2017 Tokyo Motor Show: Mazda Shows Two Stunning New Concepts [News]

Mazda headlined its appearance at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show with two concepts: The Vision Coupe and the Kai Concept.

The evolution of Mazda’s Kodo design language is prevalent at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. On one hand, there’s the new Vision Coupe concept – a sweeping illustration of Mazda’s future. On the other, there’s the Kai concept, a bold hatchback design based a little closer to reality. Both cars feature muscular, angular front ends with flowing lines, representing an upmarket shift in Mazda’s aesthetic design. Here are the highlights on each of the concepts from this year’s show:

The Vision Coupe Concept

Following the RX-Vision concept a couple years ago, the Vision Coupe features two major differences. This concept isn’t quite as outlandish as that was, and this car likely won’t have a rotary engine. Despite that, the car is still “want-one” beautiful, and the nice materials all around shows Mazda’s intentions. “The Vision Coupe represents Mazda’s design vision for next-generation models,” says a Mazda press release. That means the Vision Coupe – with its “one motion form that exudes a sense of speed” will likely stick to paper. Unfortunately, the “Vision” is just that, a concept and not necessarily an RX-8 replacement.

The Kai Concept

Mazda’s Kai concept, as opposed to the Vision Coupe, is going into production. It may lose a few of its creases and gain some actual door mirrors in the process, but it looks great nonetheless. Like the Vision Coupe, the Kai concept features handsome, aggressive lines and flowing curves. Unlike the Vision, this concept is a hatchback. There are two main considerations to take away from Mazda’s next evolution of this Kodo hatchback. This will, in all likelihood, be the next generation of the brand’s most popular model: the Mazda 3.

What makes that interesting news is that the new car will house Mazda’s SkyActiv-X gasoline engines. This engine is the holy grail of Mazda’s internal combustion strategy, featuring HCCI (Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition) technology. The engine more or less combines the best of both gas and diesel engines to maximize fuel efficiency. It uses compression to ignite fuel under low engine loads, and uses spark plugs at certain points in the rev range where compression ignition isn’t as efficient.

Mazda will debut its SkyActiv-X engine in the new Mazda 3 in 2019. Reports say the engine may be supercharged. Therefore, the new powerplant will have a 10-30% torque advantage over the current SkyActiv range. On top of that, the engine will also be 20-30% more fuel efficient than current SkyActivs, and 35-45% more efficient than the MZR engines of yesteryear.

 

Stay tuned to The Fast Lane Car for more coverage of the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. Also be sure to check back for more daily news, views, and reviews on your favorite models!