It's one thing to be ugly. As Keith Richards, who knows of such things, once said, "You don't need a face to rock and roll." But it's quite another to be silly looking and that's all that Mazda's unfortunate blissed-out face had become in regrettable treatments such as the Mazdaspeed3.
The company has therefore created the Shinari concept car you see here to introduce its not-absurd new design direction. The Shinari is a four-door coupe, if you accept that such things can exist. Alternately, you could consider it a four-door sedan with a cramped back seat. Your call.
Anyway, Mazda's pentagon grille takes center stage in the new design and is, really quite attractive. Question: Should we call it a grille if it is supposed to appear to have no crossbars whatsoever? The thing looks angry which, as everyone knows, is the new happy. And because Mazda loves to name their design themes, the Shinari exemplifies the new Kodo look.
We're encouraged by the design themes of this concept, even if they are derivative of certain other Japanese car-maker, whose name will remain Infiniti.
Click the jump for more photos.
ed124c says:
07:35 AM, 08/31/10
By the time this thing gets watered down for production..........
But at does appear that Mazda has come to its senses, style-wise. And let's face it: How many different ways can you dice a front end without encroaching on some competitor's land?
throwback says:
07:45 AM, 08/31/10
So it seems the pwoers that be at Mazda agree with me. They hate the smiley face too. Good riddance!
o_or30_0 says:
07:51 AM, 08/31/10
Very Sexy... i hope a lot of the current design cues come from this car for the next generation of mazdas.... THe MS3 is not the most attractive but its i dont find it as repulsive as others
anythngbutgm says:
08:09 AM, 08/31/10
Oh wouldn't this be a nice precursor to the next generation RX-8...
gregnv says:
08:13 AM, 08/31/10
Beautiful. I sincerely hope they build this.
Reminds me a lot of the 2003 Chevy SS concept car:
http://www.seriouswheels.com/2000-2003/2003-Chevrolet-SS-Concept-Side.htm
http://www.seriouswheels.com/2000-2003/2003-Chevrolet-SS-Concept-Mountains.htm
dc325ix says:
08:21 AM, 08/31/10
looks like they ripped off the design from Fisker
j33p says:
08:48 AM, 08/31/10
NICE! Its has sort of a Ferrari feel to it... Lets see if it makes it to production. I personally would not buy a Mazda Speed. It looks like a freakin Pikachu... LOL
sugarlandtx says:
09:15 AM, 08/31/10
It is about time Mazda got rid of the stupid clown face on their cars. What were they thinking or it should be what were they smoking to come up with a design like that.
redgeminipa says:
09:16 AM, 08/31/10
Hello Fisker Karma!
exnevadan says:
09:46 AM, 08/31/10
nice Infiniti sedan concept
glad to see Mazda losing the grin, hope it crosses over to the 3's
gordancin says:
09:55 AM, 08/31/10
Build it build it build it!!!
I feel this way every time I come across these photos.
This is an elegant, sporting, practical and "mature" replacement for the 4 seat RX-8.
The "Kodo" theme has what's needed to replace the "overly styled" Nagare theme which, as we've seen when applied improperly a la' Mazda 5... has serious limitations.
This Shinari would make a great flagship sedan. If they can make the next Mazda 6 platform a flexible, strong, lightweight and adaptable (rwd/awd/fwd) platform.. able to utilize a 6 cyl version of Mazda's "Sky" engine... then hopefully we can anticipate some type of "MX-9" in future. While I've always loved the RX-8 concept... in execution it never really had a luxurious GT (or is that 4 door coupe?) presence to it. As a hatchback the Shinari would be extremely practical yet classy enough to bring Mazda real presence in the entry level luxury segment. While the Mazda 6 is a great car I don't feel people will quite accept it as a true aspirational vehicle just because of where it competes in the mid-size market.
The Shinari (MX-9) on the other hand, is a classy and sporting enough... just on appearances alone... to make it aspirational.
This would also give Mazda room in their line up to properly focus on a 2 seater RX-7/MX-5 platform.
If they bring the Shinari to market as a 4 door hatchback "coupe" ahead of the next Mazda 6 (on which it could be based... this could be a great "coup" for Mazda. Just imagine it!
Hope they can afford to go in this direction.
Admittedly, I'm only a person who likes good looking sporty yet practical vehicles but in a market where more and more people are purchasing vehicles as a "need" rather than a "want", doesn't it make sense to bring a (practicle) vehicle that people would "want" to market?
cjsg35 says:
10:04 AM, 08/31/10
Now that looks amazing... but sadly its really rare we see a production model look as good as the concept... if it could keep the same outside body style exactly how it is in the picture i'd love it... the inside i like exactly as it is but im sure that is the 1 thing that will see the biggest change
avargasg says:
10:28 AM, 08/31/10
I love the interior, but in the other hand, the outside, looks like a japanized jaguar XF, it's not that i don't like it, it's very nice, but i'm only asking for less simliarities between car design. I think ther's a lot of creativity out there and this sort of things souldn't happend.
Congrats Mazda for the effort to change that smilley face thow.
escalade2346 says:
12:00 PM, 08/31/10
looks like the Infiniti essence
octane77 says:
12:07 PM, 08/31/10
MX-9, or RX-9? It would leave room for the new RX-7 too...
hugox1978 says:
12:50 PM, 08/31/10
Well, yeah it does look a lot like Infiniti's Essence concept, but who cares?? if they incorporate most of the main design elements of this concept into their future models, then is a big WIN for me (us), and I would definitely consider getting myself another Mazda. On top of their new and improved design language they are also planning on going slightly upwards into the premium segment, which is also great, I always thought Mazda's had a lot of potential ot do this, since they already offer exceptional sporty handling, great realibility and above average styling, now all they need to do is offer more upscale features and I am sure all of us zoom-zoom fans will follow.
ocramidajzj says:
02:43 PM, 08/31/10
The back 3/4's reminds me of my Mz6 sGT. I can see a lot of that car in this design language. I'm so happy Mazda is moving toward a more premium car. The fact is that if they do it right they could really take advantage of the premium niche that many enthusiasts are looking for without the crazy price tag. Arguably they've been toying with such a market positon for a while. I'm thinking between Audi and VW market position.
scorp76 says:
03:03 PM, 08/31/10
Whatever, DP; nissan designers go to bed and DREAM they can design a concept that looks this good.
Anyway, good job Mazda. I never had qualms with any of your designs, but change is great.
smatson says:
03:41 PM, 08/31/10
Looks an awful lot like the Infiniti Essence...
ocramidajzj says:
05:48 PM, 08/31/10
Admittedly, I'm only a person who likes good looking sporty yet practical vehicles but in a market where more and more people are purchasing vehicles as a "need" rather than a "want", doesn't it make sense to bring a (practicle) vehicle that people would "want" to market?
I'm with you gordacini. It kill sme how many people simply buy a car as an appliance and nothing more. You'd think spending 30K would prompt people to want more fun for their money.
jscion says:
05:48 PM, 08/31/10
This is a very attractive design direction yet somewhat reminds me too much of Infiniti. Not sure that I find Mazda's current design direction ugly or flawed really. They still beat the competition with the exception of the 2 which looks like the all-new revamped Mazda 323....that's what they need to work on the most.
billt9 says:
12:38 AM, 09/ 1/10
Whoever can actually build it and sell it cheap.
Make it compete with a Mustang.
All these concepts and none on the road.
Definitely need more similar competitors, so that some will come to market.
ocramidajzj says:
07:31 AM, 09/ 1/10
Cost and manufacturability will undoubtedly play a part in what details make it into production. Read through the design history of the second gen Mz6 and you'll find a couple of points regarding how the designers gave manufacturing engineers headaches over the complexity of the front fenders and the expense of the chrome trim. Unfortunately points like this only reinforce why you pay hundereds of thousands of dollars for handmade exotics. :-(
Here's an excerpt from the article:
"Manufacturing and cost-analysis experts took issue with a few aspects of the MAZDA6’s exterior design. The polished chrome side-window trim and the highly detailed dual exhaust tips were quite expensive.
The hood-to-fender parting line and the juncture of the hood to the grille, front fascia, and front fender caused anxiety among manufacturing and quality personnel. Just as with the RX-8, the ambitiously sculpted front fenders could not be made with conventional stamping methods."
And here's a link to the full article:
http://www.carbodydesign.com/archive/2008/07/21-mazda6-design/
ocramidajzj says:
07:36 AM, 09/ 1/10
It is nice to know though (and one of the reasons I respect Mazda so much) that Mazda does try and push the envelope of what can be done in mass manufacturing, whereas the other Japanese manufacturers seem fine with simpler designs. I'm looking at you Toyota.
gordancin says:
12:49 PM, 09/ 1/10
ocramidajzj, thanks for your insightful comments regarding this new concept. Like you say, that market position "between Audi and VW market position" or somewhere around the Acura/Volvo/Audi's place in the market definitely makes sense.
I see absolutely no reason why Mazda can't cover this entry level luxury place with the Shinari. They're no slouches when it comes to engineering ideas and with shared parts and proper planning they can do this. Hyundai/Kia may have the advantage of huge finances and human resources to draw on... but Mazda has carefully developed their "Zoom Zoom" image for decades.
I'm old enough to remember the surprising sensation of flying down Toronto's Don Valley Parkway in the mid to late 70's in a friend's RX-3s. THAT is when I realized their potential!
(Flying past assorted Trans-Am/Camaros, Alfa Romeos, Datsuns and others the looks on the various drivers' faces was priceless... ;) )
I also recall that before the Can(adian) Jam(aican) Motorsports team started racing Subarus in various Canadian/North American rally championships... they were a mainly MAZDA operation.
It would be a shame to see Mazda not realize it's potential. While they are in this business to make money, they've always known how important it is to give drivers... a driver's vehicle. I sincerely hope they can survive without losing their roots...
redrage says:
02:15 PM, 09/ 1/10
Fisker, Tesla, Infiniti, Jaguar, Maserati, etc. all have their interpretation of this classic form and therefore similarities in appearance cannot be avoided. The devil is in the details and the proportions, and boy this is one gorgeous concept from Mazda that actually looks production-ready as opposed to outlandishly far-out. They adapted this form perfectly to a four-seat car without it looking awkward like Porsche's Panamera. I checked out pics of all the other cars in contention, and even though they look that they may all be "related" if they were people, the image or aura each one projects is distinct. However, I find the Shinari to have the most eye-pleasing proportions and have the most coherent juxtaposition of lines and curves. The well thought out surfaces of the sheet metal also make the car stand out from its surroundings even though the photos weren't shot in a studio setting with special lighting and a controlled reflecting background. Now if only Mazda could translate this to production without ruining the proportions like they did with the "enlarged" and slow-selling Mazda6 (the Euro and JDM version is beautiful). I'd also say keep the headlights and taillights as they are. They are the windows to the "soul" of this machine and IMO are integral to the look of this concept.
redrage says:
02:19 PM, 09/ 1/10
Oops, these are studio shots. The pics I was referring to are on other car websites.
ocramidajzj says:
05:42 PM, 09/ 1/10
redrage
I would have to disagree with you regarding the new Mazda6. Albeit, color and option level does make a difference to an individual eye, but I think my fully optioned sGT in black with the 18's looks great from most angles and not "enlarged". Proportions are great as is the details they imbued in the sheetmetal.
Of course beauty is always in the eye of the beholder, but I see Shinari in the newer 6 and it really makes it an outstanding looking car. By comparison I think the lines of the Euro and JDM versions are a bit too vanilla. The front RX-8 Fenders for instance are much more dramatic on the American version- which I like a lot, especially head-on.
redrage says:
12:01 PM, 09/ 2/10
ocramida, the current Amer. 6 is an excellent car and beautiful to behold... from up close. I did shop for one. However I prefer the grill, headlamp and taillight treatment of the Euro 6. I like the face of the Euro version better; the domestic version's looks "widened", making the headlamps look smallish and set a tad too far apart and at a weird angle from some viewpoints. I think the 1st gen stands out better on the road; they still make me take notice and be distinguished from half a mile away and at night the taillights announce Mazda6. Can't wait to see the 2011 revision although I'm more likely to wait it out before buying my 4th Mazda when the next gens with all new powerplants come rolling along. I'm already 2 years overdue, but am not totally convinced with any of their offerings for various reasons including the grin. CX7 comes close but don't like the engines. Miller cycle 3.0 would be my dream. But wait, here comes Shinari... wow!
smallfield says:
05:35 PM, 09/ 3/10
very nice