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Mazda Nagare

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This article is about the concept car. For the design series of the same name in which this car is part of, see Mazda Nagare (car design).
Mazda Nagare
Overview
ManufacturerMazda
Production2006
DesignerLaurens van den Acker
Body and chassis
ClassConcept car
Body style2-door coupe
RelatedMazda Taiki
Mazda Ryuga
Mazda Hakaze
Mazda Furai
Powertrain
EngineRumored hydrogen-fueled rotary engine
Chronology
SuccessorMazda Furai

The Mazda Nagare (マツダ・流, Matsuda Nagare) (pronounced “nah-gah-reh”) was a concept car that was introduced by Mazda at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show. The Nagare was considered to be an exercise in natural and organic car design to explore the future of Mazda automobiles. Its name “Nagare” translates into English as “flow” and the designers specifically studied motion and the effect it has on natural surroundings when creating this vehicle.

It was designed by Laurens van den Acker, Mazda's global design director at the time (since replaced by Ikuo Maeda), and his advanced design studio team in Irvine, California. As head of the international Nagare design team, Laurens’ main task from Mazda was to design first and engineering later. He has since been replaced by Ikuo Maeda.

“The Nagare is a celebration of proportions and surface language that will evolve into subsequent designs planned for presentation at future international auto shows. Nagare examines light and shadow, and begins to reveal the global design cues for the next generation of Mazda vehicles,” said Laurens. “We’re looking well down the road with Nagare. We want to suggest where Mazda design will be in 2020. To do that, we redefined basic proportions and the idea of driving without losing the emotional involvement. Mazda’s driving spirit will be enhanced and intensified by Nagare.”

Styling

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The Mazda Nagare was a celebration of proportions and surface language according to its designers. Its bodylines flowed like liquid across its smooth seamless design and there were no distinguishing marks that detracted from the overall theme of the car. It had a large windshield that raked at a very steep angle molding itself into the glass roof of the car. Its large and aggressive wheels were wrapped into the wheel wells, incorporating them as a part of the body.

Two double-length doors hinged forward when opened and spread from the cabin like the wings of a butterfly. Inside, you could find the driver's seat centrally located in the front of the cabin and three passenger rear seats arranged in a "wrap-around lounge" in the back. The interior continued the Nagare's organic themes with futuristic elliptical controls and dials relating information to the driver.

Engine

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Powertrain details are largely speculated at this time. Mazda has never released any information on the specifics of the engine and its performance because they wanted to focus on the design elements of the car. Some believed that the Nagare could have been equipped with a future Mazda hydrogen-fueled rotary engine.

Technical Details

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Mazda is maintaining the soul of a sports car, like all their products, with the design of the Nagare. The body work was not only form but functional in decreasing wind drag. The wheels of the Nagare were also positioned at the far corners of the envelope for quick steering response and agile maneuverability.

Production Applications

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The 2010 Mazda3 is advertised as having "Nagare-inspired illuminated headlight details" on the top-of-the-line Grand Touring trim.

The 2012 Mazda5 was Mazda's first car to receive "Nagare design", including the curving lines along the sides of the vehicle.[1]

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  • 2006 Los Angeles International Auto Show
    2006 Los Angeles International Auto Show
  • Rear view
    Rear view

References

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  1. ^ Chang, Richard (2010-01-20). "New Mazda 5 Is First to Have Nagare Design". New York Times.
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