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Back in June Mazda announced the imminent replacement of the Nagare design language. Now the Japanese carmaker has presented the Shinari Concept, a four door sedan that introduces the new formal language: KODO – Soul of Motion.
Like the Nagare philosophy, the new approach is based on the concept of ‘motion’, mixed with the dynamism and sportiness ideas introduced with the launch of the Zoom-Zoom brand message.
The Mazda Shinari has four doors and four seat, and an exterior that combines the dimensions of a large sedan with the proportions and dynamism of a coupé.
The design is characterized by a front end with sharp edges and a complex interplay of surfaces combined with a profile which features a more clean look, with flowing lines, a long hood and pronounced shoulders.
In the side view it is possible to find some styling cues similar to those of models such as Tesla Model S and the Fisker Karma.
The interior has a driver oriented cockpit and surfaces defined by flowing lines.
The four individual bucket seats are upholstered in white leather, which creates a strong contrast with the dark surfaces of the dashboard and door panels.
According to Mazda, some of the design elements introduced by the Shinari Concept will be adopted on the fture production models.
From the official Press Release:
The
Mazda Shinari is a 4-door, 4-seat, sports coupe and a pure expression of the new design theme, ‘KODO – Soul of Motion’, in its idealized form.
Mazda SHINARI showcases several new design elements that will carry forward into production.
The Japanese word shinari describes the powerful yet supple appearance of great resilient force when objects of high tensile strength, such as steel or bamboo, are twisted or bent.
It also refers to the appearance of a person or animal as it flexes its body in preparation for a fast movement, and it is these images that form the basis for the name of this concept car.
With images of strength flowing across every panel and part, the Mazda SHINARI looks ready to leap at any second.
This form incorporates the expression of a strong backbone running through the body, the sudden release of pent-up energy, and the interplay of beautiful, supple movements.
The distinctive front fenders represent the further evolution of the prominent fenders introduced on the RX-8. They highlight the dynamic movement expressed in the sides of Shinari, in a style that is both sporty and elegant.
Together with the further three-dimensional sculpting of the front grille, the design proudly emphasizes the Mazda lineage.
There is a powerful line of movement originating at the grille and continuing through the bonnet, fender, front lamp modules and bumper.
Finally, an aluminum floating bar linking the grille with the headlights enhances the three-dimensional expression of speed.
In the interior, Mazda Design has created the ‘ultimate athletic space’ focused on linking ergonomics with basic mechanical functions.
We have designed the optimum space for both the driver cockpit, to enable the driver to focus on the task of driving, as well as the passenger environment, offering a sense of openness.
In this model, Mazda offers new ideas for the human-machine interface in cockpit design, enabling the driver to switch at will between three modes: Business, Pleasure and Sport, to enjoy driving in line with the situation at the time.
About the KODO Design Language
Ikuo Maeda, the head of Mazda’s Design Division, explains the new design theme in this way: "In our work to further evolve the expression of motion, Mazda Design has focused on the strength, beauty and tension found in the instantaneous movement seen in animals.
"This motion that is so full of vitality that it stirs the emotions of those who see it.
"We have named it ‘KODO – Soul of Motion’, and our aim is to express movement with forceful vitality and speed as the design theme for Mazda’s upcoming models."
Maeda continues, "Mazda’s four design studios located in Japan (Hiroshima and Yokohama), Europe (Frankfurt, Germany), and North America (Irvine, California) are currently combining to take up the challenge to achieve a breakthrough in the expression of motion in car design, and incorporate this expression into our future products."
(Source: Hyundai)
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