Tokyo International Motor Show 2003 Overview: Mazda

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Mazda 'Ibuki' concept

The Mazda Ibuki concept clearly showcases Mazda's current efforts in both design and technology as the development team works to further refine the company's famous lightweight, open-top sports car. The Ibuki concept (the name comes from a Japanese word that refers to "breathing new energy into" and "adding vigor") reaches back to its 1989 origins in is simple and clean design and hints towards one possible approach for a future Roadster/MX-5 model.

Powered by a MZR 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine, the Ibuki concept successfully realizes a super front-midship layout (as also found in the Mazda RX-8)
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that places all major components within the wheelbase.

Compared with the layout in the current Mazda Roadster/MX-5, the engine is positioned approximately 400mm further to the rear, while the air conditioner unit is located behind the seats. Thanks to the super front-midship layout, yaw inertia moment has been greatly reduced, enhancing further the level of pure, fun drivability-oneness between car and driver-that has been central to the Roadster's ongoing success.

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Mazda 'Kusabi' concept

Mazda Kusabi, which was first shown at the 2003 Frankfurt auto show, is based on the concept of a new "everyday sports sub-compact" offering unique values from its conventional counterparts. A small, four-seat, two-door coupe, the Kusabi is compact, economical and ecologically sound. The design is purposefully fun and almost aggressive for the segment. It is low and wide, with short front and rear overhangs. The highlight is the flat roof and overall wedge-shape that is the inspiration for the name - kusabi, means wedge in Japanese.

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The concept features innovative packaging solutions such as the Twin-Lift Hatchback design that features dual hatches with two opening modes: a longitudinal hinge in the center of the roof allows individual opening of the hatches from either side of the car, or they can be opened together, from the rear, in the conventional hatchback manner.

Employing the 1.3-liter supercharged MZR engine equipped with an idle-stop mechanism, the Kusabi concept presents Mazda's proposals in terms of practicality, driving performance and environment- friendly features.
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Mazda 'Washu' concept

First shown at the 2003 North American International Auto Show, the Mazda Washu concept (the name comes from the Japanese word for "eagle's wing) was developed as a calculated experiment into how customers interact with a vehicle's interior space. Low, sleek and well proportioned, Mazda's six-seat concept also works to tear down the barriers that traditionally separate sports cars and family cars. Just as the all-new Mazda RX-8 is a unique approach to the four-seat performance car, the new concept is an innovative approach to a six-seat configuration
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The Washu's interior incorporates concepts and forms found in traditional Japanese architecture, giving the cabin comfort and flexibility. In addition, innovative "airplane doors" and a deployable instrument panel equipped with a retractable steer-by-wire steering wheel greatly enhance ease of entry and exit. Taken together, these unique measures allow Mazda Washu to offer values not found in today's multi-purpose vehicles.

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Mazda Roadster Turbo concept

The Roadster Turbo concept is a new twist on Mazda's best-selling sports car that has been developed as a limited-edition model to give customers a pure feeling of "oneness between car and driver" with additional mid-range performance. The turbochargerd1.8-liter DOHC engine delivers additional power and increased torque to improve acceleration, particularly in speeds from 40 to 80 kph.
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The turbocharged engine has been tuned to retain the Roadsters smooth and linear power delivery, with a flat torque curve that offers consistent and strong torque from 2500 to 5500 rpm. Mazda Roadster Turbo also features enhanced drivetrain components including a taller final-drive ratio (now 4.100, up from 3.910) and an upgraded limited-slip differential. The Roadster Turbo's suspension has been upgraded with larger-diameter anti-roll bars, larger tires, stiffer dampers and springs rates 20 percent firmer than normally aspirated models, helping reduce pitch and roll. Overall, the Turbo's body has been lowered by 10 mm compared to the normal Roadsters.