Mazda Shinari – Could this concept actually make it to completion?

Mazda have just unveiled a new concept car in Milan, almost five weeks ahead of its expected showing at the Paris Motor show.

The curvaceous “Shinari” concept car has been touted by Mazda chiefs as direct competition to such marque brands as BMW and Audi, with some reporters already battling over whether it is a four-door car, and others as a five-door hatchback.

“We want to play in the same group as BMW and Audi,” Derek Jenkins, Mazda NA director of design was quoted as saying by Autonews. “On fit and finish we want the same level of quality.”

Mazda is using the word “Kodo”, as their muse for future designs and direction. “Kodo” translates as “soul of motion”, and now replaces Mazda’s former design ethos following the spirituality of “Nagare”, which translates to “flow.”

Mazda executives declined to say when the new design would appear on production vehicles. However, “this design will lead to the next generation of Mazda design and will lead to other elements,” said Ikuo Maeda, general manager of Mazda Motor Corp.’s design division, at a press event near Milan.

The aggressive front snout differentiates it from the almost Jaguar like side profile, however one can see references to the RX8 from the side.

The cockpit houses sumptuous leather sports seats, an ergonomic Multimedia interface similar to BMW’s iDrive, a well designed, driver focused display console, and an odd little side pod that houses more information. This pod, which sits on the dash at the right of the steering wheel (in a left hand drive), almost looks like a futuristic, side mirror shaped sat nav unit.

The front end view is relatively unique, with recessed headlights and a long sloping bonnet, however, it has to be said the the rear clusters are vaguely similar to Audi’s current A4 and A6 range.

Wait with baited breath for our review of the test drive if this car is made!

Source: Automotive News Europe and Autoblog.nl

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