Search Car Reviews



See all makes



Mazda shows off Shinari concept

Shinari previews Mazda’s sleek new Kodo design language.

Mazda Shinari concept front

By Tom Phillips

August 2010

Meet Mazda’s future. This is the Shinari concept, which made its public debut at the Paris Motor Show. The stylish four-door coupe previews the look of the next generation of Mazdas and ushers in a new design language.

Called Kodo, which translates from Japanese as ‘soul of motion’, the new look has been created by Mazda’s new design chief Ikuo Maeda.

At the front, the Shinari concept features the familiar Mazda prominent wheelarches and angular front grille. But the newcomer also gets a dramatic bumper, Audi-style intricate headlights and Aston Martin-aping grille in the front wing.

A pair of creases add flair to the car’s side, which looks a lot like the current Jaguar XF, while at the rear, there are shades of BMW’s Concept CS.

On the inside, the concept features a driver-oriented cockpit made of a high-class mixture of materials, including leather and aluminium.

The car that the Shinari previews is likely to be the next Mazda6. However, the concept’s look will influence the entire next generation of Mazda cars.

The number of obvious high-class influences on the design show-off Mazda’s desire to become more of a premium brand, and much like a Japanese Alfa Romeo, offering great handling cars that look the part too.

The new design language replaces Mazda’s previous Nagare, or ‘flow’ look that dictated the design of the Mazda5, which has drawn criticism for its looks.

Nagare was created by Mazda’s former design chief Laurens van der Acker, who left the firm for Renault earlier this year. Van der Acker will show off the DeZir concept at Paris as his new vision for the French brand.

Tell us about your car in our Driver Power survey.

What Next

For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift!

< Previous   Next >

Sponsored Results

12 Comments

Where's the inspiration?

Anyone for a Japanese XJ?

By hermann_kratz on 31 August, 2010, 9:30am

I like it

have just seen more images of this over at http://www.autotrends.co.uk/carnews/mazda-shinari-concept/ and I like what i see

By mrg001 on 31 August, 2010, 12:42pm

That a big thumbs from me!

mrg001, Cheers for extra pics. An mx-5 with this design language would look truly brilliant, I doubt any could call that a "hairdressers car".

By koupekid on 31 August, 2010, 3:20pm

Mostly good

Actually quite nice - apart from the gaping snout. I think the current Mazda range are about the best looking cars around. A shame they have just ruined the next 5 though. The current one is a lovely design.

By pajbse on 31 August, 2010, 6:16pm

OMG

mrg001 - yeh thanks a lot for the extra pics. I have a Mazda 6 - which by the way is a head turner, the amount of people asking about the car, and even the German's admiring it! If this is the direction they are going, I am defo sticking with Mazda! Super Super Super.

By taaudi on 1 September, 2010, 11:45am

Good - it shows Jaguar is right

in its design line. Thanks Mr Maeda for the confirmation.

By vandenplas4litre on 2 September, 2010, 10:01am

The Jag that wasn't

This is what the new Jags could have looked like, except for the hand of God, sorry Ford, intervening. Sleek, positive, cooly masculine. Needs a lift just ahead of the windscreen, looks as if it might have snapped. But great!

By Tooyoo on 2 September, 2010, 10:56am

The imposing C/D-segment sized
Shinari’s exterior, which measures almost
1.9 metres wide, was created by talented
36-year-old Korean Yong Wook Cho, a
former Hyundai-Kia designer.

By rx88888888 on 2 September, 2010, 11:06am

Stunning

This looks very smart. Mazda know how to build very attractive cars. Their current range is one of the coolest around, and going from personal experience Mazdas drive very well too!

By cousins11 on 2 September, 2010, 8:15pm

1st looks... Jag

LOL, before I read other comments I immediate thought it was a squashed, stretch Jag! Bet its going to be fantastic if it sees the light of day.

By aarontp on 4 September, 2010, 12:38pm

Say "AAAAH..."

This is a beautiful design, but for Gods sake Mazda lose the grill. I imagine all dentists will be familiar with that gape...

By sgtgrash on 4 September, 2010, 6:35pm

A great looking frankenstein!

So many cars in this from Maserati and Aston to BMW and Jaguar - funny thing is, they've actually taken the best of each brands design language and forged a great looking car!

By jones_iain1 on 9 September, 2010, 4:54pm

You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join.



Sponsored Results

- Advertisement -

Pictures

Mazda Shinari concept front
Mazda Shinari concept rear
Mazda Shinari concept interior

Sponsored Results

- Advertisement -