Going Green in Geneva: The Mazda Minagi

Going Green in Geneva: The Mazda Minagi the latest crossover concept vehicle with Mazda's SkyActiv design plan.

A crossover may seem like an odd thing to debut your company's new look. What's even odder is previewing the future of that company with a vehicle that is neither electric nor a hybrid when even Bentley is packing lithium ion cells into their cars. Yet Mazda is doing just that in a bid to separate themselves from the rest of the auto world with the Minagi.

The concept uses Mazda's new Kodo design language which the press release says gives the car "the expression of energy pulsing throughout the vehicle with the keen agility to move about freely and nimbly."

That's not a statement you would normally associate with a crossover, but the design manages to come off as somewhat less bulbous than most vehicles in its segment, especially compared with the CX-7 and CX-9.

The vehicle is a preview of Mazda's SkyActiv design plan. While everyone else is moving toward hybrids and electric cars, Mazda is trying to squeeze as much as they can out of traditional technologies. The company has already announced the following technical improvements:

A gas engine that has a compression ratio of 14:1 on pump gas with an expected 15% increase in fuel economy and maximum torque over current engines.

A diesel engine that has a compression ratio of 14:1 that delivers 20% better fuel economy and doesn't require urea injection or other nitrogen-capturing technology to pass emissions requirements. (In diesel engines fuel ignites using compression instead of a spark. A typical compression ratio would be between 17 and 18:1.)

Advanced automatic and manual transmissions that reduce weight and internal friction.

Lightweight body and chassis components that use new design techniques and plenty of high-strength steel to reduce weight by 8% and 14% respectively.

How much of a change can we expect to see with these cars? When Mazda first announced their plan in 2008 they targeted a 30% increase in fuel economy across the board by 2015. It's rumored that the next MX-5 will weigh 2,200 lbs, 200 lbs. less than the current model.

Aside from the usual tiny mirror and giant wheels seen on concepts you can expect to see something very similar to the Minagi going into production, replacing the current CX-9 or Tribute. The first vehicle to use the technology will be next year's 3, which will receive the SkyActiv gas engine and SkyActiv transmissions. Chassis improvements will follow as models are redesigned.

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Going Green in Geneva: The Mazda Minagi

Going Green in Geneva: The Mazda Minagi the latest crossover concept vehicle with Mazda's SkyActiv design plan.

A crossover may seem like an odd thing to debut your company's new look. What's even odder is previewing the future of that company with a vehicle that is neither electric nor a hybrid when even Bentley is packing lithium ion cells into their cars. Yet Mazda is doing just that in a bid to separate themselves from the rest of the auto world with the Minagi.

The concept uses Mazda's new Kodo design language which the press release says gives the car "the expression of energy pulsing throughout the vehicle with the keen agility to move about freely and nimbly."

That's not a statement you would normally associate with a crossover, but the design manages to come off as somewhat less bulbous than most vehicles in its segment, especially compared with the CX-7 and CX-9.

The vehicle is a preview of Mazda's SkyActiv design plan. While everyone else is moving toward hybrids and electric cars, Mazda is trying to squeeze as much as they can out of traditional technologies. The company has already announced the following technical improvements:

A gas engine that has a compression ratio of 14:1 on pump gas with an expected 15% increase in fuel economy and maximum torque over current engines.

A diesel engine that has a compression ratio of 14:1 that delivers 20% better fuel economy and doesn't require urea injection or other nitrogen-capturing technology to pass emissions requirements. (In diesel engines fuel ignites using compression instead of a spark. A typical compression ratio would be between 17 and 18:1.)

Advanced automatic and manual transmissions that reduce weight and internal friction.

Lightweight body and chassis components that use new design techniques and plenty of high-strength steel to reduce weight by 8% and 14% respectively.

How much of a change can we expect to see with these cars? When Mazda first announced their plan in 2008 they targeted a 30% increase in fuel economy across the board by 2015. It's rumored that the next MX-5 will weigh 2,200 lbs, 200 lbs. less than the current model.

Aside from the usual tiny mirror and giant wheels seen on concepts you can expect to see something very similar to the Minagi going into production, replacing the current CX-9 or Tribute. The first vehicle to use the technology will be next year's 3, which will receive the SkyActiv gas engine and SkyActiv transmissions. Chassis improvements will follow as models are redesigned.

View the original article here

Mazda Minagi Concept: 2011 Geneva Motor Show

Source: MotorAuthority.com

With its latest concept car, the all-new 2011 Mazda Minagi, Mazda is essentially giving us a preview of its replacement for the Tribute compact SUV. The aging Tribute is long overdue for an update and reports of a sharper and more dynamic compact crossover from Mazda date back to early 2007, so it’s not at all surprising to see the Minagi at this week’s 2011 Geneva Motor show.

We’ve known about the Minagi for some time now but today we have the first official images and details of the new concept.

The Minagi is the latest iteration of the Mazda’s ‘Kodo’ Soul of Motion design theme. We first saw Kodo on the stunning 2010 Shinari Concept and now we get to see it in crossover form. Its styling has clearly been derived from the Shinari, which we all know will influence the automaker’s future models. We got that confirmation from Mazda chief designer Ikuo Maeda last September, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see Mazda launch a new model, possibly labeled CX-5, resembling the new Mingai.

Mazda describes the vehicle as a “unique crossover SUV for urban explorers which fuses emotional design with outstanding performance”.

Additionally, the Minagi also combines Mazda's SKYACTIV technologies, which consists of the automaker’s next-generation powertrain, vehicle body and chassis designs. In the case of the new Minagi, the concept is equipped with a SKYACTIV engine and SKYACTIV transmission fitted to a SKYACTIV-Body and chassis that merge comprehensive weight reduction with ample safety features.

For our complete coverage of the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, click here.

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2011 Geneva Motor Show Preview: Mazda Minagi Concept

Source: MotorAuthority.com

Just hours after today’s earlier leak of the new Minagi Concept, Mazda has released full details for its latest concept and confirmed that it will be appearing for the first time at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in March.

The concept is said to be a preview of a brand new compact crossover from Mazda but it’s also the latest iteration of the automaker's ‘Kodo’ Soul of Motion design theme. We first saw Kodo on the stunning 2010 Shinari Concept and now we get to see it in crossover form.

The Minagi's styling has clearly been derived from the Shinari, which we all know will influence the automaker’s future models--we got that confirmation from Mazda’s chief designer, Ikuo Maeda, last September.

The Minagi also combines Mazda's SKYACTIV technologies, which consists of the automaker’s next-generation powertrain, vehicle body and chassis designs. In the case of the new Minagi, the concept is equipped with a SKYACTIV engine and SKYACTIV transmission fitted to a SKYACTIV-Body and chassis that merge comprehensive weight reduction with ample safety features.

The aging Mazda Tribute is long overdue for an update and reports of a sharper and more dynamic compact crossover from Mazda date back to early 2007, so it’s not at all surprising to see that the Japanese automaker is working on just such a model with the new Minagi.

Any new compact crossover from Mazda will likely be called the CX-5 and go up against vehicles like the Volkswagen Tiguan, Toyota Rav4 and possibly even the upcoming BMW X1. To keep it as fuel efficient as possible, the crossover is expected to feature a partial all-wheel drive system, with drive being sent to the front wheels in most situations and the rears only kicking in during loss of traction.

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