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| Click to enlarge |  | | Mazda MPV Photo: Perry Stern | | | Click to enlarge |  | | Mazda RX-8 RE Photo: Perry Stern | | | advertisement | | |
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While there were a number of new and advanced vehicles on the Mazda stand at the Tokyo Show, the obvious star was the new Senku concept. Described as a "four-seater rotary sports car for adults", the sleek-bodied car looks fast standing still. Wheels are positioned at the corners, and one large electric-powered door on each side slides back providing easy access to the interior.
The interior design is just as simple and clean as the exterior. All instruments are located in the middle of the steering wheel, and rear seats are almost not existent. The press materials point out that "personal space was designed to give priority to the people seated in the front seats."
Not only does the Senku look futuristic, its powertrain is quite advanced as well. The concept features a hybrid system that teams a direct-injection rotary engine with an electric motor. Solar panels provide additional electric power.
Also of importance was the introduction of the all-new MPV for the European and Asian markets. Providing all the utility and roominess expected from a minivan, the new MPV still keeps with Mazda's "Zoom-Zoom" brand personality. With the introduction of this new minivan, Mazda's new-generation model lineup in Japan is complete. There are currently no plans to bring this version of the MPV to North America.
Mazda also showed the first production hybrid model to wear the company's brand. The Tribute SUV—a twin to the Ford Escape—will feature a hybrid powertrain in North America. More mass-produced hybrid vehicles are expected in the future.
The automaker also featured two other alternatives to the standard internal combustion engine. Next spring, the RX-8 RE powered by a hydrogen-fueled rotary engine will be available for lease. This is six months sooner than originally planned. The Premacy RE, which is a bit further away from production, incorporates a hydrogen rotary engine, offering dual fuel driving with hydrogen and gasoline, in tandem with an electric motor.
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