Mazda Shinari Concept Unveiled

With most of the automotive media having its sights set on Mazda's new line of Sky engines and the promise of a revolution two years from now, the Japanese manufacturer took the opportunity provided by a press event in Italy to pull the wraps off the Shinari concept.

The model is a four-door coupe, aimed at previewing the aforementioned revolution in design and technology. The model has been created by Mazda's finest in the US, Germany and Japan, Shinari being intended to take on big players like BMW and Audi on their own turf.

"This design will lead to the next generation of Mazda design and will lead to other elements," Ikuo Maeda, general manager of Mazda Motor Corp.'s design division, said at the event.

"We want to play in the same group as BMW and Audi," Derek Jenkins, Mazda NA director of design was quoted as saying by Autonews. "On fit and finish we want the same level of quality."

More details on the surprising project are expected throughout the day, including new photos, so keep your computers on for further updates.

Earlier today, a bit of information about Mazda's future plans surfaced. According to reports, the already acclaimed SKY engines will be fitted by the Japanese manufacturer onto a new corporate platform, built as a type of space frame formed by box sections linked together.

This platform will allow for the creation of the new generation models which would account for the bulk of the carmaker's sales target in the years to come.