Mazda Shinari concept for AIMS

Mazda jumps aboard the four-door "coupe" bandwagon with wild new concept car
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Melbourne's 2011 Australian International Motor Show in July will be the venue for our first sighting of Mazda's take on the four-door coupe theme with its new SHINARI concept car.

Presumably a pointer to the next-generation Mazda6, the SHINARI concept is described as a "four-door, four-seater sports coupe" and is the work of the company's new global design director Ikuo Maeda. Mazda sees it as a "perfect expression of Mazda's KODO-Soul of Motion design theme."

The low-slung body presents similar themes to those seen in Volkswagen's Passat CC and, at the upper end, the Mercedes-Benz CLS sedan that more or less started the whole four-door coupe trend.

Mazda is not shy about describing the SHINARI's design influences. Maeda was "inspired by an image of a predator ready to pounce," with every element "designed to suggest the presence of pent up energy propelling the car forward, giving the feeling that SHINARI is a vehicle in perpetual motion.

"The combination of a rearward tapering A-pillar, distinctive front fenders and dynamic body surfaces which appear as if they are constantly transforming make SHINARI look as though it is ready to leap at any second."

The front end with its three dimensional grille distinguishes the car as a Mazda although the dramatic sculpting under the grille itself would be unlikely to make it into a production version.

No details of the car's running gear are available, but it would be reasonable to expect it will feature the company's next-generation engine design including the new high-compression SKYACTIV-G petrol and diesel developments that take the company to the next level in terms of efficiency, fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.

The interior, according to Mazda's press release, is designed to "create a completely driver-oriented experience. The use of machined aluminium, soft natural leather and dedicated driving ergonomics ensure that the interior is just as striking as the exterior view. "

Naturally, if the SHINARI concept does indeed morph into the next Mazda6, the show car's four-seat aspect would be ditched.

Mazda Australia MD Doug Dickson is looking forward to seeing the car - which has so far been seen in Shanghai, Los Angeles and Geneva - on the company's stand in Melbourne.

"This is a concept that truly captures KODO design and provides an insight into the future direction for Mazda design. It is really exciting to have SHINARI in Australia for the first time and to give the Australian public the opportunity to see this truly stunning vehicle up close and in the metal" he said. 

The 2011 Australian International Motor Show opens in Melbourne on July 1 and closes on July 10.

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