Mazda Shinari Concept Debuts KODO - Soul of Motion Design Theme

After presenting the Shinari concept a few days ago, the Japanese manufacturer revealed the model has been created to introduce the company’s new design theme and has further detailed it. Dubbed “KODO - Soul of Motion,” the new design theme is inspired by the world of animals.

Currently, four design studios located in Japan (Hiroshima and Yokohama), Europe (Frankfurt, Germany), and North America (Irvine, California) are working on incorporating the KODO in Mazda’s future products.

“In our work to further evolve the expression of motion, Mazda Design has focused on the strength, beauty and tension found in the instantaneous movement seen in animals. This motion that is so full of vitality that it stirs the emotions of those who see it. We have named it ‘KODO – Soul of Motion’, and our aim is to express movement with forceful vitality and speed as the design theme for Mazda’s upcoming models,” explained Ikuo Maeda, the head of Mazda’s Design Division.

Mazda says the word ‘shinari’ describes the powerful yet supple appearance of great resilient force when objects of high tensile strength, such as steel or bamboo, are twisted or bent. It also refers to the appearance of a person or animal as it flexes its body in preparation for a fast movement, and it is these images that form the basis for the name of this concept car.

The Shinari concept incorporates a further evolution of the front fenders on the RX-8, as well as a three-dimensional sculpting of the front grille and an aluminum floating bar. Inside, the car links ergonomics with basic mechanical functions, while the driver is capable of switching between three mode: Business, Pleasure and Sport.

You can get the full details of the concept car and design theme in the PDF press release bellow.