Mazda’s lineup of cars is one of the most consistent in terms of driving feel and, just as importantly from a marketing standpoint, design. Now that design language is about to be ramped up with a new design theme called “Soul of Motion.”
The new theme is embodied by the company’s new concept car, Shinari. Shinari is a four-door “sports coupe” that features a low-slung, beautifully-proportioned silhouette. The car carries the new Mazda corporate grille. There are few blatantly decorative details on the Shinari; everything is purposefully faired into the body. A metal strip that starts from the headlights and then underlines the new grille looks like a brilliant touch. Mazda’s trademark cycle front fenders are very much present.
The cockpit has a futuristic interface that will “enable the driver to switch at will between three modes: Business, Pleasure and Sport.”
“Shinari” means a powerful yet supple appearance, as can be found in bamboo or Hattori Hanzo’s finest. It also refers to the appearance of preparing for fast motion, such as in an animal flexing its body.
Ikuo Maeda, Mazda’s design boss, explains: “”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.”
Previous concept cars like the Nagare, as well as new models like Mazda5, have followed a “motion inspired by nature” theme, with decidedly successful results. We look forward to seeing elements of Kodo in upcoming Mazda products—perhaps the first to carry it will be an all-new 3.
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