Mazda has a nice habit of making production cars that look like the concepts that preceded them. So we are very excited to announce the debut of the Koeru at the Frankfurt Motor Show today.
The sexy red 5-door could preview a new SUV model arriving in the next two years. But the coupe-like lines and the short 4.6-meter body are the only things stopping us from calling this the next CX-9.
You see, the CX-9 is a 7-seater, but there doesn't appear to be that much headroom under that sloped rear. So this is either simply a design study or Mazda wants to make a crossover that rivals the Nissan Rogue and Qashqai.
That's why it's called a concept – the Koeru is just an idea made from metal and glass, meant to keep us guessing. It might not necessarily go into production. Comparing this to the CX-9 spyshots, we discovered there is an overall resemblance, but the proportions are different. We also need to consider the possibility that Mazda wants a pure lifestyle SUV, like the BMW X4.
In the flesh, the Koeru appears to hunker down low to the ground, reminding us of the strong shoulders of the Mazda2 hatchback we drove recently. Mazda is well known for making cars that drive as well as they look, so we could be admiring the next benchmark for fun with the whole family.
The KODO Soul of Motion design language has changed quite a bit. The headlights seem as angry as on the 2016 MX-5 Miata, thanks in part to the "brow of the hood". Several production car elements, such as the mirrors and door handles, have been shaved to give it a more streamlined silhouette.
The SUV is named after the Japanese word for "to exceed". Mazda boasts the Koeru offers a "premium level of refinement", and that its “ingeniously rigid body and chassis enhance handling as well as safety”. How could you possibly ask for anything more.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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