At the 2006 North American International Auto Show, Mazda is presenting Kabura, a design concept that ventures beyond the compact sports coupe norm to explore several fresh ideas that could appear in future production models.

To deliver the true ¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec¢®E¡Ëc¢®¡×¡Ë¢çSoul of a Sportscar¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec¢®E¡Ëc¢®¡×u that is the essence of every Mazda, Kabura incorporates the front-engine, rear-drive layout universally admired by driving enthusiasts and long delivered by Mazda¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec?s MX-5 and rotary-engined sportscars.

While this concept has been constructed over several MX-5 chassis components, basic dimensions fall between Mazda¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec?s MX-5 and RX-8 sportscars.

The Exterior

While Kabura¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec?s profile is reminiscent of classic coupes, the windshield and forward portion of the roof are integrated into one seamless glass surface that extends from the cowl to the B-pillar. Admitting extra light enhances the interior¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec?s feeling of airy space. Overhead portions of the glass have adjustable tinting so that the driver can twist a knob on bright days to change the roof¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec?s opacity, as desired, from clear to completely opaque.

Behind its B-pillar, Kabura has a two-piece glass hatch. The uppermost glass panel normally lies flush. When pivoted-up by an electric motor, the way ailerons rise out of an airplane wing, this panel serves three purposes: it acts as a roof spoiler, it vents air from the interior and it greatly augments the rear passengers¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec? headroom. In addition, a photovoltaic solar cell in the panel helps to control ambient temperature as well as recharge the battery. The larger glass hatch panel has side-mounted hinges to provide ready access to Kabura¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec?s spacious cargo compartment.

Creative Interior Composition

A standard left-side door provides access to the driver¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec?s cockpit and the rear jump seat. The right side is a wholly different and purposely asymmetrical arrangement. Removing the glovebox and minimizing the instrument panel allowed designers to shift the front passenger six-inches ahead of the driver¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec?s seating position. In turn, the second passenger, sitting in tandem behind the right-front passenger, enjoys approximately the same leg, shoulder, and headroom.

To maintain a sleek roofline while offering rear access that¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec?s vastly superior to what¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec?s available in today¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec?s compact coupes, von Holzhausen¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec?s team designed Kabura with an extra right-side door. After the front door is opened, touching a button slides the bonus door straight back and out of the way.

Kabura: The First Arrow Launched Into Battle

"Kabura" is a Japanese term taken from ¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec¢®E¡Ëc¢®¡×¡Ë¢çKabura-ya¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec¢®E¡Ëc¢®¡×u, an arrow that makes a howling sound when fired and was historically used to signal the start of a battle. The ¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec¢®E¡Ëc¢®¡×¡Ë¢çfirst arrow into battle¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec¢®E¡Ëc¢®¡×u depicts Mazda¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec?s spirit of pursuing unique and exciting ventures - such as the rotary engine.