Frankfurt show: Mazda plans to exceed with Koeru

THE star attraction on Mazda’s Frankfurt motor show stand next month has been previewed in a sketch released globally from the company’s Hiroshima headquarters today.

Said to be a crossover vehicle designed with the latest iteration of Mazda’s now-familiar Kodo design theme, the five-door hatchback concept has been named Koeru – Japanese for “exceed” or “go beyond”.

In a brief statement accompanying the image, Mazda says the name was chosen because “the model aims to exceed existing category standards and stereotypes”.

The only reference to under-skin mechanicals is a note that the concept incorporates Mazda’s latest SkyActiv technologies. No powertrain or chassis specifics were revealed, nor any dimensions.

Pundits had been expecting a new-generation Mazda3 MPS from the Japanese manufacturer at the show, but GoAuto has been assured this particular concept is not that, as its crossover description indicates.

However, that does not mean a born-again MPS, perhaps with the 2.5-litre SkyActiv engine under the snout, will not appear at the Frankfurt extravaganza that starts with the media days on September 17 and 18.

Today’s release of the Koeru concept comes just hours after Mazda Australia lifted the embargo on line-up and pricing details for its fourth-generation MX-5 sportscar that finally arrives in showrooms this month (see separate story).

While Mazda is describing the Koeru as a concept, it is highly likely to go into production, and considering Mazda’s position as the leading full-line importer in Australia, come to this country at some point.

But given Mazda’s alpha-numeric naming system, the Koeru tag is likely to be swapped for something else before it hits showrooms.

At a guess, the concept is likely based on one of the Mazda hatchbacks, jacked up a little and sitting on bigger wheels. The sketch seems to indicate that the wheel arches carry small flares, in the crossover tradition.

The headlights appear to be smaller and more streamlined than those of the Mazda3 or Mazda2, perhaps indicating full LED illumination. Likewise, the exterior mirrors appear to have been trimmed.

It is unclear if Mazda considers the Koeru an SUV destined to join the ‘CX’ line-up that includes the hot-selling CX-3 and CX-5 small and medium wagons, and the ageing CX-9 large family wagon.

The latter is expected to be replaced next year with an all-new generation to be revealed at the Los Angeles motor show late this year. The CX-9 thus will become the last model line to make the transition to a SkyActiv platform and powertrains.

As well as the world premiere of the Koeru concept at Frankfurt, Mazda is planning show its full line-up of new-generation vehicles covering six models, with a total of 14 vehicles taking the stage.