2003 New York Auto Show: Mazda Shows New MX Sportif Concept
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- Design Model Hints At An All-New Mazda -
NEW YORK, April 17 -- Mazda today unveiled its newest design concept -- the MX Sportif -- at the 2003 New York Auto Show. The concept vehicle was debuted as the newest incarnation of Mazda's always the soul of a sportscar mantra and was showcased alongside two additional, new-generation Mazda products -- the MAZDA6 flagship sedan and iconic Mazda RX-8 sports car. Together, with the MX Sportif, the trio of dynamic vehicles represents products that are consistently conceived and developed in line with Mazda's product DNA and fully embody three core product attributes: distinctive design, exceptional functionality and responsive performance and handling.
"A little more than two years ago, when we started down the path to reenergize our brand, we promised three all-new vehicles that would thoroughly embody the Zoom-Zoom spirit of Mazda," said Lewis Booth, president and CEO of Mazda Motor Corporation. "This newest vehicle, the MX Sportif, the third all- new Mazda in less than 18 months, clearly shows the direction our all-new products have taken."
With three new-generation products that mirror its product DNA in market by the end of 2003, Mazda expects a rapid proliferation of vehicles along its core lines with a succession of new models that consistently demonstrate the scope of its brand vision. As the company's product line expands, Mazda anticipates ultimately driving sales growth by offering more choices for customers who seek stylish, insightful and spirited vehicles in all parts of the world.
"The frequency of new and well-received product introductions since last year has been relentless, and we have no intention of slowing down," said Booth.
The MX Sportif presents the design direction for a new, global compact vehicle from Mazda. But as with all new Mazda products of late, the MX Sportif has been developed to blur the lines of traditional vehicle segmentation, offering customers far more in terms of exterior styling, overall vehicle roominess and enjoyable driving dynamics. In concrete terms, the Mazda MX Sportif presents four vehicle characteristics that will help a production version establish a strong position in the world's markets:
* Superbly balanced and linear vehicle dynamics yield class-leading
driving pleasure
* A prominent design based on distinct, muscular proportions and dynamic
athleticism
* The highest levels of craftsmanship and quality
* Optimal interior space and functionality
"This vehicle is the next chapter in the story we have been writing," said Design Director Moray Callum. "The MX Sportif takes what customers have now come to expect from the new-generation of Mazda products and accentuates it. We see it as agile, dynamic and athletic. The overall proportions are unique as they allow us to deliver exceptional interior space while retaining the compactness and maneuverability customers are seeking. The design team that worked on this vehicle pushed to make it even more overtly passionate than our other Mazda products -- particularly our very successful MAZDA6. The result is a car that we hope brings some design excitement to the segment."
A prominent design based on distinct, muscular proportions and dynamic athleticism
The guiding design direction for the Mazda MX Sportif was to develop a vehicle that is both exciting and comfortable. From the earliest stages, it was decided that the exciting aspects of the vehicle would be derived from such attributes as driving enjoyment, the balance of the car, the overall performance and the visual excitement of the proportions and shape. Likewise, the promise of comfort would be derived from the vehicle's ability to provide exceptional functionality, to please the senses through high levels of quality and to deliver great pleasure of ownership. Based on the convergence of these two elements -- excitement and comfort -- Mazda's product team has developed a design that communicates the MX Sportif's exciting presence without sacrificing the requirement for comfortable and rational packaging.
For the exterior shape, the designers drew on the characteristics of Mazda's design DNA: a sense of movement, solidity and dynamic stability. The design begins with the dynamic proportions and taut contours of the long cabin and is accentuated by the extremely short overhangs. Sturdy lines running from the prominent grille and reaching back through the hood combine with triangular-shaped rear pillars to create a powerful, confident form. The vehicle's well-planted stance is further enhanced by the graceful roofline and aggressively flared fenders -- the vehicle's strong shoulders -- both of which help create a sense of exhilarating dynamics.
Other exterior styling points are the long wheelbase, 18-inch five-spoke wheels and lamps individually fitted with trim rings to produce a high quality, refined and sporty appearance. The unique resin grille, inset door handles and shapely rear liftgate also add to the MX Sportif's distinctive identity.
For the interior, Mazda presents a sporty yet comfortable design, an overall ambience that evokes visual excitement and, thanks to materials carefully selected for their texture and appearance, adds to the overall delight of driving. The instrument panel and door trim have a simple, clean- cut form that creates a modern-looking space with an open, spacious feel. Finished in a high-gloss, piano black appearance, the instrument panel's central stack is not only elegant, it assures good visibility and ease-of-use when driving. In addition, the three-meter cluster and metallic interior accents add to the exquisite interior appearance.
Superbly balanced vehicle dynamics able to deliver class-leading driving pleasure
The MX Sportif's driving dynamics clearly indicate the direction Mazda will take in developing its third, all-new vehicle. For this show car, Mazda engineers worked to produce a highly balanced driving experience, one that is delivered through linear, predictable responses in steering feel, braking performance and engine response. Overall, the vehicle inspires a sense of confidence in the driver by providing excellent ride quality and lively performance from its 150-horsepower, four-cylinder engine.
Further-refined MacPherson struts are employed for the front suspension, while the rear features a multi-link system, which is innovative in compact cars. This innovative suspension system is mated to a new, highly rigid body with vastly improved local reinforcement in areas such as the suspension mounts. The overall package achieves an excellent balance of steering precision and stability for handling performance that is enjoyable under virtually all conditions. As for ride quality, the MX Sportif's rigid body helps suppress roughness and road noise and presents a level of refinement that will become a key selling point for the production version of this car.
Working to maintain Mazda's characteristic braking attributes of outstanding response and linearity, the engineers also worked to bolster controllability while achieving the shortest braking distances possible. This level of brake performance is designed to inspire absolute confidence in the driver. To this end, Mazda equipped MX Sportif with four, large-diameter disc brakes -- ventilated in front -- and a large single brake booster. The team has also further optimized Mazda's vehicle anti-lock brake (ABS) and brake- assist systems.
The MX Sportif's power is sourced from an MZR 2.0-liter, inline four- cylinder engine, a member of Mazda's new-generation of engines. The engine features a reversed intake-exhaust layout (with the exhaust system fitted at the rear), a variable intake system (VIS), a tumble swirl control valve (TSCV) and a high-flow port head. Thus equipped, the engine produces a linear delivery of a substantial amount of torque at all engine speeds, assuring an exhilarating driving experience.
Maximum output is estimated at 150 hp at 6000 rpm and maximum torque is estimated at 140 lb-ft at 4500 rpm. In terms of environmental performance, the MZR engine in the MX Sportif aims to meet the PZEV (partial zero emission vehicle) standard in the United States. The engine in mated to a close-ratio, short-throw five-speed manual transmission.
The MX Sportif features the latest evolution of the Mazda Advanced Impact Distribution and Absorption System body, dual stage opening Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) front airbags, as well as SRS side curtains and seat mounted front side airbags. This level of passive safety equipment -- matched to the active safety that is inherent in any vehicle with exceptional driving dynamics -- gives MX Sportif a reassuring level of safety that is expected in all automobiles. Active safety is pushed to the highest levels with the inclusion of Mazda's sophisticated anti-lock brake system and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), boosting the MX Sportif's overall handling stability and braking performance beyond their basic potential.
A high level of craftsmanship and quality
For the MX Sportif, Mazda's designers established independent standards of craftsmanship, incorporating them in ways that drivers and passengers could immediately see and feel. In addition to build quality and functional aesthetics, the MX Sportif team focused on the element of customer delight -- an area of craftsmanship that seeks to offer finish quality on par with the highest-grade cars in the world and was a key focus in the development of the Mazda RX-8.
The design team paid particular attention to more than 300 structural requirements in creating the headlamp units, hood, fenders and other areas throughout the vehicle. The goal was to further reduce gaps between parts, improve fit-and-finish levels and ultimately deliver an exceptionally refined finish quality. With the interior, designers considered the texture and appearance of all the finishing materials for the instrument panel and door trim, carefully coordinated the bright and dark elements and, with steps as simple as eliminating the parting line normally present on the passenger's side airbag housing, have been able to create a clean and uninterrupted instrument panel that is a pleasure to look at and touch.
To improve the visibility and ease of operation of the instrument panel's central section, Mazda engineers conducted wide-ranging evaluations using a driving simulator (furthering work performed in Mazda RX-8 development). The result of these studies helped determine the shape and layout of displays and switches in the MX Sportif and emphasizes the importance of the vehicle's functional aesthetics. The navigation system and audio/climate control displays, for example, were relocated even further upward, so they can be read easily with minimal driving distraction, while some switches were consciously moved downward, closer to the driver's hands. Engineers also performed a range of ergonomic studies in an effort to perfect the seats, aiming to reduce fatigue on long journeys while also achieving the exceptional and uniform support required for sporty driving.
With the MX Sportif, Mazda's design team pushed even further in the important area of customer delight and have produced a fresh and sophisticated interior ambience. The instrument panel illumination system is a good example. The three-meter cluster is the blackout type: when the lights are switched on, the amber-red backlighting is augmented by indirect blue lighting to create a pleasant glow that alleviates eyestrain. Amber-red backlighting and indirect blue lighting is also used on the center panel, for coordination with the meter illumination.
Optimal interior space and functionality
The careful packaging of the MX Sportif deftly blurs the lines of traditional vehicle segmentation. Interior roominess is balanced against the need for an easy-to-drive, compact exterior size and, in the end, the overall package assures space for up to five adults and cargo. Thus, the MX Sportif meets the demands of the compact segment, wherein vehicles must excel in a wide variety of uses and duties while retaining compact exterior dimensions.
The key to meeting these diverse demands is through careful development of the vehicle's proportions. With this in mind, the MX Sportif features a long, 103.9-inch wheelbase and wide, 60.4-inch/60.2-inch tread (front/rear) for additional interior space. The vehicle's design also features relatively upright sides with minimal tumble angle (the angle between the A-pillar and a vertical axis when viewed from the front) and one of the greatest shoulder widths in the segment.
With excellent legroom in front, ample knee clearance for passengers in the rear and substantial head and shoulder room throughout, MX Sportif has a spacious cabin area for up to five adults. The driver's hip point is set relatively high, allowing easier vehicle entry and exit and placing the eye point higher for a greater field of view. The driver's seat has been built to offer a large range of adjustment with its ratchet-type lifter and slider, allowing a comfortable driving position for drivers in the five- to six-foot height range. The steering wheel offers tilt and telescopic adjustments.
Mazda North American Operations is responsible for the sales and marketing, customer parts and services support of Mazda vehicles in the United States. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., MNAO has more than 700 dealerships nationwide.
MX Sportif Specifications
Dimensions Overall Length 171.3 in. (4350mm)
Overall Width 62.3 in. (1760mm)
Overall Height 57.1 in. (1450mm)
Wheelbase 103.9 in. (2640mm)
Tread, front/rear 60.4/60.2 in. (1535/1530mm)
Seating capacity 5 persons
Engine Type MZR 2.0L inline four-cylinder
Output (SAE net) 150 hp @ 6000 rpm (estimated)
Torque (SAE net) 140 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm (estimated)
Transmission Type Five-speed manual
Suspension Suspension system, MacPherson strut/multi-link
front/rear
Brakes front/rear Ventilated disc/disc
Tires 225/45R-18