First look: Mazda Ryuga points to RX-8

ZOOM Zoom? Mazda's well-worn but undeniably effective "zoom zoom" message might be getting a little tired now that we've reached 2007, but the Ryuga sports coupe concept unveiled in Detroit this week again demonstrated that the Japanese manufacturer is intent on maintaining a sporty and sleek theme with new vehicles.

As the preview sketch indicated, the Ryuga has gullwing doors, a striking wedge shape, heavily pumped wheelarches – which house 21-inch wheels – and an overblown, brand-reinforcing trapezoidal Mazda grille. A pointer to the next-generation RX-8? It is impossible to think otherwise, especially seeing that Mazda is describing it as an "evolved zoom zoom" which is an obvious reference to the RX-8's original Evolve concept.