Mazda To Debut New Crossover and Concepts at Detroit

Three Concepts and a Production Crossover Show Mazda

Mazda has just announced that it will be bringing several never-before seen vehicles to crown its display at the 2006 North American International Auto Show which takes place this coming January. Aside from showing updates to the Mazda6 and the all-new MX-5 roadster, it will be bringing a pair of economy-sized concepts and a unique design study. Mazda will also be debuting its all-new CX-7 crossover utility vehicle.

The Kabura Concept is the third and final vehicle in Mazdas global design trilogy. This three-part series is a showcase of the many cultural influences that surround each of its design studios. Named after the Japanese term used for the first arrow into battle, the Kabura was styled and built at Mazdas design center in California. It follows the European-designed Sassou subcompact and the Japanese-designed Senku concept.

Based off of the MX-5s floorpan and powertrain, the Kabura is a lightweight, rear-wheel drive sports car designed to emphasize the pleasures of driving, without sacrificing versatility. Mazda has already proven this point twice over with its current generation of sports cars - the astonishingly practical four-door RX-8 and the latest MX-5 with its impressively sized trunk. Fans of Mazda no doubt look forward to seeing what surprises are in store with the Kabura.

From a sole front quarter sketch, the Kabura takes on a look of a scaled down RX-8, with sharper curves and a swoopier roofline. The trademarked Mazda five-sided grille is offset to both sides by aggressive looking intakes, and highly detailed L-shaped headlamps while a separate, silver-colored hood bulge, similar to that on the Ikubi concept car (predecessor to the MX-5), provides additional visual drama.

While we wont be seeing the Kabura on our streets anytime soon, Mazda will be showing off something that will be on sale by mid-year: its new CX-7 crossover vehicle. The successor to the MX-Crossport concept that made its debut at last years NAIAS, the CX-7 is Mazdas spin on the CUV (crossover utility vehicle), aiming to be the sportiest offering among entry-level brands in this rapidly-growing segment.

While some recent entries into the crossover segment may be objective in terms of styling, the CX-7 appeals to the eyes and to the heart. Large 18-inch wheels, a mixture of soft curves and sharp angles, plus pumped up fenders, all work together to convey speed and agility, while its sleek roofline and kicked up windows give it real presence amongst minivans and ordinary sport utes. The CX-7s racy exterior has been paired to a sporty cockpit capable of carrying five.

Where the competition offers big, heavy V6s, Mazdas approach to power is decidedly more in-tune with the inner-driver. Models bound for North American shores will be powered by the 2.3-liter direct-injection, four-cylinder turbocharged powerplant found in the Mazdaspeed6, tweaked to produce a less frantic 244-horsepower. While the CX-7 keeps the all-wheel drive of the fastest production Mazda, it will be mated to a six-speed automatic rather than a manual.

Rounding out Mazdas showcase is a pair of eco-friendly vehicles, the most important of which is the Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid concept vehicle. Using technology first shown in an RX-8 hydrogen-powered concept, the 5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid uses Renesis rotary drivetrain, re-engineered to accept hydrogen or gasoline as a power source. Mazda will also take the opportunity to show a near-production version of the Tribute Hybrid, which will share components with Fords Escape Hybrid and the U.S.-only Mercury Mariner Hybrid. It should go on sale sometime during 2006.