NEW MAZDA MX-FLEXA CONCEPT: 

FUNCTIONALITY TAKEN TO THE NEXT LEVEL

- Design Model Hints at an All-New Mazda -

NEW YORK - Mazda will use the 2004 New York International Auto Show to debut its striking new concept vehicle, the MX-Flexa.  The six-seat Mazda space wagon, the fifth concept vehicle introduced in the past six months from Mazda, demonstrates a possible direction Mazda can take for future wagon designs.

"The space wagon segment is growing exponentially in many markets around the world—especially Europe," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazda North American Operations.  "With our engineering know-how and deep consumer understanding, this is a new segment where Mazda can inject even more Zoom-Zoom into the North American market."

Born at the Mazda Design Studio in Hiroshima under the direction of Moray Callum, Mazda design director, and Chief Designer Koji Tabata, the MX-Flexa project has allowed Mazda's design department to inject some highly potent emotion into the space-wagon segment, while breaking ground for a future product.  

"A six-passenger vehicle that looks athletic and dynamic even when standing still is a very unique and exciting concept," said Callum.  "This athletic tension in design has been a theme of many recent Mazda products, including the new RX-8 and recently launched MAZDA3."                                                 

            The MX-Flexa name is derived from the word "flexibility," and flexibility has long been a key attribute of all Mazda vehicles—from seats that can be folded using only one hand to a four-door sports car.  The MX-Flexa concept is based on architecture borrowed from the all-new MAZDA3 and modified to support the larger vehicle size and unique customer expectations.  

Stylish and Athletic Design with Uncommon Balance

The design team understood that the interior must be balanced against exterior dimensions to ensure maneuverability and performance driving dynamics were not compromised.  With the MX-Flexa concept, Mazda presents what it believes to be the right balance between exterior dimensions and interior room.  With an overall length of 176 inches, a width of 68.7 inches and a stretched wheelbase of 108 inches, the MX-Flexa is surprisingly roomy yet demonstrates the agile performance synonymous with Mazda.

The vehicle's Sora Blue exterior, for example, relies heavily on solid proportions and an athletic stance.  The proportions of the MX-Flexa are balanced carefully to produce an overall graceful, flowing shape.  The strong hood line and smoothly raked windshield help provide a sleek, motion-inspired appearance.  To create a feeling of solidity through the design, short front and rear overhangs are complemented by sophisticated, five-spoke 18-inch wheels wrapped in 235/50R-18 tires.

While the five-point grille remains a signature element in all Mazda products, Mazda's design studio continues to offer fresh interpretations of this eye-catching element when developing concept cars.  A large Mazda "winged-M" is positioned proudly in the center of the MX-Flexa's grille to ensure the space wagon is clearly identified as a Mazda.

Class-Leading Craftsmanship and Quality

The same meticulous care taken in designing the attractive exterior of the MX-Flexa was extended to the interior.  A uniquely styled center console houses the main controls, a design element chosen for improved visibility and functionality.  The shift lever is located in the center panel and neatly combines with the other key controls, all in perfect reach of the driver.

White, silver and blue surfaces were used to emphasize brightness within the interior space and create an aura of freshness.  To create an emotional connection with consumers, the design team carefully chose materials, color schemes and forms that would exude a high level of quality and spark an emotional response. 

The instrument panel is rendered in a sparkling silver finish, offering exceptional visibility and a fresh, bright appearance.  The three-meter cluster takes shape in a visually pleasing overlapping design. 

Optimal Interior Space and Exceptional Functionality

The cabin layout of the MX-Flexa features six seats.  Each seat is an individual, leather-covered captain's chair designed with comfort and support in mind.  The six chairs are nearly identical in width to ensure almost uniform comfort throughout the cabin and are positioned to minimally compromise storage space.  Both rows of seats fold away quickly and easily, adding to overall interior flexibility.
           The second row of seats features Mazda's lift-and-fold approach, with the lower cushion being lifted forward and the seatback being folded down, resulting in a nearly flat cargo floor, even without removing the headrests.  The two seats in the third row feature a one-touch function, whereby the seats can be folded by simply pulling a lever at the seat back.

The design team's emphasis on functionality extends to unique features such as the detachable cool/warm box located in the large center console.  The box fits into a console between the front seats and works as an in-vehicle refrigerator.  It also can be removed and carried as a portable cooler.

Another example of the careful consideration given to the concept's overall functionality is the E-ZZ-FOUR bike rack.  The concept rack system was designed and developed specifically for the MX-Flexa and allows up to four bikes to be transported easily at one time, two inside the vehicle and two outside. 

The E-ZZ-FOUR bike rack system features four sliding rails, two of which are integrated into the ceiling within the cabin and two on the roof.  Bikes are attached directly to the four rails and then slid neatly into place.  A key design target of the bike rack was to ensure the fluid integration of the system into both the interior and the exterior vehicle design.

Adding to the practicality of the MX-Flexa are dual sliding doors that offer a generous 27.5-inch opening on each side, allowing for easy ingress and egress.  Keeping the consumer in mind, Mazda made every effort to create sliding doors that are extremely easy to operate, particularly for younger children.
Driving Dynamics

Mazda believes even space wagons should deliver Mazda's signature driving dynamics and provide responsive, neutral handling and linear, controllable braking.  Through Mazda, space wagons can indeed be Zoom-Zoom, combining a fun-to-drive element with the maneuverability and comfort required for city driving.
            The concept vehicle features a transverse-mounted, 16-valve, 2.3-liter MZR engine—a popular and proven powertrain well received by consumers in both the MAZDA6 and MAZDA3.  The concept vehicle also features Mazda's four-speed Sport ShiftTM transmission that can be operated in automatic mode or in a manual shift mode.

 The development team further refined a suspension and steering system based on the architecture of the MAZDA3.  With MacPherson-type struts in the front and a multi-link suspension in the rear, as well as anti-roll bars in the front and rear, the design team hit the bull's-eye: a neutral-handling vehicle with solid, high-speed driving stability.  The steering standard was equally high: exceptional consistency, linear feel and precise responsiveness.  To this end, the development team chose to include Mazda's electronic power-assist steering system.

Importance of Emotional Appeal
            As the MX-Flexa concept demonstrates, Mazda believes the key to further growth and success in the space-wagon segment is to combine strong emotional appeal through styling and driving dynamics with the practicality that customers rightfully expect from a space wagon.  The design team's work to balance these qualities—both the emotional and rational appeal—will place Mazda as the frontrunner in the space-wagon market.  With the MX-Flexa, Mazda demonstrates the intensity of emotional appeal that will draw customers to a future Mazda space wagon.

Mazda MX-Flexa's Specifications

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