When Mazda proposed its next generation of concepts a number of years ago, it posed a design  | | The four "flow" cars, at the front is the latest take, the Taiki. (Photo: Mazda) |
challenge to its international design studios to see which could come up with a vehicle to best capture the essence of “flow”. First shown was the curvaceous Nagare concept last year and now, three stunning concept cars later, its design studios are still engrossed in the idea of flow so much so that you'd be forgiven for forgetting about the whole “Zoom-Zoom” thing. Flow is the key ingredient to the brand's latest concept, and the first true sports car envisioned under this design theme. The Taiki was shown to crowds at this year's Tokyo show as a hint of things to come for the brand in style and in terms of technology.
The Taiki is a two-seat, two-door sports car with some very intriguing bodywork said to mimic the flow of the air. Taiki, the Japanese word for atmosphere, is represented in the vehicle's  | | Taiki is most unusual looking, especially with its open-style rear fender. (Photo: Mazda) |
wind-swept profile, as well as the strakes down the sides of the car's body. Inspiration for this concept was drawn from climbing carp streamers (you know, those big, cartoonish paper fish streamers) and a dress that allowed mythical maidens to fly. The end result was a glass canopy with some very unusual fenders and detailed rear styling. Indeed, all this talk of "flow" pays off in the wind tunnel. The Taiki has a drag coefficient rating of just 0.25, and what's more is that the unusual setup of the rear wheels actually helps the vehicle to obtain the desired status of zero lift. Where other vehicles might need spoilers to create downforce, the tunnel-like shape of the separated rear wheels generates enough downward thrust to keep its wheels glued to the tarmac.
Flow also dominates the interior of the Taiki, specifically the flying carp streamer. Mazda wanted car's cabin to feel like being completely enveloped by the hollowed, tubular structure, a sensation generated by the crisscross structure over the glass canopy. The physical layout of the | | Cabin is pure concept, rich with creative design. (Photo: Mazda) |
Taiki's cabin is divided between left and right, with the driver's side color scheme being dark while the passenger's side is light. The driver faces a futuristic-looking interface system which centralizes the controls around the steering wheel.
Although the exterior and the interior of the Taiki make it a real head turner, the real heart and soul of the vehicle is its engine. The rotary engine is what makes Mazda unique from other brands. Over the years, it has fostered, cared for and advanced the idea of the piston-less internal combustion engine, and the Taiki features a brand new generation hinting at what will arrive in Mazda's next sports car. Not long ago Mazda promised that it would not abandon the rotary engine type, and the Taiki is their promise in metal. The car features the | | The crisscross, flow effect wraps around and over, inside and out. (Photo: Mazda) |
brand new 16X, a continuation of the Renesis engine project. One of the key upgrades with this rotary is its size, having grown from two rotors with a displacement of 1.3 liters to a two-rotor unit that has a displacement of 1.6 liters. This should give the engine a much broader torque band which is bound to improve its in-town drivability. However, the engine's characteristics of being able to deliver high-revs (9,000 rpm) shouldn't be compromised. Mazda has also improved the engine by casting more of it out of aluminum rather than cast-iron. This will make it lighter, which is always a good thing.
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