The Mazda Hakaze is the latest of Mazda’s “flow” concept vehicles created to showcase the automaker’s design future. Motor Trend Magazine had a chance to actually test-drive the concept it steps onto the runway at the Geneva Motor Show this week.
The concept is designed around Mazda CX-7 SUV which is currently on sale. Power is provided by the Mazdaspeed6’s 2.3 liter turbo four-cylinder engine. The MT staff immediately noted, upon slipping inside, how well-lit the interior was: the roof is glass and the windshield sweeps behind the rear passenger seats.
Driving is more conventional. The staff could sense, despite their cautious driving (this is a concept!) that the Hakaze had Mazda-hallmark “zoom-zoom” sporty driving.
Motor Trends’ short but full-outing in the Hakaze can be found at the article. The staff agreed that the Hakaze represents what could be the next melding of conventional cars and SUVs, truly representing what it means to be a crossover. Possessing the size and fuel-efficiency of sedans but the height and space of SUVs, the Hakaze, according to Motor Trend, is earmarked for a possible production model along with the Kabura concept sports car.
The Mazda Hakaze debuted earlier this year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.