WHILE autonomous driving and electric-powered vehicles were prevalent buzzwords around the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show (TMS 2017), Mazda further re-emphasized their dedication to the Jinba-ittaior “car and driver as one” philosophy by introducing key concepts and technologies that are specifically designed to enhance driving enjoyment and excitement.

Powering Mazda’s next-generation lineup is Mazda’s new engine dubbed Skyactiv-X, a new internal combustion engine design that is poised to be the world’s first commercial gasoline engine to use compression ignition. Thanks to Mazda’s proprietary Spark Controlled Compression Ignition (SPCCI) method, the Skyactiv-X engine offers the best of both petrol and diesel worlds. Skyactiv-X features 10-30 percent increased torque response, as well as a 20-30 percent improvement in fuel economy.

Mazda’s development of their new Skyactiv vehicle architecture is focused mainly on the human body and how understanding human characteristics leads to a vehicle that offers superior comfort and balance. From redesigned seats that keep the pelvis upright to maintain the body’s natural “S” curve, to a chassis structure with each part interacting to smoothly control energy transfer to the sprung mass, Mazda is meticulously redesigning their platform to ensure that the car is an extension of your body when turning, braking, and driving straight, while improving on NVH levels and vibration damping.

Having previously revealed their revolutionary Skyactiv-X engine to the world several months ago, Mazda has announced the next-generation body that will carry their next-generation engine: the Kai Concept compact hatchback. As the word Kai means ‘pioneer’ or ‘spearhead’, it’s quite appropriate that the concept serves as the first vehicle to house Mazda’s new engine, while giving us a glimpse as to how the next-generation Mazda3 hatchback may look in the near future. Featuring an evolved Kodo – Soul of Motion design philosophy, the Kai Concept follows a “less is more” approach by eliminating unessential elements, relying instead on the play of finely controlled transitions between light and shadows in the resulting blank spaces. The body does away with character lines to present the exterior as a single solid mass. The minimalist approach is reflected on the interior as well, with open spaces between the instrument panel, door trim and center console. The form-fitting seats and raised center island give the driver a feeling of being ensconced, which helps increase the sense of connection to the car.

Two years ago, Mazda revealed the striking RX Vision concept, serving as a template for the sportscar end of the design spectrum that highlights the sleek, sexy, sporty book end of Mazda’s Kodo design language. The Mazda Vision Coupe represents the other book end, emphasizing elegance, sophistication, and class. While these two pillars of design sit at opposite ends of Mazda’s design philosophy, they seamlessly encompass the totality of Mazda’s Kodo aesthetic.The Mazda Vision Coupe draws much from Japanese aesthetic sensibilities, once again making use of minimalist design cues. The four-door sedan features a long hood, leading up to powerful shoulders and scalloped body sides that utilize light and shadows to impart a sense of dynamism. Mazda calls this a ‘one motion form’, and while other manufacturers cram as many design elements as they can into their next-generation cars, Mazda’s decision to go the opposite way is ultimately refreshing and has produced a striking result.

The Vision Coupe’s interior continues to carry the minimalist theme, with luxurious accents on the seats, door trim and center dash. For the interior, Mazda designers applied the Japanese architectural concept of ‘ma’, using space to create atmosphere. The space between the components creates a tidy and uncluttered experience for the driver, enhanced further by a screen that remains hidden until the driver touches the center console.

Mazda has decided to take the road less-travelled, whether by countering electric and fuel-cell vehicles with a new internal combustion engine, or countering angular over-designed cars with concepts that hardly feature any character lines at all. It’s a statement that Mazda continues to stand firm on their belief that cars are meant to be driven and enjoyed, fueling their drivers with excitement and passion. — Agencies