The Mazda Koeru concept is meant to take the maker's design language "beyond."
While the Frankfurt Motor Show is still a month away, you don’t have to wait for a first look at the new Mazda Koeru concept, thanks to a teaser image the maker has released.
The latest in a long line of Mazda show cars is expected to provide a good hint of what’s to come from its evolving design vocabulary. Appropriately, Koeru translates from Japanese as “exceed,” or “go beyond,” and it should pick up where Mazda’s current Kodo design language leaves off.
The concept vehicle is likely to have gone through some evolution of its own from this sketch by the time it debuts in Frankfurt on Sept. 15, but this pic offers some hints of what to expect.
For one thing, there’s a more angular and pronounced grille, while the headlights grow smaller and more squinty. What Mazda describes as a crossover SUV, the Koeru concept features a low, coupe-like roofline. The sketch also reveals strong and curvaceous fender flares meant to give the concept vehicle a more muscular appearance.
It's unlikely that the new Koeru concept will hit dealer showrooms as the Mazda5.
“The Koeru expresses the power and vitality of a predator along with a unique level of refined dignity,” suggests the Mazda press release.
As for what’s under the hood, the same statement hints that the Koeru could be fitted with “the full line-up of Mazda’s latest SkyActiv” powertrain technology.”
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Past concept vehicles have given strong hints of what’s to come from Mazda, and it is likely the Koeru will be no exception. It may return in production form as the next-generation CX-9, which is due for a major refresh late next year, though some are betting it will influence the replacement for the CX-7. It’s very possible some of the design details shown here will influence both upcoming models.
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It definitely won’t return as the next Mazda5. The maker is now confirming that people-mover is going away. Mazda seems to be readying a new version for overseas markets but will not have a replacement for the U.S. where sales last month fell to an anemic 550, with demand during the first seven months of the year off 22%.