So the Mazda Kai Concept is essentially a preview of the 2019 Mazda3 hatchback and the first thing that hits you like a sledgehammer is the design; a striking shape with clean lines and very dynamic proportions make the Kai concept one of the most impressive displays in this year’s Tokyo Motor Show.
The concept itself features a 50mm longer wheelbase than the current Mazda3 which should translate into more room inside and better handling. The final production car will ride on Mazda’s upcoming Skyactiv Vehicle Architecture, which is designed to offer “more comfortable and less tiring driving” and aims for “the ultimate connection between driver and car”.
Power will come from Mazda’s next-gen Skyactiv-X petrol engine which features the innovative Spark Controlled Compression Ignition (SPCCI) in order to achieve a 20 to 30 percent improvement in fuel efficiency. Some engines in the Skyactiv-X family will also come with a supercharger so prepare to get excited.
The less-is-more aesthetic continues inside, where the Kai concept clearly drew some inspiration from the RX-Vision concept with a driver-oriented cockpit that features a high center console and a simple yet elegant dashboard. There’s a perfect horizontal symmetry inside, with the driver getting a three-gauge cluster and some ventilation in front of him and nothing more.
By the time it reaches production, expect to see things like the huge 20-inch alloy wheels and the four-seat setup inside gone but hopefully Mazda will hear our cries and leave the rest as it is.
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