Among the cars to preview at the Tokyo motorshow is the Mazda Ibuki. Like the Lancia Fulvia, it's a concept based on a past classic, but in this case one that appears to be a little further from production.

The word 'Ibuki' means "breathing new energy into" and "adding vigour". The title clearly refers to the 1989 Mazda MX-5. The show car features many ingenious design cues that pay tribute to the MX-5 - the pill-shaped LED headlights mimic the original's indicators, keeping the unmistakeable look at the front, and this theme is continued throughout the car - in fact it is repeated so many times in the cabin that one loses count; from the pedals to the gearstick to the steering wheel to the handbrake to the dashboard itself. Even the seatbelt clips are detailed. This could all be horrifically trite, but is executed so unobtrusively that it works most successfully. The seats are moulded similarly to those in the VW Concept-R, but not this time in deerskin.

The oval detailing continues outside, through the wheels and door handles to the rear lights, again echoing the original's. The A-pillars are chopped flush with the windscreen, allowing the glass to run unfinished to the very top of the car. Together with the black colouring of the pillars, this gives the car an almost barchetta look. Unfortunately the lack of transverse strengthening above the glass means this bold feature is unlikely to make it to production. The body is an incredibly simple design, all smooth curves and flat panels, only broken by the suggestively bulgy wheel arches giving the onlooker no doubt as to the car's intentions. These are filled with 18 inch 5-spoke alloys, skimpily clad in 215/40 run-flat Bridgestone Potenzas.

Mazda have gone to great lengths to ensure the weight of the Ibuki is kept to an absolute minimum - a lightweight engine and body materials give a total weight under 1000 kg.

The overall proportions have changed, moving away from the feminine look of the MX-5 and towards the modern trend of a longer bonnet and slung back driving position with almost non-existent overhangs. The overall length has decreased by 35.5 cm while the wheelbase has increased, and the engine has moved a whole 40 cm closer to the driver. Together with the move inboard of all other weighty components such as the air conditioning system, the handling of the car is claimed to be dramatically improved (the yaw moment has increased a whole 15% from that of the MX-5). The double wishbone suspension is derived from the RX-8. In fact, the chassis is a cut-down version of this four-door coupe, featuring the same high-mount backbone frame concept.

The Ibuki features a hybrid power unit with an electric motor sandwiched between the six-speed box and the conventional petrol unit. The engine is a four-cylinder all-alloy 1.6-litre twin cam unit with variable valve timing and lift. The electric motor reacts intelligently, boosting initial acceleration, stopping the engine when the car's stationary, and acting as a generator during deceleration. Interestingly it also helps to reduce engine vibration.

This is the first time Mazda have gone hybrid, all the more surprising considering this is a sports car. However the powertrain delivers 180 bhp at 7500rpm, with maximum torque of 133 lb.ft - very respectable figures that certainly give credibility to the choice of motor. It's certainly not unthinkable that this could reach production. To cope with the electric motor, the car has a 42 volt battery, which could introduce all sorts of interesting results when fitting your aftermarket spotlights and sound system! Mind you the sound system at least may not be necessary - the Ibuki is the first car to integrate the speakers with the seat air conditioning ducts.

Although the Ibuki is some way away from production, it offers many clues as to what the MX-5's successor is going to consist of, and clearly suggests it's going to be even more of a driver's car than its illustrious ancestor. Roll on 2005.

Adam Jefferson - 29 Oct 2003