2007 Chicago Auto Show: Mazda Ryuga Concept

SEE ALSO: Mazda Ryuga LA and Detroit Introduction Video

CHICAGO, Feb. 7, 2007 -- On the heels of a highly successful debut at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Mazda North American Operations will bring its Ryuga design concept to the Chicago Auto Show for an encore Midwest display.

Ryuga (pronounced: ree-yoo-ga) builds on Mazda's concept of flow. Nagare -- Japanese for "flow" -- debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November and introduced the company's new design future. Japanese for "gracious flow," Ryuga reflects a higher level of sophistication through the use of rich fabrics, engineered fits and hidden details. Ryuga is elegant and refined, but radiates spirit and edge while portraying unique Japanese beauty.

"The Ryuga concept is an exploratory design study that's more realistic than Nagare and therefore more useful in gauging reactions from those who see it," said Laurens van den Acker, design division general manager for Mazda Motor Corporation. "Ryuga adds definition by incorporating a working interior, chassis and propulsion detail that were purposely absent from Nagare."

In addition to the Ryuga concept, Mazda will display the all-new seven-passenger CX-9 SUV, five-passenger CX-7 SUV, redesigned 2008 Tribute and the balance of its 2007 product lineup.

Launched in May, 2006, the CX-7 is a highly styled crossover SUV with a decided soul of a sportscar. Produced entirely on Mazda-derived platform architecture, the five-passenger CX-7 embodies an astute blend of sports car verve and SUV practicality, resulting in a fun-to-drive SUV that represents everything a Mazda SUV should be. Designed and engineered specifically for North America, CX-7 is the first of a number of important all-new Mazda vehicles designed and engineered specifically for North America.

Set to arrive in North American Mazda dealerships in February 2007, the CX-9 is a three-row, seven-passenger crossover SUV offering an up-market interior with class-leading space and unmatched versatility. Available in three trim levels -- Sport, Touring and Grand Touring -- the CX-9 blends sporty driving spirit with seven-passenger SUV practicality.

Completely redesigned both inside and out for 2008, the new Mazda Tribute makes a powerful statement with a bold, tough exterior and a more upscale, comfortable interior. Offering more traditional sport-utility vehicle (SUV) styling than Mazda's other SUVs, CX-7 and CX-9, the 2008 Tribute rounds out the Mazda family of unibody-based crossover SUVs, making it the perfect choice for buyers in search of traditional, go-anywhere rugged styling. However, even with an all-new exterior and interior, Tribute hasn't lost its trademark Zoom-Zoom -- after all, every Mazda has the Soul of a Sports Car inside.

Now available in three trim levels, Sport, Touring and Grand Touring, Tribute i (2.3-liter four-cylinder) and s (3.0-liter V6) models offer more style, practicality and safety than ever before. A freshened exterior design includes new front and rear fascias, hood, liftgate, power side-view mirrors, 16-inch alloy wheels, headlamps, taillamps, standard fog lights and a raised beltline. Inside the cabin, new color combinations and ergonomic enhancements improve the overall driver and passenger experience. Also new for 2008, side-impact air bags and curtains, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Roll Stability Control (RSC), Traction Control System (TCS) and a tire pressure monitoring system are standard, to maximize occupant safety.

The Chicago Auto Show is open to the public Feb. 9-18 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario, Canada, and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.

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