Mazda Kazamai Concept Revealed
Set for Moscow Unveiling

We first caught wind that Mazda were preparing a new Nagare design language inspired Concept last month when they revealed three intitial teaser sketches. It is still over a month until the full debut commences, but the Japanese automaker has wasted little time by releasing the first tell-all images and details of the vehicle which will be dubbed “Kazamai”.

The Japanese name translates to “swirling crosswinds” which Mazda use to express the powerful yet nimble image of a stylish and compact crossover and it further enhances speculation that a new small SUV is likely to be added to the Mazda portfolio in the coming years.

We doubt you are gonna see a sportier looking SUV than the new Kazamai Concept, the Nagare design language flows through with its five-point grille, 22 inch wheels and aerodynamic profile, but putting the beautiful exterior design to the side for a moment we can tell you the mechanics of the vehicle have not been ignored.

The powertrain consists of a next-generation direct injection engine and a newly-developed transmission which passes power to all wheels via its four-wheel drive system. The driving dynamics have been developed to create a fun-to-drive vehicle and Mazda states that if the model makes it to production form, we can expect frugal fuel consumption and greatly reduced CO2 emissions.

Stay tuned on WCF for further details when they are released just before the model's debut on August 26th.

[Source: WCF]

Amazing job as usual.

For Christ's sake! What is this?

It looks like fractal (or whatever it is called)
And those rear lights!

LOL ...why is everyone so aggressive today .......its like I'm reading my own posts!

Mazda has a string of very impressive and original looking concept cars, now it is time for them to use these design themes in their production cars. Like BMW, and possibly Ford Europe, Mazda has developed a strong and unique design language.

^^^^^I agree, they do....but this isn't one of them!

M

Οne word....

H O R I B L E

Wow, I must say, I agree with Monster's assessment - I am wondering if they let a few Manga artists loose on this one ... but, I will say, it is a breath of fresh air - nice to see *any* manufacturer thinking outside the box that most cars resemble.

OK, I may not buy it, but I applaud it's creation ...

I think there is a high possibility that the designers were inspired by those jap Manga. The designers for the Nissan GTR have openly admitted to taking inspiration from the manga "Gundam". This is good because the jap designers are looking within their own culture for ideas instead of following what the Europeans are doing.

Mazda Kazamai Concept Unveiled at Moscow Motor Show

Yesterday at the Moscow Motor Show, Mazda unveiled its latest concept – the Kazamai Crossover. It is the result of Mazda's Nagare design language and Sustainable Zoom-Zoom projects blended into one model and it previews a model Mazda intends to produce in the not too distant future – possibly the next generation CX-7.

Kazamai means “swirling crosswinds” in Japanese and it powerfully expresses the character of the vehicle, it is slightly larger than the current Mazda3 with a width of 1,930 mm and a length of 4,520 mm which not only gives it ample room for a small SUV but tells us Mazda are planning to use the same platform for both vehicles in the future.

The exterior has been designed to be both lightweight and aerodynamic, the latter being achieved through a flat floor panel, a rear diffuser, and a low roof line. The aim is to make the Kazamai’s aerodynamics at least 10% better than other vehicles in its class.

Engineers are currently developing a 2.0-litre direct-injection petrol engine which Mazda state will suit perfectly for the Kazamai, it will feature Direct Injection Spark Ignition (DISI) and offer a 30% improvement on fuel economy. The power unit will be mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that is also under development and the power will be passed to all four wheels via its four-wheel-drive system.

Why Moscow you may ask? Russia is only just behind Germany as Europe's biggest market and considering it is also the fastest growing market it is likely to move into first place by next year – possibly even this year. The answer is further demonstrated by the fact Mazda's sales have increased from 8,565 units in 2004 to over 50,000, that's an increase of 500%. Mark our words when we say the Moscow will soon host one of the biggest autoshows in the world.

Tons of pictures @ WCF here...