Updated: To readers dismayed by our re-reporting on a concept car that made its global at the 2008 Paris Auto Show, note that the 6-speed "Sky-Drive" transmission used on this "car" is new to the 2009 Tokyo show. Apologies for the lack of clarification in the original posting.
Mazda has released photos and information on the Kiyora concept it will show at next month's Tokyo Auto Show. It reminds us a bit of the Honda CR-Z, but less attractive. At least the car looks happy wearing Mazda's corporate saccharin-sweet smile.
Most likely, this is a design study for the next-generation Mazda 2, as Mazda says the Kiyora has the company's 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine, which is the base engine for the Japan-spec Mazda 2/Demio. It's also an engineering study, though. The Mazda Kiyora is apparently 220 pounds lighter than a three-door Mazda 2. That's a big deal for a subcompact.
The weight savings, along with a new six-speed automatic tranmission called Sky-Drive (also making its world premiere in Tokyo), yields a considerable improvement in fuel economy. Mazda claims 32 km/liter on the Japanese test cycle, which works out to over 75 mpg, which is not at all relevant to anything EPA-related.
Apparently, the transmission's lockup clutch works faster than on the company's current automatics -- improving mileage and that all-important sensation of responsiveness.
More photos after the jump.
thejohnp says:
08:53 PM, 09/28/09
I guess Nissan swiped the Leaf name before Mazda could get to it for this prototype.
94_gsr_cpe says:
04:23 AM, 09/29/09
75 mpg from a naturally aspirated 4 cylinder. I wonder what numbers we could really expect from the EPA. Keep it up Mazda!
adb4 says:
05:10 AM, 09/29/09
Dear Straightline,
Welcome to the auto industry! Good to see a fresh face on the scene. Since you're new, you missed the Kiyora's debut in Paris last October...
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/02/paris-2008-mazda-kiyora-concept/
dougtheeng says:
05:59 AM, 09/29/09
kill the smile! do it now!
rsrtampaa3 says:
07:04 AM, 09/29/09
Someone please tell Mazda to fire its designers. They are going down hill fast. This is hideous.
estreka says:
09:42 AM, 09/29/09
Mazda, go back to the Furai and start again.
firstwagon says:
05:24 PM, 09/29/09
Looks like a Mazda MX-3 would look like if I were into mind altering drugs.
dnoodles says:
12:08 PM, 09/30/09
this is a much better interpretation of the "sailor moon o-face" they have adopted, but the rest of the car resembles a gaping vagina.
i call it "hatchback" by georgia o'keefe.
dnoodles says:
12:10 PM, 09/30/09
this is a much better interpretation of the "sailor moon o-face" they have adopted, but the rest of the car resembles a gaping vagina.
i call it "hatchback" by georgia o'keefe.