| Make
|
Mazda |
| Model |
Hakaze |
| Concept
year |
2007 |
| Production
year |
- |
| Engine |
2.3
litre 4 cylinder |
The Mazda Hazake concept is a feasible design for a possible
future compact crossover vehicle from Mazda. The Hakaze
is intended to meet the needs of a growing compact segment
trend towards SUV-like crossovers in Europe.
Hakaze (pronounced Hah-kah-zay) comes from the Japanese
word "ha" meaning "leaf" and "kaze"
which means "wind."
Like the Mazda
Nagare and Ryuga
concept cars which were displayed in 2006 and January
2007 respectively, the Hakaze concept takes much of its
design inspiration from the idea of flow and movement
in nature. "The design team took inspiration from
sports and outdoor activities in the wind or in the water
giving the sensation of being free and allows us to break
boundaries," says Mickael Loyer, lead designer of
the Hakaze, "like kite-surfing, flying, diving, driving
a jet-ski or a motorbike. We were looking for shapes moulded
by natural elements, and how the wind shapes the sand
is a key element in the exterior design of this concept."
The Mazda Hakaze concept has no B-pillar,
and the rear two-thirds of the glass roof can be taken
off in two parts and stored in a slide-out compartment
in the rear bumper. Lowering the Hakaze's four frameless
windows then converts the concept into a fun to drive,
four-seat coupe with roadster feel.
The interior design of the Mazda Hakaze, and especially
the instrument panel, is asymmetrical with a strong focus
on the driver. The wrap-around cockpit features a long
steering unit that gives a feeling of sportiness and depth.
It has orange-lit meters on each side of the steering
wheel speedometer and tachometer and in the centre
of the steering column is an LCD screen with navigation
information, images from the car's rear view and side
cameras and warning indicators all of which give an enhanced
feeling of control to the driver. The centre of the steering
wheel is fixed, only the rim and the lower arm can rotate.
Similar and related vehicles:
Mazda Furai
Mazda Kabura 
Mazda Ibuki
Mazda Kusabi
Mazda Sassou
Mazda Nagare
Mazda Ryuga
Mazda Taiki
Mazda Kazamai
Mazda Kiyora
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