What's Wrong With This Picture: Mazda's Mr Minagi Edition

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

Having abandoned its unloved Nagare design language, Mazda has offered only two hints at its new stylistic direction so far, the Shinari concept and a design study on a forthcoming iteration of the Mazda3. And though both hint at how Mazda will express its “Japanese Alfa Romeo” ambitions, neither is obviously a near-production design. But with these just-released renderings of the Mingai Concept, Mazda is bringing its new design language ever closer to reality, as we’re looking at a future CX-5 compact crossover aimed directly at Hyundai’s hot Tucson (ix35 in Europe). It’s a sleek, Shinari-influenced design that proves that the brand’s cleaner, classier design direction can impart any segment with an upscale vibe. In fact, with mild alterations to the grille, this could almost be the rumored Italian-built Alfa compact CUV. For a brand that wins as many accolades for its fun-to-drive performance as it does ridicule for its “deranged Pokemon” styling, this is clearly a good direction to be headed in.


Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Zackman Zackman on Jan 18, 2011

    I think I like it except for the Conestoga wheels. What's up with making everything look like something out of Suprefly? The old Monte Carlos were bad enough, now the OEMs think they have to put wagon wheels on everything. Who thinks that is cool? The car itself - I'll wait to see one in person. Photos can be very deceiving. Grin be gone! Finally.

  • Jkross22 Jkross22 on Jan 18, 2011

    I guess I'm the intended audience, as I think this looks terrific! That's trouble for Mazda, as I drive a manual transmission wagon. Not too many of us one eyed cats out there.

    • See 1 previous
    • L'avventura L'avventura on Jan 18, 2011

      "Yeah, what’s wrong with this picture is that it should be lowered 5 inches and be the next Mazda3" Mazda has shown what this 'Shinari' design would look like as the Mazda 3. And it looks pretty good. This design language translates pretty well into different automotive form factors. http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/09/mazda-rethinks-the-3/

  • Ted “the model is going to be almost 4 inches longer and 2 inches wider than its predecessor”Size matters. In this case there is 6” too much.
  • JMII Despite our past experience with Volvo my wife wants an EX30 badly. Small, upscale, minimalist EV hatch is basically her perfect vehicle.
  • Dukeisduke Is the Volvo EX30 even on sale yet? It was pulled from the NACTOY awards because they were having software problems with the vehicle.
  • Wjtinfwb If you've only got 5k to spend on transportation, I cannot imagine a worse way to spend it than on a GM orphan from Sweden that's 15 years old with 150k on the clock and limited plus expensive parts availability and dwindling techs who'd even want to work on it. Go find a similar vintage Camry or Accord with 150k miles or even a Ford or a Chevy, whatever. Hell, even an old Jaguar is less of a crapshoot than a Saab. At least you can still get parts.
  • Kwik_Shift Brands that were considered from China include BYD, Dayun, Great Wall Motors, Maxus, Nio, Omoda/Chery, Seres, XPeng, and Zeekr. KG Mobility from South Korea also made the list of candidates.That's a lot of car companies from there ready to head here.
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