Mazda Taiki Concept: Daring Design

Motoring Channel Staff - 2/October/2007

Hiroshima, Japan — As the 40th Tokyo Motor draws closer, many Japanese marques are unveiling their latest wares which in Mazda's case is the Taiki concept car. Following in the footsteps of Mazda's recent prototypes, such as the Nagare, Ryuga, and Hakaze concept vehicles, this fourth car gives us a glimpse into the future of Japanese car design.

Like the first three concepts designed under Mazda's global design director, Laurens van den Acker, the new Taiki is all about incorporating a sense of flow in the cars design, while also using traditional Japanese values.

Mazda says the Taiki concept further advances its evolving design theme through a fusion of the 'flow' technique and real-world technologies. It is powered by a a next-generation rotary engine and has a highly aerodynamic shape for reduced drag and lower fuel consumption levels.

The front-engine, rear-drive sports car reflects one possible direction for a future generation of Mazda sports cars aimed at helping create a sustainable society says the Japanese company, which will be further spruiking its green motoring credentials with the Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid at the Tokyo Motor Show. 

With a low emission, high performance rotary engine under its hood, the Taiki wasn't designed to go slowly but neither was it designed to impact upon global warming and climate change. The next-generation 1.6-litre Renesis (rotary engine 16X) engine combines with the cars unique 2-seat configuration and light weight to deliver what could be a new generation of sports car.

According to Mazda, it's highly original concept car establishes a breathtaking presence that visually expresses the atmosphere – which is where the name comes from. 'Taiki' means atmosphere in Japanese. The basic proportions begin with the stretched coupe form of a front-engine rear-wheel-drive layout, the short overhangs, and the liberating feel of an all-glass canopy. 

The challenge to create "a design that visually expresses the flow of air" was inspired by the image of a pair of Hagoromo – the flowing robes that enable a celestial maiden to fly in Japanese legend – floating down from the sky. 

The interior design of the vehicle was inspired by Japanese koinobori – the decorative "climbing carp streamers" – the notion of creating an Air-tube became the concept word for the interior design. From the dashboard and seats down to the door trim, the interior space creates the dynamic sensation that the flow of the wind is being visually depicted says Mazda. 

Other vehicles being displayed on the Mazda exhibit at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show include the full range of concept cars - the Mazda Taiki, Mazda Nagare, Mazda Ryuga, Mazda Hakaze concepts. There's also the new Mazda6 (called the Mazda Atenza in Japan), plus the Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid which like the concept cars also makes its world debut.

Here's some of the other stuff from Mazda that will appear at the Tokyo Motor Show:

Next Generation RENESIS (Rotary Engine 16X)

"In developing the next-generation RENESIS, Mazda made a thorough revision of engine dimensions including the trochoid rotor housing, adopting a longer stroke and larger displacement of 1600cc (800cc x 2) aimed to raise thermal efficiency and boost torque at all engine speeds. By employing the Hydrogen RE design policy of a direct injection system and aluminium side housing, as well as various other measures, we are further promoting the rotary engine’s merits of light weight and compact size."

New Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid

"Compared with the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE, the new Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid yields 40% better output, resulting in enhanced acceleration performance and an extended hydrogen-fueled range of about 200km, or twice that of the RX-8 Hydrogen RE. Seating capacity is also increased to give accommodation for five adults along with greater luggage space. 

"The hydrogen rotary engine is changed from a longitudinal to a transverse layout and its intake/exhaust resistance and combustion efficiency are improved to yield high output across a wide range of engine speeds. The hybrid system employed for the hydrogen rotary engine efficiently converts energy from hydrogen combustion into electricity that powers an electric motor. Thanks to progress in electric drive technology, the system realises high energy-efficiency and a quick response allied with low fuel consumption."

Next Generation I-4 Direct Injection Gasoline Engine

"With the next-generation 2.0-litre gasoline engine, we are aiming for a 15% to 20% increase in dynamic performance and a 20% increase in fuel economy (in-company comparison with the current 2.0L engine). Particular attention was paid to direct injection, combustion control, variable valve system technology and emission purification technology to reduce all energy losses and raise thermal efficiency. Further, Mazda is developing a new catalyst employing single nano technology that simultaneously improves emissions-cleaning capability and reduces the volume of precious metal required in a 3-way catalytic converter."

Next Generation Clean Diesel Engine

"In developing our next-generation 2.0L diesel engine, we aimed at emissions performance to meet global standards and fuel economy raised by as much as 10%. We are also pursuing the kind of performance that allows stress-free driving up to high engine speeds. To fulfil our aims, we are promoting direct piezo-injection technology enabling multi-stage injection, reduction of the weight and size of every reciprocating and rotating component as well as the aluminium cylinder block. A two-stage turbocharger is adopted to yield both high torque in the low rev range and an increased acceleration response. The most advanced catalyst technologies, such as a highly efficient catalyst to burn particulate matter, are also fitted."

SISS (Smart Idle Stop System)

"Mazda’s SISS restarts the engine without using an electric motor. The system injects fuel directly into the cylinders while the engine is stationary and ignites the fuel to create downward piston force that serves to start the engine, resulting in fuel savings of about 10% in Japan’s 10・15 mode in addition to restarting the engine quickly and quietly."

Rear Vehicle Monitoring System

"Radar sensors in the left and right rear corners of the body detect a vehicle approaching from the rear or in the blind area behind the B-pillars. The system is active when traveling at 60 km/h or faster." - Available in the new Mazda Atenza/Mazda6.

Multi-control system CF-Net （Cross Functional-Network）

"A centralized display above the instrument panel close to the driver’s line of sight and steering wheel switches within easy reach of the driver allow easy, integrated operation of audio, climate control, touring computer and other systems."- Available in the new Mazda Atenza/Mazda6.

Roll Stability Control System

"The system maintains a stable vehicle attitude by ascertaining the absolute roll angle at any given moment through a combination of information on the vehicle's roll movements provided by the roll rate sensor, and data on steering angle, lateral G-force, yaw rate and vehicle speed from the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system." - Installed in Mazda CX-9 for North America.

Driving assistance technology coordinating with transport infrastructure

"Mazda is participating in an ITS public road test to be held in Hiroshima under the auspices of an organisation made up of government, business and academic institutions. The test is scheduled to begin in the fall this year. We are in charge of developing a navigation system that supports ITS in this test on public roads and we will collect and analyse data from systems installed in several dozen Mazda vehicles. We are also developing an infrastructure-cooperative driver support system that will allow the driver to receive relevant information from sensors, beacons and other devices installed on the road. The support system includes a right-turn collision prevention support system, a blind corner collision prevention support system, and a system to support the prevention of rear-end collisions when waiting at traffic signals. Mazda is actively promoting this kind of road-human-vehicle interface and control technology approach."- 2008 Hiroshima district public road ITS verification test.

Related articles:
- Mazda6 (2008)
- Mazda2 (2008)
- Mazda6 MPS (Road Test)
- Mazda6 Sport (Road Test)
- Mazda6 Diesel (2007)
- Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe (Road Test)
- Mazda Ryuga (concept)
- Mazda Nagare (concept)
- Mazda CX-9 (2008)
- Mazda 2 Miller Cycle (2008)