By:
Sherri Tilley
| Photo: Sherri TilleyStreamlined. Muscular. Provocative. Expectant.
The future of Mazda automotive design is keenly demonstrated in the company's artistic new 'KODO Soul of Motion' style philosophy which utilizes strategically-contoured bodylines and a combination of highlights, shades, and depths to evoke an anticipatory feeling of being barely contained. Capturing the initial moment that energy becomes movement, KODO elicits the sensation of sudden acceleration even when the vehicle is at a complete standstill. Inspired by a cheetah leaping into action, this new-generation design vision is shaping the complete range of Mazda products with a particularly dynamic impact on the all-new Mazda3, Mazda6, CX-5, and CX-9. Providing a somewhat aggressive shift toward power and an alluring sense of tension, KODO replaces the organically-based Nagare design language which tended to focus on the more serene concepts of wind and water motion.
"We're really proud of the KODO design," says Craig Salsberry, Regional General Manager of Mazda's North American Operations who represented the brand at this year's Houston Auto Show. "I'm just amazed at how our Japanese engineers do a phenomenal job with the styling of our vehicles; and with the KODO design, you can see that it emanates through our whole Mazda portfolio."
The rich "Soul Red" metallic paint color of the 2015 Mazda3 that we drove to the auto show elicited an energetic vibe, while Mazda's breakthrough SKYACTIV technology gave us predictably smooth acceleration and a fantastic 37.7 mpg. Focused on offering more power while using less gas, the ground-up approach of SKYACTIV engineering harmoniously optimizes various components of the engine, transmission, body, and chassis for a responsive and sporty driving experience coupled with improved fuel economy. High-tensile steel dramatically reduces body weight and boosts efficiency without compromising structural integrity, and Mazda's i-ACTIVSENSE systems additionally offer a series of advanced safety features including forward obstruction warning, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, low-speed brake support, and more.
The interior of the nimble and compact Mazda3 (with optional scenic moonroof on our test model) features a forward-focused dashboard with 7" full-color touch-screen infotainment system operated via voice commands or by the rotary dial and short-cut buttons of the multi-function Commander control ergonomically positioned on the center console. Select up-level trims also offer innovative acoustic-enhancing perforations in the leather-trimmed seats conveniently maximizing the available Pandora , Stitcherand Ahainternet radio integrations.
After a recent Texas debut at Houston's NRG Center, Mazda's newest innovations will soon be on display again at the upcoming DFW Auto Show and at Austin's SXSW festival where Mazda is the official automobile for the next three years. Visit Mazda online for more information about products such as the internationally award-winning Mazda2, the 4-or-5-door Mazda3, the sophisticated Mazda6, the Mazda5 minivan, the stylish CX-5 which offers the best fuel efficiency of any SUV including hybrids, the roomy and elegantly-appointed CX-9, the completely-redesigned 2016 MX-5 Miata roadster, and more.
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