2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

Brush your long, grungy mop from your eyes, turn down the Nirvana and take a look around. It's the early '90s and an army of sport utility vehicles are flooding the streets. The newest four-wheeled object of America's affection has quickly become the default mode of transportation for everyone from inner city professionals to suburban soccer moms.

Fast forward a couple of decades and although sport utes are still around, they've largely been displaced by the crossover – the SUV's easier-to-maneuver, more fuel efficient and more comfortable unibody progeny. But even after years of refinement, the CUV is still a basketcase of compromises. Which begs the question: Did we have it right back in the day? Is a wagon still the best compromise of size, functionality and driving dynamics? We snagged the keys to a 2011 Acura TSX Sports Wagon to find out.

Needless to say, the TSX Sport Wagon is based on its sedan counterpart, but in addition to its two-box shape, Acura has set it off with a redesigned grille. The new piece looks far less hawk-nosed than the one worn by the four-door, as its been broken up by a thinner frame that creates a slimming effect. The lower bumper also improves front-end styling with a much wider and more aggressive appearance. Seeing the TSX Sport Wagon for the first time is a bit like running into that formerly plain-looking girl from high school who got some work done and now dates a pro baseball player; she looks nearly the same, but somehow better. And she knows it. All of which suggests that Acura's stylists may have been listening to at least some of the criticism they've received over the company's controversial front fascia.

The Sport Wagon's updated nose gives way to that long wagon body, which also benefits from a handful of well-placed styling elements. Noticeable fender bulges wrap around the 17-inch five-spoke aluminum wheels and serve to bookend a razor sharp shoulder crease. A strong character line takes over and works its way around the perimeter of the car. It's a neat visual trick that keeps your eyes moving along the bodywork, and it also helps to hide the extra length the wagon wears – a grand total of about 3.6 inches. The overall appearance, however, is somewhat sportier than the sedan because of how the rotund rear end sets off the car's stance.



The driver's perch gives you the chance to enjoy the TSX's dark trim and subtle contrast stitching on its seats. The heated leather front chairs wrap around your body like a mold and while the Audi A4 Avant, BMW 328i Sport Wagon and Volvo V50 might have nice seats, none of them offer standard heating and few are as comfortable. Rear seat passengers are well taken care of, too, as the wagon loses just 0.1-inch of headroom compared to the sedan, while leg, hip and shoulder room all remain the same.

Better still, the rear seats fold down nearly flat with the touch of a switch. The side pockets and lower panels can be removed to reveal even more storage options and the 28-inch height of the rear opening allows for some sizable objects to catch a lift. The 60.5 cubic-feet of rear cargo space is downright cavernous compared to the 50.5, 48.9 and 44.2 found in the Audi, BMW and Volvo, respectively. The closest you'll get to equaling the TSX's cargo hold is the Cadillac CTS Wagon which comes in at 58 cubes with the seats folded flat.



It's not just comfort and utility that makes the TSX Sport Wagon a near ideal place to log trips over the hills and through the woods. All of the knobs and switches are easy to reach, and the available infotainment system hits the moving target of today's technological standards. With the exception of the bulbous multi-directional controller blighting the center stack, the controls are logically laid out, providing an easy learning curve. Dual-zone climate controls keep more than just the driver happy and even the base seven-speaker sound system provides an enjoyable audio experience. The navigation system and rearview camera, however, only show up on the dashboard if you opt for the Technology Package, but Bluetooth and USB audio come standard.

The base model starts at $30,960 plus $860 for destination and handling, while the TSX Sport Wagon with Tech Package costs $34,610 plus D&H. When upgrading to the latter, buyers also receive a power-actuated tailgate, boosted ELS 460-watt 10-speaker audio system with voice recognition, navigation with real-time weather, traffic updates and dynamic re-routing, and the rearview camera. A loaded Acura TSX Sport Wagon with Tech Package still comes in under the base price of the A4 ($35,940), 328i ($36,200) and comparably-equipped V50 ($35,650). The Caddy? Just over $38,000 in base spec.



Comparing pricing and amenities never paints a complete picture, though, and that's where driving dynamics come into play. "Sport" is the TSX Sport Wagon's middle name, and after hauling around Southern California for a couple of days, the moniker is well-deserved. If just. The suspension is firm – almost surprisingly so – making this five-door a joy to push hard, at least on SoCal's smooth roads. The rack-and-pinion steering is also tight and responsive, combining neatly with the TSX's stiff suspenders to make for an engaging driving experience.

When the road turns even slightly rough, however, the TSX Sport Wagon transforms into something of a child's moonbounce. While never unsettled, on certain course surfaces we found the Acura to be not unlike navigating a Boston whaler across a choppy harbor. Suspension for this front-wheel drive wagon is composed of double wishbones up front and multi-link setup in the rear, and we suspect the issue lies with the constant-rate coil springs. Perhaps a set of progressive units would help smooth things out, but prospective buyers who live in areas blessed with four distinctly separate seasons should keep the TSX Sport Wagon's stiff nature in mind.



Under the hood of the TSX Sport Wagon lies a 2.4-liter four-cylinder producing 201 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 172 pound-feet of torque at 4,300 rpm. That doesn't sound like much, but the powertrain actually provides a surprising amount of motivation for this 3,599-pound premium utility sled and sounds pretty good while doing it.

Power is routed to the front wheels courtesy of a five-speed automatic transmission, while a pair of paddles mounted to the steering wheel allow for manual gear selection. When left alone, the automatic shifts smoothly, though sometimes it plays a game of hide-and-seek when pressing on with authority. If you're not in the mood for the cogbox's automated games, you can always switch the transmission into Sport and use the paddleshifters. Fortunately, whatever speed you build is just as easy to shed thanks to the TSX's well-sorted 11.8-inch ventilated front and 11.1-inch solid rear discs.



A six-speed manual transmission would offer even more engagement, but sadly Acura can't build a business case for one. When pressed why we can't get a row-our-own version, Acura officials indicated that the company expects to sell around 4,000 units per year, or 10 percent of all TSX models sold. The take rate for manual transmissions amongst current TSX buyers is only around two to three percent, and with the wagon already making up a minority of TSX sales, it doesn't make financial sense to offer a three-pedal model.

So where is the V6 that's offered in the sedan? The four-cylinder does a surprisingly credible job, but the 280-hp, 3.5-liter unit available in the four-door would be a welcome addition. Just as Acura was listening to its customers with regards to the front-end design, it's also evidently deferred to market research regarding what engine to plunk in the TSX Wagon's beaky nose. As the theory goes, the average wagon buyer doesn't need 280 hp when 201 hp works just fine, and prospective buyers Acura spoke with placed a higher priority on fuel economy than power. The 2.4-liter is rated at 22 miles per gallon in the city and 30 miles per gallon on the highway, while the V6-powered sedan achieves 18/27 – numbers that would no doubt fall in the heavier wagon.



That all said, why is the TSX Sport Wagon finally available in the U.S.? Because Acura says it wants to provide an SUV alternative for its entry-level customers. The wagon is aimed squarely at those successful members of Generation-Y for whom owning an SUV has become a stigma. Priced below the competition and boasting better fuel economy, the 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon is not yet the near-luxury estate of our dreams, but it's a welcome step in the continued resurrection of the premium wagon.

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Competitors: Honda Accord and Toyota Camry

Engine: V6-equipped 2.0 and 2.4-liter engine

Mileage: 36 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway




Other Info: Sonata is a sedan that has always shown up with the kind of styling, efficiency and price this low which make consumers to scurry for their checkbook.

All new 2011 Sonata can also be driven in all electric mode. Hyundai says that the Sonata Hybrid can cruise on all-electric at speed of up to 62 mph, and company's engineer indicated that the car might do even better. Hyundai did this by converting its 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine to the Atkinson Cycle and added a 40-horsepower electric motor, which is good for a combined 206 horsepower and 193 pound-feet of torque, but the main thing is the car's battery pack.

Instead of cull out the cheaper nickel-metal hydride cells, Hyundai's choice was costlier lithium-polymer cells with a total of 72 cells into the pack, which weighs a relatively 96 pounds.

2010 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG w/P31 Development Package

Roger Daltrey has attempted to achieve a record and publicized that they were paid ₤75 to ₤150 a show, yet they would wrack around ₤250-300 amount of gear every moment. Mercedes-Benz also promise those that they willing to pay the amount of $57,350 for its least and costly AMG mode of the C63 AMG and it also promise to give a further amount of $5,950 for AMG Development Package by adding 30 horsepower engine. Moreover Mercedes-Benz attached an updated brakes and a passel with miscellaneous high performance gear.
What all goes into the Dev Pack?


In order to bring the C63's 6.2-liter set up it is stable for busting 481 horsepower at 6,800 rpm, AMG has attached a lightweight engine in it also include new pistons, con-rods and a different crankshaft. When it is loaded over by an updated ECU, the combination gets an extra 30 advantage from the V8, moreover 443 pound feet of torque that resolutely sits at the 5,000 rpm. Benz's bowfins have launched this car with a top speed of 174 mph.
Moreover that amazing Development Package cars “lesser C63s” comes out in the present market with a carbon fiber lip spoiler, a titanium-colored intake that runners and with a suitably bitchin' leather and linked up with an Alcantara flat-bottomed steering wheel. With the addition of Dev Pack's lighter internals it is allowed for 6.2-liter V8 to jump and barks with even greater finesse.

2011 Hyundai Azera Limited

Even five years ago, Hyundai was widely considered to be a bargain-basement marque. After all, anyone interested in checking out the brand's lineup could visit a rental company within five miles of any major airport. But why dwell on the past when the Korean automaker is kicking butt and taking names in the here and now? Hyundai has been on a roll these past few years, with hits like the Genesis, Genesis Coupe and 2011 Sonata. With those successful entries, Hyundai has clearly established itself as a prime player in the U.S. market, but the company's improved standing has also substantially raised the public's levels of expectation. Where qualifiers like "for a Hyundai" were once the norm, we're now measuring each and every new entry donning the italic H against the best from Toyota, Ford, General Motors and Honda.

Hyundai's most recently refreshed product is the 2011 Azera. When the Azera first arrived on U.S. shores as a 2006 model, it came came close to nixing the "for a Hyundai" stigma with an impressive level of standard equipment and a lower price tag than its competition. But even with a strong value equation and plethora of amenities, that original Azera still wasn't as refined as the current crop of winners coming out of South Korea. Can the freshly redesigned 2011 Azera, with an improved powertrain and increased level of luxury equipment, truly succeed like its all-star siblings?

The Azera has received more than a mild refresh for 2011, with a pair of upgraded powertrains, new headlamps, taillamps, fog lights and a host of tweaks and tucks to the front and rear fascias. Our Midnight Blue Limited tester included the only available option, a $1,750 navigation system, nudging the Azera's MSRP to $32,620. That's still about $5,000 fewer greenbacks than a similarly equipped Toyota Avalon or Ford Taurus. A good deal? Perhaps, but competing in the full-size sedan segment means measuring up on more than just price.

When looking over the Azera from the outside, the large sedan's newest features shine brightest, and not just because we're talking head- and taillamps. The Azera's headlights are pretty special, with the LED-encrusted, Audi-like elements begging for attention. The taillamps are pretty snazzy as well, as Hyundai has gone a bit nuts with the light-emitting diodes. The chiseled front grill also impresses, borrowing its basic shape from the Genesis Sedan while going all-in with chrome in a decidedly American manner. We're also fans of the rich, sparkly Midnight Blue paint job, which gives the Azera a welcome touch of class.

While the Azera's updated exterior elements add a touch of freshness, there are still more than enough throwbacks to push it towards the back of the pack visually. Exhibit A: a tall and somewhat awkward greenhouse. Compared to the steeply-raked, coupe-like roofline of the Sonata, the Azera looks as if it were penned by a fan of Oldsmobiles from the 1990s, and it doesn't fare much better against sleek-looking competitors like the Nissan Maxima or Buick LaCrosse.



Given that the Azera underwent just a refresh and not full redesign, we expected the tweaked exterior to fall short of game-changing. But the interior is another matter altogether. Since it's easier to swap out cabin components than re-engineer sheetmetal, refreshed vehicles often receive fairly substantial interior upgrades. Sadly, not so with the Azera. The interior looks essentially unchanged from the outgoing model, save for some aluminum graining on the center console and a low-tech eco indicator that's about as interesting as a check engine light. The Azera's interior wasn't terrible before with a muted cabin, comfortable seats and reasonably high quality materials on the dash, seats and doors. Unfortunately, "good enough" just doesn't cut it in a segment where MSRPs regularly exceed $30,000. The Avalon, LaCrosse and Taurus far outshine the Azera in this regard with better materials, cushier armrests (the Azera's is as soft as diorite) and superior aesthetics all around.

Park a new Sonata next to an Azera and even the optically challenged can see the larger Hyundai offers a far less compelling cabin while commanding a starting price that's several thousand dollars lower. On the high end of the company showroom is the Genesis Sedan – a fair comparison given our tester was within $1,000 of the starting price of Hyundai's Lexus-fighter. The base Genesis and uplevel Azera also share the same basic powertrain and both offer near identical levels of interior volume. The difference, besides the Genesis being driven by its rear wheels and the Azera its fronts, is that the Genesis comes packed to the sunroof with amenities and interior refinement, while the Azera struggles even against the not-long-for-this-world Buick Lucerne. For instance, the sat-nav on the Genesis – a massive, modern-looking system – dwarfs the Azera's seven-inch unit in both size and design.

So the Azera's interior is many meters short of segment leading, but there is some good news under the hood. Remember the part about the Azera and Genesis Sedan sharing the same engine? The Azera Limited's new 3.8-liter V6 churns out 283 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 263 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm. (Lesser GLS models make do with a 3.3-liter V6 producing 260 hp and 233 lb-ft.). If you're thinking that the 3.8-liter provides a lot of pop for a sedan driven by its front wheels, you're right – particularly if you're slamming the go pedal from a dead stop. While bull riders would love that level of torque steer, we're less inclined to saddle up. But when you're already in motion, the extra punch is very welcome, and as an added bonus sounds damn good from the driver's seat.

When mated to its new, smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission, the revised Lambda 3.8-liter V6 proves is very competent and impressively smooth – easily the best attribute the Azera has to offer. And all that power doesn't kill you at the pump, as the EPA rates the 3.8-liter V6-powered Azera at 27 miles per gallon on the highway and 19 mpg around town. We managed to average just under 22 mpg, mostly because we were "fully experiencing" the 3.8-liter engine.



Dynamically, the Azera is competent for a vehicle that tips the scales at 3,585 pounds. Beyond its torque steer problem, Hyundai has managed to tie down the chassis to the extent that it doesn't offend an elderly buyer looking for a smooth ride. Body roll stays within an acceptable range, though our tester's 235/55VR17 Michelin rubber emitted predictably high levels of tire squeal when pushed. Steering was a bit heavier than we found at the helm of the similarly sized Avalon – generally a good thing – though any semblance of feel went undetected by our paws. Overall, the Azera feels just about how we'd expect a large family sedan to drive – not as tight as the Maxima and not as loose as the Avalon.

So we've established that the Azera shouldn't waste the application fee for any beauty contests, its interior could use some love and its powertrain is a strong suit. Is that enough to propel Hyundai's updated sedan past the "for a Hyundai" designation? In a word, no. Truth is, the competition from Toyota, Buick, Nissan and Ford has it all over the Azera in most every way. The closest the Azera comes to sniffing the winner's circle is with the Limited's excellent V6 engine, but this segment is chock-full of competent powertrains. And we'd argue that "for a Hyundai" isn't even fair to the marque's other products. Is it as good as a Sonata? The Genesis? No.



So why has Hyundai decided to let it hang around? Even though it's been a slow seller, we hear that Hyundai has kept the Azera in its lineup for buyers who come in to sample the Sonata, only to walk away because its styling is too avant-garde. If that's the strategy at work, it also neatly explains the visual conservatization brought about with the car's 2011 facelift. Said another way, the Azera remains as a hedge bet for keeping elderly and more traditionally minded customers in the fold who are looking for comfortable full-size transportation with a good warranty. By that yardstick, it succeeds – but only just. In 2006, we would have called the Azera competent, affordable and perhaps even a bit surprising, but it's 2010, and these days we expect more.

Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale

There are pros and cons to two erstwhile rivals sharing the same roof. On the one hand, they can share resources, but on the other, they have to be careful not to step on each-other's toes. Sharing corporate space with Aston Martin meant that Jaguar had to clip its own wings when it came to the XKR for years, as evidenced by the more powerful versions that have come out since the two split.

There's no doubt that Maserati has benefited tremendously from its association with Ferrari, but that has consequently meant that the Trident marque has had to adopt a different approach, catering to a more luxury-oriented market than the raw performance of its big brother on the Prancing Horse. But that doesn't mean they can't push the envelop just a little, and that's what you're looking at here.

Called the MC Stradale, this ultimate version of the GranTurismo bridges the gap between road and race models in the same way the revolutionary Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale did in its day – and as the all-conquering 430 Scuderia did subsequently. To get there, Maserati's tuned the chassis, aero and engine to more closely resemble the levels attained on racing versions like the MC Trofeo spec racer and the GT4 competition model.

Modena claims increased downforce without a commensurate increase in drag, while the engine has been boosted to 450 horsepower as compared to the 430 in the existing GranTurismo S. That's about all the Italians have released at this point, but you're cordially invited to read the brief press release after the jump and check out the images in the gallery below as Maserati prepares the GranTurismo MC Stradale for its debut at the Paris Motor Show next week.

[Source: Maserati]

2011 Ford Fiesta SES Hatchback

Thumbs Up: Reasonable handling, great build quality, good fuel economy and an incredible amount of content for the price

Thumbs Down: Footwell legroom discourages cross-country trips

Buy This Car If: You’re looking for maximum content at a minimal price

Not too long ago, entry level cars were defined by their absolute lack of everything. Styling, if you could call it that, was bland and uninspired. Climb inside, and you were lucky to get A/C and an FM radio. Most econoboxes had roll up windows, seats designed during the Spanish Inquisition and acceleration that was nearly as brisk as, say, a glacier. They were what you bought straight out of college, and you hoped that the car would last longer than its payments.

If you haven’t driven an entry level car in a while, take your preconceived notions and throw them out the window. Then go drive the new Ford Fiesta, and I guaranteed you’ll come away with a whole new perspective. The car actually has an appealing style to it, and the interior can be as well appointed as you budget allows. Want leather seats? They’re available. Want Sirius satellite radio and a surprisingly good sound system with a USB input? Check. Want Ford’s Synch system for voice command of audio and cell phone? It’s standard in the higher trim levels. In fact, the only thing you can’t get in the Fiesta is a conventional nav system; this is a moot point, because the Synch system allows you to request turn by turn directions, eliminating the need for an additional nav system.

The Fiesta comes as a four door sedan or a five door hatchback. My tester was the five door hatchback, which, coincidentally, is my favorite body style. Need to haul for passengers? No problem. Need to haul big boxes? No problem in the hatchback, big problem in the sedan. Unlike earlier entry-level Fords (the original Fiesta, for example), the 2011 Fiesta SES hatchback has an appealing style all its own, The front fenders are sculpted and flow into the hood, with the lines carrying all the way to the grille. LED driving lights are offset by deep chrome bezels that lead into the flared front wheel arches. An upper character line begins on the front fender and spans the driver and passenger door at an upward angle to denote speed. A similar upswept character line starts at the bottom of the front fender and traverses the doors. Combined with the car’s overall aerodynamic shape, the styling conveys speed and motion, adding to the visual appeal of the car. You may be driving an inexpensive car, but you’re not driving one that looks or feels cheap.

Inside, the front seats are leather and feature contrasting piping to add to the car’s upscale feel. Deep side bolsters provide plenty of support for enthusiastic cornering, yet don’t intrude on overall comfort. Despite being adjustable for height, reach and seatback tilt only, I found the driver’s seat to be comfortable enough for all day driving. The front seats are even heated (if you opt for the Comfort Upgrade Package), not something you would expect to find in an entry level commuter car.

With rear seats up, a parcel shelf hides your valuables

Rear seats down, there's plenty of cargo room.

Rear seats are big enough for two adults, and even offer decent legroom considering the Fiesta’s diminutive size. The seats split and fold 60/40, but the rear headrests must be removed first with the seatback in a partially folded position. An included parcel shelf keeps valuables out of sight when the rear seats are up and is easily detached for maximum cargo room.

The three spoke steering wheel is well shaped, including thumb cutouts at 9:00 and 3:00, and ridged grips at 10:00 and 2:00. The steering wheel contains controls for the phone, audio and cruise control, and is leather wrapped in higher end models. The dash is beautiful, and uses sculpted and textured soft touch plastic offset by aluminum and matte black trim. Audio controls are atop the center console, and the audio display is also used for things like phone data and Synch turn-by-turn directions. Icon based HVAC controls are easy to interpret and easier to operate. The Euro influence is clear in the interior design, and again you’re left with the impression of driving a much more expensive car.

Instrumentation in the Fiesta consists of a tachometer and speedometer, deep set in stylized binnacles. Splitting the two gauges is the driver information display on top, followed by a warning light screen below, followed by a fuel gauge at the bottom. Numbers are large and easy to read, and the driver information display provides a surprising amount of information for a car at this price point.

The only real complaint I had on the interior was footwell room; because of the car’s narrow width and accelerator pedal placement, my right leg was braced against the center console with no room to move while driving. This isn’t a big deal for the average commute. but longer trips with the Fiesta would require the use of cruise control.

The Fiesta uses a 1.6 liter, four cylinder motor, good for 120 horsepower and 112 ft lb of torque. My tester came mated to a five speed manual transmission, although a six peed automatic is an available option. Acceleration is adequate, given the Fiesta’s emphasis on fuel economy over performance, and zero to sixty comes up in about 9.5 seconds. Fuel economy is rated at 28 mpg city and 37 mpg highway, and I saw actual fuel economy of 29.8 mpg in spirited, mostly-city driving.

Handling is surprisingly good, considering that the Fiesta SES isn’t meant for autocrossing. Steering is nicely weighted and provides excellent feedback on what the front wheels are doing. The car feels like it has a low center of gravity, and body roll isn’t bad even when the Fiesta is pushed hard into corners. I would give the Fiesta’s overall platform an A, and I’m absolutely certain that tuners will be building some very fast Fiestas in the next few years.

My 20110 Ford Fiesta SES Hatchback had a base price of $17,795, including destination charge. Options on my tester included the $795 Comfort Upgrade Package (Heated Front Seats, Chrome Belt Line Molding, Keyless Entry With Push Button Start, Chrome Decklid Molding, Perimeter Alarm), the $300 Yellow Blaze Tri Coat Paint, and the $715 Leather Seating for a total sticker price of $19,605. For comparison, a similar Honda Fit can be had for $17,160, but that comes without leather seats, Ford’s Synch system or heated seats. A stripped Fiesta SES, which is more comparable in content to the Honda Fit, is $17,795.

This is the second time I’ve had an opportunity to drive the new Fiesta, and my week with the tester reinforced my initial impressions. This isn’t your father’s econobox, and I suspect that the new Fiesta will draw in buyers across a wide range of demographics. It’s solidly built, and it highlights the industry’s new trend of up-contenting smaller cars to appeal to a broader audience. I would have no hesitation in recommending the new Fiesta to anyone, and I think it may well prove to be Ford’s most successful small car in years.

This is the Spartan V Track Car

And yes, it very well could kick you into a bottomless well. The purpose-built Australian racer weighs just 661 pounds and is powered by a 170-horsepower 1200cc Ducati v-twin. It can hit 60 miles per hour in less than three seconds and can growl its way up to 173 miles per hour. It’s made of lots and lots of carbon fiber and the stuff of legend. Fittingly, only 300 will be made. The price for the “most superior fighting machine the world has ever seen?” $84,321. Youch.

2011 BMW Concept 6-Series Coupe

BMW will preview the next generation 6-Series with a special concept car that will make its world debut at the Paris Auto Show at the end of September. The concept features a new design language that will be used in lots of future BMW models.

The 6-Series Concept is defined by stretched bonnet, the short front overhang, a passenger compartment set well to the rear, and a low silhouette incorporating a dynamically flowing roofline. There are also new LED headlights, which combine the typical BMW twin round headlight format with innovative lighting technology.

The interior is defined by functionality, elegance and exclusiveness. There is a new 10.2-inch iDrive Control Display in the centre of the instrument panel, Head-Up Display system and a hi-fi system designed specially for the concept.

BMW revealed no details on the concept’s specifications, but we presume we will get more details closer to the official unveil.

Mazda Shinari Concept debuts new face of the brand in style

When Mazda invited us to Milan to see its new concept car, we knew it must be something important. Normally concept cars get their 15 minutes of fame at an auto show, and then it's off to the next press conference to see what the following automaker will introduce. Not so with Mazda's latest styling endeavor. The Japanese automaker wanted our full and undivided attention, with the center of international design and fashion in Italy as a fitting backdrop.

The Shinari concept, which roughly translates to "resistance to being bent," will serve as a the basis for Mazda's new design language, and many of the styling cues will make it to future production vehicles. That means that the Shinari will essentially affect the design of every vehicle coming from the Japanese automaker for the next several years. An important car for Mazda? You bet.

The Shinari was officially unveiled earlier today, and we spent several hours talking with Mazda's artists about the design and how it will affect the automaker's forthcoming vehicles.

The creation of the Shinari Concept starts with Ikuo Maeda, Mazda's global head of design. Maeda was the chief designer of the RX-8 and the Mazda2 and has been with the company for nearly 30 years, but his connection with the brand goes back even further than that. His father, Matasaburo Maeda, headed the design of the first generation RX-7 back in the 1970s. Mazda runs in the Maeda family's blood and there's no one more qualified to define the look of Mazda's next generation vehicles.

While Maeda has had an influence on Mazda design in the past, 2010 is the first year in which he's had full control. The Shinari Concept represents the first styling concept under his new design theme, KODO, which replaces the controversial Nagare them from the past several years. While the Nagare-styled cars were represented by wavy, flowing lines, a trait that looked great on concepts but was tough to implement on production cars (see Mazda3), KODO is more of an organic style that still takes cues from the natural world, but in a much more solidified and powerful sense. Maeda describes KODO as form with a soul, or bringing form to life, with the three key terms defining the theme being speed, tension and alluring. "There are few products of industrial design that can be compared to living entities which convey energetic motion and which invite affection," he says. "It is this intrinsically emotional appeal of the car that I wish to express when creating Mazda cars."



While Maeda created the theme for the new stylistic direction, the development of the Shinari Concept was actually a collaboration between three of Mazda's design centers in Japan, Germany and the United States. The goal was to make the exterior a product of Japan, while the interior was left to the automaker's Irvine studio. However, each team had input on the final product.

Looking at the exterior, it's easy to tell that the Shinari shares little in common with Mazda's recent designs, although like almost every sedan built today, it has similarities to vehicles from other brands. It's almost as if the Aston Martin Rapide and a Mazda RX-8 cued up some Barry White, enjoyed a romantic evening and the Shinari came out nine months later. That's obviously a compliment, as the Rapide is a stunningly beautiful car and the RX-8 – even this far into its lifecycle – is still a looker. However, the Shinari has a much more complicated design, with more intersecting lines and a surface area that's constantly moving and changing depending on the lighting.



Those who dislike the smiling face of the current Mazda lineup will be glad to know it won't be a feature in future models (Huzzah! – Ed.). The Shinari front end features a "signature wing" that will become a new styling cue for the brand. The wing is formed by a thin aluminum band that starts from the bottom of the grille and goes out and up through the headlamps and continues with a bold fender line moving out onto the sides.

The most impressive aspect of the exterior design was the devotion to the theme in nearly every inch of the concept. The various aluminum pieces found on the exterior have a "twisted tension", and even the slots in the disc brakes follow the same theme. In addition, items like the headlights were designed to have a more natural look and fashioned to mimic the iris of an animal's eye. We're also big fans of the stylish rear view cameras in place of the standard mirrors as well as the trick door handles (although "button" might be a more appropriate description) that require only a simple press to open.



While the exterior is certainly a departure from previous designs, the interior is perhaps the most surprising aspect of the Shinari. Easily the most attractive and stylish interior we've seen in a Mazda (concept or not), it's swathed in authentic aluminum trim, leather-covered surfaces and double stitching at nearly every turn and twist. We're again drawn to the Aston Martin Rapide comparison, especially with the design of the deep rear bucket seats. The gauges, modeled after popular watch designs, up the class quotient and the massive glass roof helps make the interior feel open and airy.

We know many of these elements won't make it into a production car, but Mazda's North American director of design, Derek Jenkins, who oversaw the development of the Shinari's interior, says it's Mazda's goal to add sophistication to future models. "Mazda is really an aspirational type of brand," he says. "Even though we are a mainstream brand we have a customer that wants a little bit more. We monitor premium segments, we monitor premium trends, and the question is ultimately how can get some of that feeling into a more affordable vehicle. We think our customer wants a little bit more sophistication."

One thing that can definitely be seen in future Mazda interiors is a driver-focused cockpit. A close look at the Shinari's interior reveals an asymmetric design that snugly surrounds the driver's seat while leaving the passenger seat more open and relaxed. Jenkins says this will be theme of upcoming Mazda vehicles and help set the brand apart.

Finally, the Shinari also features quite a bit of technology that looks forward to the new applications of driver-automobile interactions. The Human Machine Interface (HMI) is split up into three modes: Business, Pleasure and Sport. Potential uses range from looking up bios of a business contact before a meeting to a rally-style co-pilot feature that could alert the driver of the characteristics of upcoming turns. It's nothing too far-fetched given the current levels of technology, and we wouldn't be surprised to see some of it implemented in the near future.



But more than the tech and the attention to detail, it's the Shinari's overall cohesion that impresses the most. Unlike other pie-in-the-sky concepts, the Sinari is a smart, well executed styling exercise that should be a solid design platform for future models. The muscular lines should translate well into a production car, and customers will always appreciate a more sophisticated interior. And what about the potential of a four-door sports coupe like the Shinari making it to production? Mazda wouldn't tell us whether one is in the works, but they did mention that the "business side of it" was considered when the Shinari was under development. That definitely means there's a chance, and we sure like the sound of a Mazda RX-9.