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Global Viewpoints
Mazda shows two concept vehicles
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Mazda's Nextourer is a hybrid concept combining attributes from sedans and sport utility vehicles.
Mazda's Neospace concept has seats designed to look as if they are floating above the floor.
Mazda also featured its Toroidal continuously variable transmission, said to provide a 15% fuel consumption improvement over a regular four-speed auto when allied to a 3.0-L engine.
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The Nextourer is a concept combination sedan and SUV (sport utility vehicle) that Mazda is pitching in a sector that BMW is entering with the X5. The Nextourer, revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show, has considerable presence, with an extended cabin and subsequently long roofline. The focus is on comfort and convenience for passengers, with storage space for a portable computer, and multi-zone air conditioning of a configuration that eliminates air outlets from the instrument panel (cool air outlets are in the roof) "resulting in a simple and clean design with a feeling of openness," according to the manufacturer. The car has an overall length of 4700 mm (185 in) and a wheelbase of 2800 mm (110.3 in). The seat position for driver and passengers is described as "high and upright." The car's suspension has active height control for optimum positioning in the city, at speed, and for passenger access. Instead of an entry key, the Nextourer has an entry card, carrying driver data. Its engine is a 3.0-L V6.
Also from Mazda is the Neospace concept, described as a "functional compact car." It has "floating seats" designed to look as if they are floating above the floor, said Mazda — without explaining why this is regarded as desirable. Overall length of the car is 3900 mm (153.7 in). Unusually, the front doors of the Neospace are larger than the rear. The rears are hinged at the trailing edge and there is no B-pillar. The Neospace has a 1.5-L engine.
Stuart Birch
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