Mazda is bold at Paris Show

Oct 6 2008 John Murdoch

KIYORA may sound like a drink you used to get in the cinema but this version from Mazda is intended to juice-up the supermini part of the market.

The Kiyora concept launched at the Paris Motor Show is the clearest indication yet of plans for a smaller model from the ambitious Japanese manufacturer.

And there is a strong feeling that this is one concept that will make it all the way to production in a market that is currently obsessed by downsizing. A car positioned below the Mazda2 has got to be a strong possibility.

Sustainable Zoom Zoom was the theme of the designers but, if you look beyond the swooping lines, it's clear that this is much more than a designer's fantasy.

The Kiyora wowed the crowd with its chic, modern appearance, intelligent 2+2 seating, environmental credentials and advanced technology.

Like the Kazami concept unveiled in Russia, Kiyora features design cues from the NAGARE theme and has been developed under the watchful eye of Mazda Motor Europe Chief Designer Peter Birtwhistle.

The design concept featured many gimmicks, including an ability to turn rain water into a pleasant drink for driver and passengers but there were also features that will make it all the way to production.

For instance, it featured the arrival of a new lightweight 1.3-litre unit with predicted CO2 emissions of less than 90g/km, developed by Mazda with no Ford involvement.

It also provided the debut of Smart Idle Stop System (SISS) technology.

Unlike similar systems from other manufacturers, Mazda's economy-saving innovation starts through combustion by injecting fuel directly into the cylinder while the engine is stopped, and igniting it to generate downward piston force. It is, they boast, much quicker than any other system currently on the market.

A new six-speed automatic gearbox with manual override facility is featured as the car's transmission but executives remain secretive about whether it's a conventional torque converter automatic or a twin clutch DSG-style box.

These technologies will be mass produced and willl be included right throughout the Mazda range, with SISS stop start launched in 2009 and the new direction injection engines and advanced automatic transmissions following two years later.

Paris was also the venue for Europe's first glimpse of a mid-life makeover for the world's favourite roadster.

The MX-5 has been showing the world how things should be done for almost 20 years and the revised version of the current car is designed to keep it on top.

A subtle restyle has made the topless two-seater more appealing on the eye but the evolved styling hides a car with many more innovations.

Both Roadster and Roadster Coupe body styles remain but the appearance has been sharpened up to create a look that's more sporty. The most obvious difference is to the frontal styling which has more muscle and the result is an MX-5 with more presence.

Mechanically, the award-winning rear-wheel-drive chassis remains largely unchanged but subtle suspension revisions are said to improve ride quality. A 500rpm higher rev limit allows drivers to extract more from the 16-valve 1.8 and 2.0-litre engines, both of which have a sportier soundtrack.

Other enhancements include a slicker shifting six-speed gearbox on Sport version, less road noise in the Roadster Coupe, improved optional Bose sound system and adjustable settings for the heated seats on leather-clad derivatives.

The facelift MX-5, expected in Britain by summer 2009, will also see the introduction of a six-speed automatic transmission, the first time a self shifter has officially been imported into the UK.

Like previous models, Mazda expects the new look roadster to appeal to singles, empty nesters and those who have never previously owned a sports car.