This is the Mazda Taiki, a sports car concept which will be the brand’s main attraction at the Tokyo motor show later this month. The futuristic design study may not look like a feasible production prospect, but factor out the fussy ‘flow’ lines, glass canopy and stabiliser-like rear wheels and you’re left with the front-end of the next generation Mazda RX-8 coupe. One aspect missing from the Taiki's design is the RX-8's popular four-seat, four-door layout; the Taiki is a more traditional two-seat, two-door coupe. It's likely this was done for the sake of styling in the concept, but expect to see a four-door format in the production car.Like the RX-8, the Taiki gets front-engine, rear drive architecture but it's powered by an all-new RENESIS rotary engine, known as the 16X. Compared with the old unit, the 16X has a larger capacity – raised from 1.3- to 1.6 litres – and is more compact, with a direct injection system and aluminium side housing to make it lighter. Mazda says the new engine is more efficient, with improved fuel economy and lower emissions, but it’s got more torque to avoid compromising on performance. That fits in with the company’s ‘Sustainable Zoom Zoom’ motor show philosophy, which is about blending exciting driving dynamics with green environmental credentials. And to ram home the point, the Taiki will share Mazda’s stand with the Premacy Hydrogen RE hybrid concept car as well as the redesigned Atenza - a preview of the forthcoming Mazda 6.
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