mazda kabura

[rv]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FUTURE CONCEPTS

Mazda Kabura
February 05, 2006. 6:00 PM Author: Chips Yap






"Kabura” is a Japanese term taken from “KABURA-ya”, an arrow that makes a howling sound when fired and was historically used to signal the start of a battle. The “first arrow into battle” depicts Mazda’s spirit of pursuing unique and exciting ventures – a well known example being the rotary engine in the 1970s. At this year’s North American International Auto Show, Mazda presented a design concept called the Kabura that is said ‘to venture beyond the compact sports coupe norm to explore several fresh ideas that could appear in future production models’.

The Kabura is not only the first Mazda compact coupe for the 21st century but also the first project guided by Mazda North American Operations’ (MNAO) Director of Design, Franz von Holzhausen. The 37-year-old von Holzhausen studied industrial design at Syracuse University and graduated from the prestigious Art Center College of Design in California.

"With the Kabura, we set out to use innovative design to rekindle the passion for driving,” noted von Holzhausen. “Our intention is to rouse the segment with some ‘intravenous creativity’. While we have no plans at the moment to build a production version of Kabura, it is not a complete flight of fancy. It embodies several innovations Mazda could implement when a compact sports coupe, steeped in Zoom-Zoom, is ready for production."

According to a recent survey performed by a major research organization, Mazda’s new-car customers are the second youngest in North America , at only 41 years of age . Generation-Y buyers are several steps ahead of the latest trends and constantly on the lookout for affordable possessions that satisfy their hunger for stylish, insightful and spirited designs. One of the Kabura’s roles therefore is exposing a likely future design direction to today’s demanding customers.

Power is supplied to rear wheels by a 2.0-litre version of Mazda’s MZR DOHC 16-valve engine, reaching the tarmac through 245/35R19 Bridgestone Potenza front tyres and 245/35R20 rear tyres. While this concept has been constructed over several MX-5 chassis components, the basic dimensions fall between Mazda’s MX-5 and RX-8. Were the Kabura design study to achieve production status, it would likely be a stand-alone product rather than an extension of any existing model line.

While the Kabura’s profile is reminiscent of classic coupes, the windscreen and forward portion of the roof are integrated into one seamless glass surface that extends from the cowl to the B-pillar. Admitting extra light enhances the interior’s feeling of airy space. Overhead portions of the glass have adjustable tinting so that the driver can twist a knob on bright days to change the roof’s opacity, as desired, from clear to completely opaque.

Behind its B-pillar is a two-piece glass hatch. The uppermost glass panel normally lies flush. When pivoted-up by an electric motor, the way ailerons rise out of an airplane wing, this panel serves three purposes: it acts as a roof spoiler, it vents air from the interior and it greatly augments the rear passengers’ headroom. In addition, a photovoltaic solar cell in the panel helps to control ambient temperature as well as recharge the battery. The larger glass hatch panel has side-mounted hinges to provide ready access to a spacious cargo compartment.

"While examining the habits and tastes of our youthful customers, we found that the majority have a need to carry one or at most two passengers in comfort, while a very small percentage actually use the fourth seat on limited occasions," von Holzhausen revealed, noting the level of research and planning that goes into the creation of a major automaker’s concept vehicle. "Clearly, the standard 2+2 compact coupe configuration with restricted rear access and limited seating space doesn’t work in this context, so we created a 3+1 layout that resolves those shortcomings".

A standard left-side door provides access to the driver’s cockpit and the rear jump-seat. The right side is a wholly different and purposely asymmetrical arrangement. Removing the glovebox and minimizing the instrument panel allowed designers to shift the front passenger 150 mm ahead of the driver’s seating position. In turn, the second passenger, sitting in tandem behind the right-front passenger, enjoys approximately the same leg, shoulder, and headroom.

Developed on the RX-Evolv and RX-01 showcars, Mazda designers invented the rear-hinged freestyle doors to improve the RX-8’s rear-seat access. To maintain a sleek roofline while offering rear access that’s vastly superior to what’s available in today’s compact coupes, von Holzhausen’s team designed Kabura with an extra right-side door. After the front door is opened, touching a button slides the bonus door straight back and out of the way. Instead of swinging on hinges as in the Mazda RX-8, this additional door glides neatly into a cavity notched into the rear-quarter panel area.

The Kabura's interior is produced from regenerated leather substrate. Itself produced from 100% post-industrial waste - in this case, much of the waste was material recovered from the manufacturing of Nike shoes. The material can be dyed and printed in any color or design and appears in Kabura as a technical yet inviting material.

KABURA DIMENSIONS
Length : 4050 mm
Width : 1780 mm
Height : 1280 mm
Wheelbase : 2550 mm




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What do you think of the Kabura? Express your opinion in the MTM Forum



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Motor Trader: Contact Us | Terms of Use | Privacy Statement
Auto Trader International: UK | Italy | Holland | Norway | Ireland
© 2004 MTM Publications Sdn. Bhd.

[badkuk]

hmmm....parang RX-8 ung body

[niky]

It's much shorter. We were debating on another forum whether this would have an NA or Turbo inline-4 or a Rotary. It would be great if it came with either.

Heck, it would be great if they actually made it in the first place.

[wilcats]

Wow... mukang RX-8 ahh