Jalopnik: Taiki

Chinese Customs Search Mazda Taiki Concept, Looking For 'Nam Grass?

Ray Wert — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:38:26 EDT

On the way from Japan to Beijing for next weeks' auto show, the Mazda Taiki was stopped by Chinese customs at the border for what we're told was nothing more than a random customs check. We're not buying it. We're assuming it was really to have their dogs try to find any psychedelic drugs that may have been used to create this multi-folded concept car exhibiting the "Dave's not here" design language of Ford's Japanese brand. Fortunately for the design team, the Taiki survived the check — with one of the designers, a Mr. Anthony "Man" Stoner, expressed what we can only assume was the team's obvious relief, saying "What's the Immigration Service doing here, man?"

[xinhuanet.com via autohome.com.cn]

Mazda Announces Beijing Motor Show Lineup Including Taiki Concept, Mazda6

Travis Hudson — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:30:00 EDT

Mazda has announced its duds for the Beijing Motor Show that will be taking place towards the latter half of April. To be unveiled at the show is the new revision of the Mazda6, which will be known as the Mazda Atenza in Japan. Also set to be shown off is the Taiki Concept, which looks like something even Batman wouldn't drive.

Also debuting is the Chinese-refreshened RX-8. Mazda will be showing off the Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid that includes the hydrogen rotary engine as well. Pardon my lack of excitement for the latter announcements, but that Taiki concept is still etched into my brain. What's with those back wheels?

Mazda to Showcase All-New Mazda6 and Mazda Taiki Concept at the 2008 Beijing Motor Show
Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation will showcase the European specification of the all-new Mazda6 (known as the all-new Mazda Atenza in Japan) and Mazda Taiki, the fourth concept car in the Nagare design series, at the 2008 Beijing International Motor Show* from Sunday, April 20, through Monday, April 28, 2008.

The new Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid, equipped with Mazda's hydrogen rotary engine, will be exhibited along with other future environmental and safety technologies to promote Sustainable Zoom-Zoom, Mazda's long-term vision for technology development. Around the world, the Sustainable Zoom-Zoom plan aims to harmonize driving pleasure with environmental and safety performance. Based on this vision, Mazda is committed to working towards a sustainable future that brings continued happiness and excitement to everyone by offering vehicles that "look inviting to drive, are fun to drive, and make you want to drive them again."

Mazda will also debut the freshened Mazda RX-8 ahead of its introduction to the Chinese market. The Mazda MX-5 (known as the Mazda Roadster in Japan) Power Retractable Hard Top will be shown as a reference model. A total of 16 vehicles* from nine model lines will be exhibited on the Mazda stand.

Tokyo Motor Show: Mazda Taiki Concept

Mike Spinelli — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 11:30:20 EDT

Mazda's latest in a string of radical concepts that express organic themes, the Taiki is more than just a highly stylized sheetmetal sculpture that'll never see production. It's also the forum for Mazda's next-generation Renesis rotary engine, introduced here in Tokyo. Facing down heightened emissions requirements and competition among engines that don't consume gas like we've been consuming cans of Japanese coffee — like the rotary does — Mazda made some changes to its venerable tri-corner mill. The new pride of Wankel has been lightened, by way of an aluminum side housing, and given direct-injection tech for better burn efficiency. It's also gotten a displacement increase to 1.6 liters for a much-needed torque infusion.

Press Release:

Mazda Taiki

Mazda Taiki reflects one possible direction for a future generation of Mazda sports cars aimed at helping create a sustainable society. The fourth concept car in the Nagare design series, Mazda Taiki further evolves the "flow" theme to establish a breathtaking presence that clearly distinguishes it as the next in the series, and which visually expresses the atmosphere - called taiki in Japanese - that wraps the Earth in its protective mantle. The basic proportions begin with the stretched coupe form of a front-engine rear-wheel-drive layout, the short overhangs, and the liberating feel of an all-glass canopy. The challenge to create "a design that visually expresses the flow of air" was inspired by the image of a pair of Hagoromo - the flowing robes that enable a celestial maiden to fly in Japanese legend - floating down from the sky. Inspired by Japanese koinobori - the decorative "climbing carp streamers"- the notion of creating an Air-tube became the concept word for the interior design. In accordance, from the dashboard and seats down to the door trim, the interior space creates the dynamic sensation that the flow of the wind is being visually depicted. Centering around the performance rotary engine sports packaging that is synonymous with the Mazda name, technologies introduced for the Mazda Taiki include the next-generation RENESIS (rotary engine 16X), which sets new standards for environmental and driving performance, a front-engine rear-drive layout, a unique 2-seat configuration, and Mazda's rotary sports package, which conveys an image of lightness. The effect integrates the design theme perfectly to realize outstanding aerodynamic performance.

Mazda Taiki Design Concept

Mike Spinelli — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 07:28:37 EDT

Count one more styling concept among Mazda's latest series. It's the Taiki, and it's set for debut at this month's Tokyo auto show. Taiki is the fourth in a string of concept cars Mazda designers say represent a design theory inspired by organic shapes and patterns of natural motion — sand across a shoreline, water along the ocean floor and lava from a volcano, to cite three examples designers have mentioned in the past. The first three, Nagare, Ryuga and Hakaze, debuted at LA, Detroit and Geneva, respectively. The Taiki, the press kit goes, was inspired by the flowing robes that enable a celestial maiden to fly in Japanese legend. Thus the use of sheetmetal to create a kind of rolling effect, and the multithreaded crease lines that run into a novel, semi-open rear-wheel treatment. Obviously, it's a fashion-forward way of seeing the Mazda brand, which has yet to incorporate these styles into a street model. Just wait, designers say. The Taiki is also sporting Mazda's next-gen RENESIS rotary plant 16X. Click through for official text.

Press Release:

Mazda Taiki