Mazda Kai Concept is essentially a preview of
the 2019 Mazda3 hatchback and the first thing that hits you like a sledgehammer
is the design; a striking shape with clean lines and very dynamic proportions
make the Kai concept one of the most impressive displays in this year’s Tokyo
Motor Show.
The concept itself features a 50mm longer wheelbase
than the current Mazda3 which should translate into more room inside and better
handling. The final production car will ride on Mazda’s upcoming Skyactiv Vehicle
Architecture, which is designed to offer “more comfortable and less tiring
driving” and aims for “the ultimate connection between driver and car”.
Power will come from Mazda’s next-gen Skyactiv-X
petrol engine which features the innovative Spark Controlled Compression
Ignition (SPCCI) in order to achieve a 20 to 30 percent improvement in fuel
efficiency. Some engines in the Skyactiv-X family will also come with a
supercharger so prepare to get excited.
The less-is-more aesthetic continues inside, where
the Kai concept clearly drew some inspiration from the RX-Vision concept with a
driver-oriented cockpit that features a high center console and a simple yet
elegant dashboard. There’s a perfect horizontal symmetry inside, with the
driver getting a three-gauge cluster and some ventilation in front of him and
nothing more.
By the time it reaches production, expect to see
things like the huge 20-inch alloy wheels and the four-seat setup inside gone
but hopefully Mazda will hear our cries and leave the rest as it is.
