Tuesday 31st August 2010

Shinari Concept Shows New Mazda Design Language

New-look concept for Paris show - and it could become the next RX-8

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You may not know this but you are looking, we're assured by Mazda, at an example of the 'soul of motion'.

That's the translation for 'Kodo', the name for Mazda's brand-new design language, which will make its debut with this, the Mazda Shinari concept, at the Paris motor show in a few weeks time.

Ikuo Maeda, Mazda's chief designer, has said that the show car's look will form the basis for the next generation of Mazdas.

Neither Maeda nor Mazda have gone into more specific details about the production future of the Shinari, however. On the one hand it could morph into the next Mazda 6 family saloon (yawn). Alternatively, it could become something much sportier - an almost-successor to the RX-8, which has been killed-off by Euro5 emissions regulations (significantly less yawn).

We already know that Maeda is keen on Mazda's sporting heritage - he revealed a few months ago that he wants to bring back the RX-7 - so fingers crossed that the four-door, four-seat Shinari coupe makes it to production as something sporty rather than something saloony.

[mrclav]

I'm loving this (even though some might say the front end is a bit of a Jag rip-off), it definitely is a very agreeable design - let's hope they doesn't dilute it too much... Well done Mazda!

[Munter]

Slightly less aggressive than the Furai.

[PhantomPH]

Mazda have a habit of doing this, tho. There have been loads of great looking concepts in recent years (seen a few at various motor shows), but they still produce the dubious-looking Mazda 3 facelifts and the 6...I hate to say it, but at least Citroen are taking their balls in their hands and building some of the designs that people fall in love with.

What you will see, is a hugely watered down and boring version of this design. This design is faaaar too pretty to make production.

[E31Shrew]

Aston, Jaguar, BMW CS concept...all in one

[nsmith1180]

Stunning, cant wait to see it in the metal at Paris.

[BUG4LIFE]

Kind of a generic concept, but still nice. Mazda really need to produce something mind blowing for the next RX7 and the last version is just so damn gorgeous!!!

[hornetrider]

I'm looking forward to seeing how that front end language translates into the 4th Gen MX5. Could be a looker.

[soad]

Looks good but will it make it into a production? Be watered down perhaps, like some said.

[louismchuge]

saloony - my new favorite word!

[Gizmo!]

Bad news for you - there's a new Mondeo due in 2014, and for the last few editions the Mazda 6 has come out a year or so ahead. Low nose, high tail... four doors... I'd lay very good money that this is the 2013 Mazda 6 saloon to form the basis of the Mondeo.

[whiteonyx]

i'm sick of companies showing off their concepts and then produce a bland box, just build the bloody things so we can have them on our driveways!

[louismchuge]

Gizmo! said:

Bad news for you - there's a new Mondeo due in 2014, and for the last few editions the Mazda 6 has come out a year or so ahead. Low nose, high tail... four doors... I'd lay very good money that this is the 2013 Mazda 6 saloon to form the basis of the Mondeo.

autocar are touting it as the next 6 too

[ZOLLAR]

Munter said:

Slightly less aggressive than the Furai.

God i love that car!

[poprock]

Looks like some sort of Z4/Rover mashup. Horribly bland.

[ZesPak]

Am I the only one who thinks that the Mazda 6 is a very good looking car?

Mazda (imho) is on the right track for designs, and if you want to slay a manufacturer, do toyota for not making anything interesting anymore. Mazda gave us, amongst others, the RX7 and RX8, produces something as wild as the Furai, and still gives us the MX5.
Their first gen "6" was a looker then, the current 6 still is, and they are still moving their designs forward.
In fact, it's one of the only Japanese (aside from Lexus maybe) that actually look like they are designing something else than a fridge.

[daz4m]

That is a great looking car.

[ctallchris]

A better concept than mazda usually manage. I think the slight pout around the grill seems to have become the flavour of the decade now. It appears on a lot of concepts recently.

[vit4]

Thought it was a Jag at first glance Very similar, or is that just me?

[Chris71]

Do we reckon the RX8's successor will ditch the rotary? If they plan to build a practical, affordable RWD 2+2 coupe with a sensible engine I might even be tempted to part with some cash...

[daz4m]

Chris71 said:

Do we reckon the RX8's successor will ditch the rotary? If they plan to build a practical, affordable RWD 2+2 coupe with a sensible engine I might even be tempted to part with some cash...

Think about what the R stands for!!