MattMPS

from autocar.co.uk


Mazda will reveal this compact SUV concept, called Minagi, at the Geneva show in March, the firm is expected to confirm shortly.
This pair of images leaked onto the internet earlier today. The shots show an SUV crossover with distinct overtones of both Mazda's latest design language and, particularly at the rear, Hyundai's iX35. The car is the first SUV to be produced under the direction of Mazda's latest design director, Ikuo Maeda.
The Minagi is expected to become the CX-5 when it reaches production, giving Mazda a genuine rival for the VW Tiguan and Audi Q5. That will be particularly important in the SUV-loving US, where the Q5 in particular is proving a hit for Audi. Test mules carrying the bodywork from the larger CX-7 were recently spied undergoing winter tests.
Mazda has not confirmed the images are genuine. But a source at the firm indicated that a release about the firm's Geneva show cars is imminent.

zoom44

Well, Glad to see that finally

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

hello Mazda FX35.
not sure why but that's the first thing that came to mind when I saw the pic.

Easy_E1

iTrader: (2)

It's the new CX5! Just read about this. Glad to see they are making headway on the new design styling.

kvndoom

Give us a manual. Mini offers it in the Countryman; Mazda offers it in the CX7 everywhere BUT north Aamerica; so it's the right thing to do with a vehicle this size.

I'll take a Sky-D with that too, please. :D

MattMPS

consider that done. almost here in Europe....the car is a concept, so there are a lot of chances that production car will have SKYACTIV technologies....my 2 cents that dimensions will be pretty close to a BMW X1

2tone

iTrader: (3)

yeah, a bit like the fx, but i like the fx, so this is a win in my book!

love the grill too

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

That just won't happen, consider most idiots in the state can't even drive an Automatic properly, u expect them to be able to handle a Manual ?

bse50

It's 'cause you're all spoiled

ASH8

The Minagi threw me Matt, why not call it CX-5..lol..

I guess Mazda thinks we don't know..or Perhaps, they may be dropping their Vehicle ID's,
No more CX-, MX-, RX-...???

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

Then again, most of their concepts actually had full word names. Crossport for the CX-7 for example.

ASH8

New PIC..

ASH8

Confirmed Matt..

On January 19, Mazda Motor Corp. issued the following press release:

Mazda MINAGI Concept to Showcase Mazda's All-new SKYACTIV
Technologies and KODO Design at the Geneva Motor Show

HIROSHIMA, Japan --

Mazda Motor Corporation will showcase the world premiere
of its new MINAGI compact crossover SUV concept car during the press days of
the 2011 Geneva motor show, which is being held from March 1-13, 2011.

The Mazda MINAGI concept fully embraces Mazda's new SKYACTIV technologies and
its new design theme, KODO - Soul of Motion. The exciting MINAGI concept is
the forerunner to the launch of Mazda's upcoming next-generation products and
symbolizes the evolution of the Mazda brand as it begins a new era.

MattMPS

this is the dawn of new generation products from Mazda ,like the 6/Atenza in 2001 after the late 90's crisis......

MattMPS

is still a concept , like an Mx Crossport/Cx7...is not a 100% finished car....the final car is for this autumn IMHO (ASH, is fully SKYACTIV'd, cant'be be 100% ready in March.. )

ASH8

From Mazda Europe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU-LrKlGZEU

ASH8

More from Mazda Europe..

The Mazda MINAGI is a compact crossover SUV concept that combines Mazda’s SKYACTIV technologies — which represent the harmony between driving pleasure and outstanding environmental and safety performance — with emotional KODO design that communicates pent-up energy bursting with vitality as the vehicle nimbly navigates a sprawling urban cityscape. Fully introducing SKYACTIV technologies throughout, MINAGI is equipped with a SKYACTIV engine and SKYACTIV transmission fitted to a SKYACTIV-Body and chassis that merge comprehensive weight reduction with the assurance of ample safety features.

ArXate

Shinari = dumb down and bastardize the design by taking a good looking (even if borrowed) euro-looking silhouette and then almost randomly creating unnecessary creases and surface complexities/details/tack-ons.

Looks like Mazda gave up on true intellectual concept design and went with a derivative pseudo-european focus combined with american random gaudiness. I can't help but see a bunch of Mazda execs in a room deciding that design doesn't have to be complex to look complex, that the aesthetic sense of the mass population (read: americans) is pretty dumb and Mazda should cater to (read: exploit) that lack of intelligence.

ASH8

/\ If you think you can make an SUV out of the Shinari then you have rocks in your head

TWO entirely different sizes and two entirely different markets..

You know I just love all these experts , many who continue to 'criticize' when it is obvious they have given absolutely NO thought into the brief of what Mazda or ANY other maker is trying to do.

Today, there are just so many Design Regulations and Safety (Laws) which inhibit real design freedom.

It is extremely difficult to "include" every single element , looks, practicality, size, externally, then all the measurements internally, then ALL the mechanical stuff.

Next bring in, safety regs, Seat height, Windscreen Frame heights, frontal collision, Hood to engine height, rear collision regs, suspension, tires, drive trains, etc, etc.

Designing a large car is far more easier when all this has to be incorporated.

Making a small B segment, or C to look like a Shinari, just can not be done without it looking totally stupid...

I guess it gives us something more to Whine about.

I will wait for REAL Pics of the CX-5.

8 Maniac

iTrader: (1)

I think many disagree with you. The shinari design definitely had some flaws and needed some "clean up" but seems to be a generally better direction than before. I feel that some of the previous design features might have worked on concepts, but not so well on production cars. I definitely think that some aspects that ended up on production cars only made them cheaper in appearance, if anything. The shinari concept has more aspects that can be better applied to production models. I hope the shinari will add more class/respect to the appearance while maintaining some of the fun and sporty look.

I feel that the look will be beneficial on an aesthetic level, but also believe it will be a much wiser move in terms of marketing/sales. Whether it's good or bad, sales are what keep companies going. For a company like mazda, you need to appeal to as large of a demographic as possible.

ArXate

Actually, what I should have said is Kodo design concept, of which the Shinari and Minagi fall under.

People shouldn't misunderstand my comments to mean that I predict new models from the Kodo "philosophy" will not sell. I believe they WILL sell.

But I am very certain that I understand the Kodo design philosophy better than most anyone outside of Mazda. It is very clear to me that Mazda made a calculated and conscientious decision to simplify and dumb down and to combine gaudy elements in the front and sometimes back fascias to a generally smooth euro profile.

ArXate

Clean up? Look again close up at the the Shinari and Minagi...they ARE Kodo. You clean them up and you don't have Kodo anymore. With this second design, we can conclude that in the least Kodo is consistent and is about apparent freshness and originality that is belied by an underlying gestalt smoothness that although pleasant is unfortunately cliche and borrowed and is superceded by a bunch of random "complex" bends and creases and Bangle surface flaming (the main requirements of Kodo) and a few gaudy and random ornamentations stuck on at the front and corners.

It'll be interesting to wait and see how the 3rd Kodo design will respond to my comments here and elsewhere. I can't wait.

MattMPS

this model is specially requested by Mazda Europe IMHO, it will help to recover sales here...please, make also a 1,6 diesel FWD version...(same engine of new 5)

ASH8

Jeez, mate, BY CLEANING UP, things like Shinari Camera DOOR MIRRORS will not pass ANY Countries regulations (maybe in Russia), Just won't fly, yet...

I doubt you will see the front LED Stripe.

I doubt you will see the race look seats (where do you fit air bags?, and all the FAT People will not fit in them.

Dash, although looks good, more than likely too complicated.

And lastly, because ALL of the above, COST, THE Dash, Seats, LED's, blah , blah blah, cost a lot of $$$$$$'s.

As for "Gaudy", taste is matter of opinion.

Understand, I am not so sure.

ASH8

AFAIK, the new 5 does not have SKY-D yet..it is MZ.