Mazda Kiyora concept

The Kiyora concept suggests one direction Mazda is pursuing in car development, and demonstrates a 30 percent improvement in fuel economy in line with the brand's Sustainable Zoom-Zoom plan. An entirely feasible compact city commuter car of the near future, Kiyora achieves next generation environmental performance coupled with Mazda’s inimitable driving fun.

Kiyora is powered by a next-generation ‘Mazda SKY-G 1.3L’ gasoline engine mated to a next-generation ‘Mazda Sky-Drive’.transmission — a newly developed, compact and lightweight six-speed AT with manual mode. The vehicle is also equipped with Mazda's proprietary i-stop idling stop system and regenerative braking. The Kiyora achieves ultra-high fuel economy of 32km/L in Japan’s 10-15 mode test cycle assessment, without the need for drive assistance by an electric motor or a hybrid system.

The Kiyora is designed as a next-generation compact concept born from research into the future of the global environment and the lifestyles of young city dwellers says its maker. Mazda Motor Europe’s Advanced Product Strategy (APS) team conducted an in-depth analysis of the small city car segment in Europe. Results showed that young people wanted cars that are fun to drive, easy to park and use, cost little to run and produce low exhaust emissions. The result is the Kiyora.

The Kiyora’s powertrain delivers an exceptional environmental performance as well as a powerful and refined drive with excellent response even from low speeds.

To efficiently harness energy regenerated during deceleration, a regenerative braking system that converts kinetic energy to electricity as the vehicle decelerates and uses it to recharge the battery was used. This system greatly reduces the load on the engine required to drive the alternator to generate electricity, and this translates into commensurately lower fuel consumption. The exhaust gas purification system employs a newly developed catalyst — produced using single-nanotechnology, which controls particles even smaller than those of conventional nanotechnology — resulting in the highest ranking emissions purification performance in the class.

In addition, a comprehensive weight reduction campaign gives a weight 100kg below that of Mazda2. This, together with a superbly crafted aerodynamic and efficient body, helps to enable Kiyora’s ultra-low fuel consumption.

With regard to weight reduction, CAE was employed to design an ideal body structure which includes lightweight materials such as aluminum and a special resin foam, currently under development at Mazda. These materials are found not only in interior parts such as the instrument panel, but also in the hood, tailgate and sections of the chassis. Their effective usage contributes to an improved yaw moment of inertia (by reducing weight outside of the wheelbase) and reduced unsprung weight, leading to superb handling.

With an overall length 10cm shorter than the Mazda2, Kiyora represents a further evolution of the company's design DNA, combining a signature five-point grille with 3-dimensional elements over the entire body. Its silhouette features character lines that are sleek and smooth, moving upwards and rearwards to fuse into the rear spoiler. Combined with large diameter 18-inch alloy wheels and extremely short overhangs. The transparent roof is equipped with solar panels which provide electricity to power the car’s interior systems.

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