX-5 tip. A new RX-7 (FE?) will debut within the next three years according to Autocar, and it will be the first production car to carry the design themes presented in Mazda's latest series of concept cars (Nagare, Ryuga, Hakaze, Taiki). The RX-8 will be freed up to evolve into more of a GT if the 7 comes to be. Autocar has had its digital image wizards whip up what they think the car might look like. We hope not, as it looks like what might happen if a Corvette stopped short in front of a Testarossa. In other words, it looks like 1988.

Joining the new "flow"-ing exterior lines will be a thoroughly revised rotary engine. Bumped out to 3.2 liters, the new Wankel will have direct fuel injection and sport forced induction via turbocharging. Reshaped combustion chambers are said to improve thermal efficiency, burn more completely, produce more low end torque, and return better fuel economy (woo-hoo!). We're surprised they didn't switch it's fuel to Unicorn sneezes, as the rest of the improvements seem like a fairy tale outcome for the wimpy, thirsty Wankel we know and love.

[Source: Autocar]

click above image for more pics

Word from inside the pages of an unnamed Japanese auto mag is that this car will debut on the Mazda stand at this year's Tokyo Motor Show next month. The coupe is obviously inspired by the trio of concepts that Mazda debuted on the auto show circuit last year: the Nagare, Ryuga and Kabura concepts. While we don't know if these pics are official from Mazda or merely renderings produced by the magazine, we can tell you that at least the head on shot is a touched up version of a Kabura sketch. In fact, the entire car looks mostly like a production version of the Kabura Concept, though it features cues from all three concepts.

Though it's not known whether it would be front- or rear-wheel drive, the article is reported to mention that it would be powered by the next generation of Mazda's rotary engine, the RENESIS(2), which itself will incorporate the first increase in displacement of a Mazda rotary engine from its famous 1.3 liters since 1974.

Regardless of whether or not these are official pics, one thing's for sure is that they show a car we'd want to buy. Ever since seeing the Nagare, Ryuga and Senku concepts, we've wondered how those radical concepts might translate into a production car, and we might have our answer in a few weeks.

Thanks for the tip, Michael!

[Source: Rotarynews.com]

Mazda made it clear at the beginning of this auto show season that each of the three concepts it debuted would be more production ready than the last. First there was the Nagare concept that debuted at the LA Auto Show, and then came the Ryuga concept that was shown at the Detroit Auto Show. The final concept, called the Hakaze, debuted this month in Geneva, and according to a report from Auto Express is destined to inspire the design of a production CUV called the CX-5.

The naming convention used here is apt, as the new ute will combine the utility of the CX-7 with the fun-to-drive nature of the MX-5. What's more, it appears the CX-5 will be the second vehicle in Mazda's lineup after the RX-8 to sport a pair of rear-hinged "suicide" doors that provide easier access to vehicle's second row of seats.

The rendering shown on Auto Express reveals the CX-5 will share a basic shape with the Hakaze concept, but many cues will be toned down on the production version. Considering that Mazda used an interesting ripple effect on the exterior sheetmetal of all three concepts, we were surpised to see the CX-5's sheetmetal is as smooth as a baby's butt. Regardless, the CX-5 could reach showrooms as early as 2010.

[Source: Auto Express]

click above image to view all the new Hakaze photos

Mazda has had a successful auto show season so far thanks to the warm reception of its first two concepts, the Nagare and Ryuga. Unveiled at the L.A. and Detroit auto shows respectively, those two concepts were admittedly as far from production ready as you can get. Mazda's third and final concept for this show season, the Hakaze, is said to be the only one of the three that could be made production ready in a relatively short amount of time. Well, we brought you a large gallery of images showing the development and design team behind the Hakaze concept already, but there were only two exterior shots of the vehicle and no interior shots in that batch of snaps. KickingTires.com has come across almost a dozen additinal shots that show the Hakaze in real world situations, as well as the interior.

[Source: KickingTires.com]

click on above image to view all the new high-resolution live shots

Mazda's press conference isn't until tomorrow, but when we heard the Ryuga Concept was already spinning on a pedestal in the brand's booth, we grabbed our gear and ran down for an impromptu photo shoot. This car truly loves the camera; every side is its good side. Upon examing the car closer, we appreciate it more now for its details than overall shape. The wheels in particular with their torque-twisted spokes and dab of body color paint are one of the car's finest features. While the head and taillights are years away from production, the concept's face doesn't look far off from what could sold in showrooms. The interior, however, is a product of pure imagination, and while certainly striking and creative, lacks any connection with reality.

After 20 minutes of shooting we found ourselves in possession of another 29 fantastic pics of this beauty. Check them out in all their high-resolution glory by viewing the gallery.



For our comprehensive listing of everything from Detroit, click here.

The Ryuga (pronounced "ree-yoo-ga," Japanese for gracious flow) is Mazda's second concept in a series of three it plans to debut this auto show season. The first was the Nagare that debuted in L.A., and the last will be unveiled in March at the Geneva show. The Ryuga, however, is here today and stands as a more developed concept than the Nagare, which was a pure exterior design study with no powertrain or interior.

The Ryuga expands on the "emotion of motion" concept that debuted with the Nagare, and you can see the elements of flow captured in the car's sheetmetal. The sweeping lines on the doors, for instance, were inspired by the raked pebbles in a Japanese dry garden (or the lines you leave in a sand trap if you practice proper golf etiquette). The wheels, as well, feature spokes that twist near the hub, as if the torque of the car's imaginary flex-fuel engine has twisted them. Finally, the color of the Ryuga is meant to evoke flowing lava, with tones and hue that vary from yellow to blue to red depending on the light. We won't go on about the Ryuga's styling, suffice it to say that Mazda's got the best looking concept of the show from what we've seen so far.

The interior of the Ryuga, in particular, is a work of automobilia art. The dash is dominated by expanses of black leather puncuated with the stark contrast of silver metal. We particularly like the floating, blue-lit gauge pod and open-top steering wheel, as well as the console that pierces the center tunnel. Like the production RX-8, the Ryuga is a sports car that will seat four, employing a wide, comfy bench seat in the back. Entry for all passengers is accomplished by lifting two giant gull-wing doors that must require the mightiest struts to keep from crashing down.



Check out Mazda's full press release on the Ryuga after the jump (very eloquent prose, indeed) and our high-resolution gallery of 27 pics. Tomorrow we'll report back with our impression of the Ryuga in person, as well as update our gallery with live shots.

Check out all the debuts and galleries from the Detroit Auto Show here.

Last year Mazda prepared three concepts for the auto show circuit, the Sassou, Senku and Kabura. This year we'll see three more concepts from the Japanese automaker, the first of which is the Nagare Concept. Its name is Japense for "flow" and the Nagare's design is supposed to capture the "spirit of motion". It's an age-old design mantra and holy grail for auto artists – make a car look like it's going fast while standing still. We'll leave it up to you to decide whether Mazda's Director of Design, Franz von Holzhausen (shown above showing off his baby), and his team succeeded.

Follow the jump for more analysis, live shots, press shots and Mazda's full press release.

[Source: Mazda]

click on image to enlarge

The official leakage ahead of the L.A. Auto Show has begun, and Mazda has oozed out an obscure artsy rendering of a concept it will debut called the Nagare (pronounced na-gah-reh). Unlike the last three concepts from Mazda, the Sassou, Senku and Kabura, the Nagare is said to actually showcase Mazda's future design direction. The new General Manager of Mazda's Design Division, Laurens van den Acker, says the concept sums up the future of Mazda design in one word - "Flow". That's followed up in the press release by a heavy flow of PR design jargon that tells us nothing about the concept, things like "Negare examines light and shadow," and "an evolving expression of Zoom-Zoom." What can we tell you about the Nagare from the accompanying image? It has a brake light, at least one, tiger stripes on the driver's side, no doors, and, oh yeah, it's definitely in the business of examining light and shadow. Still, we did like the Kabura concept Mazda showed in Detroit back in January that was designed by Franz Von Holzhausen, who now heads Design for Mazda North America and lead the Nagare design team.

Follow the jump for Mazda's ebullient press release.

[Source: Mazda]