MAZDA’S NEW ‘SOUL OF MOTION’ UNVEILED

MAZDA has heralded its arrival on the compact crossover scene by lifting the lid off its new Minagi concept.

The Japanese company says the concept – seen as a rival to the likes of the BMW X1 and Audi Q5 – will signal a new age of design for Mazda.

Minagi, being displayed for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show, adopts the full range of Mazda’s SKYACTIV technologies aimed at producing more efficient engines and a lightweight construction for its future models.

The petrol SKYACTIV G engine achieves the world’s highest petrol engine compression for mass production vehicles – more than a Formula One race car engine – and is claimed to be 15 per cent more efficient than the current 2.2-litre diesel powerplant, while the SKYACTIV D oil-burner is 20 per cent better.

Joining the stylish Minagi on the Mazda stand is the Shinari coupe concept, a sleek, dynamic and potentially fast dream machine.

The word Shinari refers to the elastic torsion at the moment before energy is released, like in a longbow or catapult. And the car bearing the same name also illustrates the company’s new design language called ‘KODO: Soul of Motion’.

Also at Geneva, Mazda is introducing a new MX-5 special edition due for a springtime launch and offering unique features plus exclusive body colour to the popular sports car. It will be available in both soft-top and roadster coupe body styles.

To arrange a test drive of any of the Mazda Range or to find out more about the Mazda range, please call Shires Mazda on 01823 444410 or visit the showroom on Deanegate Avenue, Taunton.

TAKUYA BACK IN MAZDA FOLD

MAZDA is launching special edition Takuya models across its Mazda2, Mazda3 and Mazda6 line-ups with a total production run of less than 4,000.

The Takuya cars incorporate features normally only available with top-of-the-range derivatives.

Priced from £11,940 the Mazda2 1.3-litre five-door Takuya is the entry point into the 2011 special edition range and comes with front fog lights, black sports trim, rear electric windows, automatic climate-control air-conditioning, a Parrot Bluetooth hands-free kit and a new rear bumper sports trim.

Powered by a 1.3-litre, 84PS engine, the Mazda2 Takuya accelerates to 62mph in 13.6 seconds, while recording 55.4mpg and producing just 119g/km of CO2.

The Mazda3 Takuya is priced from £16,695. It claims low running costs with a combined fuel economy figure of 43.5mpg and 149g/km of CO2 emissions.

The Mazda6 Takuya specials are available in three different guises -  a two-litre 155bhp petrol at £20,495, a 2.2 diesel with 163bhp costing £21,675 and a similarly powered estate at £22,325.

To arrange a test drive of the Mazda Takuya range or to find out more about the full Mazda range, please call Shires Mazda on 01823 444410 or visit the showroom on Deanegate Avenue, Taunton.