Mazda TAKERI at Tokyo Show

Mazda TAKERI makes its world debut at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show. This concept car is the crystallisation of the new ‘KODO — Soul of Motion’ design theme and breakthrough SKYACTIV Technology, showing the future direction of Mazda’s new-generation mid-sized saloon. So to put it briefly, this car is the new Mazda6, the current gen of which has just got axed. The car is equipped with the new SKYACTIV-D diesel engine, Mazda’s i-stop idling stop system, and a unique regenerative braking system, ‘i-ELOOP’, developed in pursuit of ultimate energy efficiency. Together, these technologies achieve astonishing improvements in fuel efficiency and driving performance. The new technologies put the car in a new level of sophistication and gives it the edge over the rivals. Unless they come up with something similar of course! Mazda press release: Exterior design Building on the styling of the previous concept model, the Mazda SHINARI, Mazda focused on making TAKERI’s exterior design even more arresting by visually capturing a sense of coiled animal power – stored and ready to explode into rapid motion – and fitting it around the layout and packaging of a mid-sized saloon car. The powerful overhanging front bumper line, sculpted over the wheels, conjures up the image of a cheetah’s shoulder as it uses its front paws to grip the ground and quickly change direction. The rear bumper line is the powerful inflection of the hip as the cheetah kicks off to run. Building from these images and melding the rhythms of the differing front and rear shapes, the designers were able to clearly express a lean, muscular body and the sense of running free. In addition, the powerful axis that runs the full length of the vehicle evokes an image of the car’s spine, visually embodying a confident, masculine power as well as a sense of speed. Mazda TAKERI stresses aerodynamic performance, adopting the features common to all new-generation Mazda cars equipped with SKYACTIV Technology. Superior aerodynamic performance was achieved by optimally tuning the airflow over the upper body and efficiently managing the airflow beneath the car with the underfloor design. Front view The deeply chiseled front view has the ‘signature wings’ that tell you immediately this is a new-generation Mazda. The entire front end has the solidity and confidence appropriate for a mid-sized saloon. Headlamps are set deep into the wings in sculpted mountings, suggesting a glint in the eye. Side view While providing comfortable space for four adults, the cabin is positioned further back to express dynamic proportions, giving a superb balance between the stylistic beauty of a saloon, an emotionally appealing elegance, and an unparalleled expression of power that lets you intuitively feel the joy of driving. Rear view Similar to the front, the rear view is deeply chiseled. The lines from the side and the shape of the boot create a fine balance between a sense of speed and a sense of stability. Body colour A newly developed red paint further accentuates the sculptured shapes and delicate inflections of KODO design, from highlights to shaded areas, further enhancing the driver’s expectations. • Interior design Taking the thinking behind Mazda SHINARI as a starting point, TAKERI’s interior is a high-level balance of the sense of speed and the functionality of the driver-car interface. Of course, materials used and the overall comfort and ambience of the cabin are appropriate for Mazda’s top-of-the-range saloon. The flowing lines from the upper section of the instrument panel to the door trim give a sense of speed and pulse-raising dynamism that is KODO design at its finest. The lower section of the instrument panel forms a strong horizontal line and thick trim, which looks like a part of the frame, runs horizontally from the passenger side to the centre panel. The result is a sense of stability suited to a saloon, differing markedly from the SHINARI four-door sports coupe’s interior. Further, the instrument panel fascia has a metal base with a clear coating. When struck by light, the base naturally has a metallic sheen, displaying a sense of depth and quality befitting a saloon.