- MAZDA WILL TAKE HOME TWO PRIZES FROM THIS YEAR’S AUTOMOTIVE BRAND CONTEST: ONE FOR THE MAZDA MX-5 AS THE EXTERIOR VOLUME BRAND CATEGORY WINNER AND THE OTHER FOR THE MAZDA RX-VISION, WHICH TOOK THE CONCEPT CATEGORY
- THE AWARDS WILL BE PRESENTED IN PARIS AT LA MAISON DES POLYTECHNICIENS ON 29 SEPTEMBER 2016
Leverkusen, 20/07/2016.- It’s two more feathers in the caps of Mazda’s designers and the highly acclaimed KODO – Soul of Motion styling of the Japanese carmaker’s current model generation. Less than a year after its market launch, the fourth generation MX-5 “ND” has already won more than 70 awards including 2016 World Car of the Year and 2016 World Car Design of the Year. Mazda set out to create a perfectly proportioned roadster combining an aggressive KODO look with flowing lines in a package that melts away the boundaries between the interior and exterior. The result is an inspired depiction of how much fun this car actually is to drive. In a nutshell, a masterpiece through and through.
The RX-Vision also wowed the competition jury with its uniquely low-slung form reflecting Mazda’s tradition of front engine, rear-wheel drive sports cars. Eschewing elements like character lines, the RX-Vision’s shapes radiate motion with a distinctive take on the KODO philosophy. The rotary powered concept has enamoured onlookers since its unveiling at the Tokyo Motor Show last November, winning Most Beautiful Concept Car of the Year at the 31st Festival Automobile International in Paris in January and then the 2016 Car Design Award’s concept car category in June in Turin.
Initiated by the German Design Council, the Automotive Brand Contest honours outstanding product and communication design as the only neutral and international design competition for automobile marques. Established as a foundation in 1953, the Council is one of the world’s leading centres for design competence. Prizes were up for grabs this year in 14 regular as well as four special categories, with the winners selected by a jury of media, design and communications experts. Criteria include a product’s brand fit, originality and level of brand design innovation as well as functionality and longevity. Mazda captured three honours last year, including Team of the Year for the company’s global design division.
Text and photograph by: Mazda
