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Mazda KABURA, a compact sports coupe, is a concept car designed at Mazda’s design center in California. KABURA is the third design concept vehicle from Mazda following Mazda SASSOU (designed at Mazda’s European Design Center) and Mazda SENKU (designed at Mazda’s Yokohama R&D Center near Tokyo), each reflecting the global influences that Mazda chief designers can draw from.

With a compact body, the Mazda KABURA sports coupe is a vehicle that combines the pleasures of sports car driving with functionality. With a rear-drive powertrain that elicits dynamic styling and a wide range of utilities on board, it was designed for first new car buyers who love to drive. KABURA is a concept car that embodies the highest elements of Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom ethos.

“KABURA” is a Japanese term taken from “Kabura-ya”, an arrow that makes a sound when fired and was used to signal the start of a battle. The “first arrow into battle” depicts Mazda’s spirit of pursuing unique and exciting ventures.

MX-3 is set for comeback

Is Mazda about to resurrect the MX-3? If the Kabura is anything to go by, the answer may well be yes!

This official drawing (right) of the concept car shows how the reborn coupé could look - and motor showgoers will have a chance for closer investigation when the sports model debuts at next month's Detroit expo.

Despite being heralded as merely a "thought-provoker" at this stage, the two-seater is said to hint at a production model for 2008. As with the show car, this will be penned at the Japanese firm's California styling studio. The centre's director of design, Franz von Holzhausen, told us: "It's an exciting continuation of the Mazda DNA, with an understanding of the marketplace and what it wants." The newcomer will be aimed at North America, but it would be possible to convert it to right-hand drive for the brand's armies of fans in countries such as Britain and Japan.

The sleek roadster boasts a compact body with only two doors. It's clearly aimed at enthusiastic drivers, and the distinctive nose visible in the sketch draws attention with its dominating large RX-8-style air intake flanked by sweptback headlamps.

There are also similarities with the MX-3, which was axed in 1996 and featured either 1.6-litre four-cylinder or 1.8 V6 power. However, one of the big decisions faced by Mazda bosses will be whether to fit the newcomer with the RX-8's unique rotary engine. That discussion should be ticking over for a while yet.

THE ENGINEERS AT MAZDA HAVE RELEASED SKETCHES of the upcoming Kabura compact sports coupe. Launching at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), the new Kabura is probably close in spirit to the preppy MX-3 sports coupe in the 1990's.

The new Kabura is the third car designed at Mazda's California design center following the trend started by the Sassou and Senku Concepts. Unlike the production MX-3 though, the Kabura is slated to remain a concept unless interests are high. Drivetrain is rear-wheel drive and is said to offer a wide array of creature features.

"Kabura" is a Japanese term taken from "Kabura-ya", an arrow that makes a sound when fired and was used to signal the start of a battle.

Legato626 wrote:THEY BETTER MAKE IT RWD!!!