Detroit Motor Show RX-8

18th January 2007

 The Japanese company took the wraps off the sports concept at the Detroit Motor Show - and with four seats wrapped in a racy body, it could point the way forward for the firm's coupé.

Called the Ryuga, the car is said to be the next step in Mazda's styling direction. However, it's still much more showstand than showroom at present, with its massive gullwing doors and huge turbine-shaped 21-inch alloy wheels. Nevertheless, the manufacturer insists that the bold grille and flowing lines will make it on to production models.

Inside, there's a whole host of innovations which could get the go-ahead. These include a neat touch-screen console displaying all relevant information in the driver's eyeline, plus a central display linked to clever cameras to send views from the rear in order to eliminate blind spots.

Under the skin lies a front-wheel-drive chassis, while the engine is capable of running on biofuel as well as petrol. The entire throttle, brake and steering system is strictly by-wire, with no mechanical linkages at all.