Mazda moving towards new Three
Mazda has given more than a glimpse of the next-generation Three hatchback at this month’s Tokyo Motor Show, with a ‘‘production concept’’ called Kai.
Kai, meaning ‘‘pioneer’’ or ‘‘vanguard’’, showcases the Japanese maker’s new styling direction in a compact five-door body shape.
Compared with the current Mazda3, Kai is 50mm shorter, 60mm wider and 80mm lower.
Kai is a sister car to the exoticlooking Vision Coupe concept, which was also revealed at Tokyo.
Both showcase what Mazda calls its second-generation Kodo styling, which has moved away from the sharp character lines of its current models in favour of intricately shaped panels designed to manipulate reflected light.
Vision Coupe, a follow-up to the RX Vision, is a more extravagant and forward-thinking interpretation of what future Mazdas might look like (hence the ‘‘Vision’’ name).
Kai puts the same styling ethos into a more familiar and practical package.
Kai is powered by Mazda’s new SkyActiv-X engine, which combines petrol power with diesel-like compression ignition to give the performance of the former but the torque and fuel-efficiency of the latter.
Kai also rides on a revised SkyActiv platform.
Expect to see a Mazda3 packaged a lot like Kai by 2019.