| Concept Model Preview | Tokyo Motor Show | Mazda Taiki |

Although a far cry from a full-blown production car, Mazda's new Taiki concept will debut in Tokyo later this month and will give us subtle hints to the look of the next RX-8. The Japanese manufacturer will also be showing off a Premacy Hydrogen RE hybrid and giving the Atenza (called the Mazda6 over here) its Japanese premiere.

Based around a two-seater, two-door coupe profile, the rear-wheel drive Taiki concept draws on design inspiration that has pencilled three show cars before it, including the Nagare shown in 2006. Most strikingly, this year's car features exposed rear wheels that give the look of bicycle stabilisers, whilst the rear end itself is an impressively sculpted, swooping design - so much so that light clusters are nowhere to be seen. An all-glass roof canopy further adds styling kudos although we expect that it won't make production. It's possible that the flavour of the Taiki will be transformed into a four-door, four-seater when it eventually hits the factory conveyor belts.

As well as next-gen looks, the Taiki concept uses Mazda's new Renesis rotary engine. Called the 16X, the engine sits at the front and boasts an increased capacity of 1,600cc - up from 1,300cc of the rotary engine used in the current RX-8 - with a particular focus on boosting torque at all speeds. The revised motor uses the same direct-injection system principle of the Premacy hybrid that helps to maintain a light and compact engine design as well as improving economy.

Also on the Mazda stand, will be a new range of petrol and diesel powertrains with a particular focus on improving efficiency and of course, power.

Kyle Molyneux - 5 Oct 2007