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Mazda Kiyora to Debut at Paris Motor Show

By Michael J. DeWane | September 4, 2008

Don’t ask me how they do it, but Mazda is is getting ready to unveil the latest of their concept vehicles expressing their flowing Nagare design language. This time it’s the Kiyora meaning “Clean and Pure” in Japanese. The Kiyora is the Urban Compact variation ever growing range of concepts being shown by Mazda. They say water is the design theme, but in more than a few of these latest concepts from Mazda, this one most of all, I’m seeing a bit of Bruce the shark from Finding Nemo. Call me crazy, but I’m telling you, this car is Bruce

Bruce, er Kiyora is equipped with a direct injection 4 cylinder and Mazda’s Smart Idle Stop System. It all adds up to something like a Mini Cooper that looks more like a shark than a bulldog.

Of course few of these Nagare concepts look very buildable as production cars, but it we can hold out hope that something as interesting as the Kiyora may find its way into show rooms in the years to come. Even now we’re seeing Nagare design language creep into Mazda’s existing line as seen in the latest version of Mazda’s 6. Also to be seen at the Paris show will be a refreshed version of the third generation MX-5 (Miata) More pictures and Mazda’s full press release after the jump.

Click on thumbnails for larger images.

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Kiyora, a lightweight, next generation, urban compact concept car, will be revealed at the 2008 Paris International Motor Show to be held from Thursday, October 2 through Sunday, October 19, 2008.

Mazda Kiyora (meaning ‘clean and pure’ in Japanese) represents the harmony between driving pleasure and environmental and safety features aspired to in Mazda’s long-term technology development vision, “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom.”

Mazda Kiyora

The concept of “Kiyora” helped the designers to imagine a city car cutting cleanly through an urban landscape, with water as the design theme. Equipped with Mazda’s next generation 4 cylinder direct injection engine and featuring the company’s unique Smart Idle Stop System, the car achieves excellent fuel economy and low CO₂ emissions. The improved aerodynamic performance of Nagare design also contributes to this. The new Mazda concept car is based on an all-new platform designed to maximize weight reduction and a high level of safety, in pursuit of enhanced driving pleasure. It also features an interior design and new functions that support a youthful lifestyle.

Joining the Mazda Kiyora concept car on Mazda’s stand at the Paris show, the Mazda MX-5 facelift will make its world debut, together with the Mazda6 equipped with Mazda’s newly developed MZR-CD 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine, and the Mazda2 powered by a MZ-CD 1.6-liter diesel.

Officially titled the Mondial de l’Automobile, the Paris motor show press days are October 2 and 3, and the public days are October 4 to 19. Mazda will hold its press conference on Thursday, October 2, at 12:15 p.m. (local time).

2008 Paris International Motor Show vehicle exhibits

Reference exhibits
Concept car
Mazda Kiyora (World Premiere)

Scheduled for sale
Mazda MX-5 facelift (World Premiere) European Specification
Mazda6 MZR-CD 2.2 (World Premiere) European Specification
Mazda2 MZ-CD 1.6 (World Premiere) European Specification

Models currently on the market
Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda5, Mazda6, Mazda CX-7, Mazda BT-50 pickup

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