Penned by Hungarian process engineer Andras Veres, the Maztang is an interesting mix of American and Japanese automotive design. But there’s more to swapping the face of a Mazda3 onto a Mustang GT Fastback than many people may think there is.
“Ford had a big influence on Mazda,” said the pixel wizard, and this tie-up became obvious in the 1970s when the Blue Oval acquired a quarter of the Hiroshima-based automaker. The second generation of the Ford Courier pickup, for example, is a rebadged B-Series truck spurred by the success of Toyota and Datsun in this part of the world.
Mazda bid Ford farewell in 2015 when the Blue Oval sold all of its remaining shares in the Japanese company. Since then, Toyota entered a partnership with Mazda that includes the joint ownership of a production plant in Huntsville, Alabama. Scheduled to go online in December 2021, the state-of-the-art manufacturing facility will be responsible for at least two utility vehicles for the U.S. market.
Turning our attention back to the Maztang rendering and the olden days when Ford was calling the shots, did you know that the 2.3-liter EcoBoost wouldn’t have happened without the L-series engine family from Mazda? We also have to remember that the Ford Probe – which was supposed to replace the Mustang if it weren’t for an exclusive scoop in AutoWeek – features the GD platform from the Mazda 626.
Blending the timeless character of the most successful pony car of them all with the Kodo styling language doesn't sound that strange now, doesn't it?
On a related note, have you heard that Mazda will return to rear-wheel-drive cars in 2022? The new Large Architecture, which is going to be paired with straight-six hybridized engines, will be employed by the Mazda6 according to none other than the Japanese automaker. There’s also hearsay about the RX-9 with a straight-six motor instead of a rotary, but so far, no confirmation has been given in this regard.
Ford isn't sitting still either. Not that long ago, the Blue Oval filed a patent for a Coyote V8 engine with two electric motors located on either side of the oil pan. The S650 generation - due to arrive in 2022 - may be the first Mustang to go hybrid or plug-in hybrid.
Mazda bid Ford farewell in 2015 when the Blue Oval sold all of its remaining shares in the Japanese company. Since then, Toyota entered a partnership with Mazda that includes the joint ownership of a production plant in Huntsville, Alabama. Scheduled to go online in December 2021, the state-of-the-art manufacturing facility will be responsible for at least two utility vehicles for the U.S. market.
Turning our attention back to the Maztang rendering and the olden days when Ford was calling the shots, did you know that the 2.3-liter EcoBoost wouldn’t have happened without the L-series engine family from Mazda? We also have to remember that the Ford Probe – which was supposed to replace the Mustang if it weren’t for an exclusive scoop in AutoWeek – features the GD platform from the Mazda 626.
Blending the timeless character of the most successful pony car of them all with the Kodo styling language doesn't sound that strange now, doesn't it?
On a related note, have you heard that Mazda will return to rear-wheel-drive cars in 2022? The new Large Architecture, which is going to be paired with straight-six hybridized engines, will be employed by the Mazda6 according to none other than the Japanese automaker. There’s also hearsay about the RX-9 with a straight-six motor instead of a rotary, but so far, no confirmation has been given in this regard.
Ford isn't sitting still either. Not that long ago, the Blue Oval filed a patent for a Coyote V8 engine with two electric motors located on either side of the oil pan. The S650 generation - due to arrive in 2022 - may be the first Mustang to go hybrid or plug-in hybrid.