Tokyo 2015: Mazda RX-Vision makes its case for car of the show
Rotary-engined concept is beautifully resolved, but does it really say Mazda?
Mazda has an impressive sports car history. The pretty, diminutive Cosmo Sport sits close by the RX-Vision on the Mazda stand, while the RX-Vision itself follows the RX-7 and RX-8, with Mazda’s press conference all but confirming a production car will follow on from this concept.
Mazda continues to plough a separate furrow with its rotary engine technology, which the RX-Vision employs. The engine is relatively compact, allowing an extremely low hood. The car itself is incredibly low too – its lack of stature and apparent width are the first things that strike you as you walk onto the stand.
It is an impressively well-resolved design – the surfacing is beautifully resolved for the most part while details are fine, slim and precise. A slim, wing-like theme runs around the car in its details – headlamps, rear view camera/mirrors, side vent and the rear aero-spoiler that cuts across the lamps all picking up this graphic.
However, the RX-Vision’s design does raise a couple of questions. The overall form and graphics do not clearly speak of it being a Mazda, with cues from the Jaguar F-Type, Aston Martin and some past Citroen (Survolt/Revolt) concepts. And while the proportions – with the almost cartoonishly long hood – speak pure sports car, it seems odd that the hood takes up such a disproportionate amount of car, given that the rotary unit must occupy around half the space it encloses.
Conceptually too, Mazda has abandoned the four-seater layout of the RX-8 – one of the reasons that car found so many buyers. The RX-Vision is a two-seater and speaks more to the FD RX-7 but ultimately the new car’s position and format is far less unique than before.
Nonetheless, the RX-Vision is a logical and impressive concept car. Relatively hard to photography in the dim light of Mazda’s stand here in Tokyo, it is nonetheless generating excitement around the brand. If it signals the return of the rotary engine and the range-topping Mazda sports car, it is something that many will relish.