Mazda Senku concept

The Senku follows the Sassou shown last month at Frankfurt in being a concept exploring the possible next step for Mazda's design language. Whilst the Sassou did this relative to the Mazda 2, the Senku does this relative to the RX-8, although it is slightly larger in all dimensions and its near monospace profile accentuates its size.

The exceptionally sleek exterior is notable for a very fast screen, its incorporation of all lighting in the grille and rear window graphics, and for its sensuous surface language. The interior is similarly luscious, with three red leathers used for the seating and IP, as well as thick black leather and fur on the centre console and door inners. The way the single surface rear seat flows to the floor and under the front seats is particularly unusual.

The star of the show? We thought so and so did most of the designers we spoke to, most of then from rival brands who might have hoped to have had the critical acclaim being heaped on the Senku.

Design Review coming soon...

Related Stories:
Frankfurt Motor Show 2005 - Mazda Sassou concept

Audi Shooting Brake concept

Ten years ago last month, the Audi TT was shown at Frankfurt, an accurate preview of the production car that soon followed. Few cars have ever received such universal acclaim, been so influential, and been advanced enough to still seem avant-garde a decade later. Replacing this iconic design is no easy task, and perhaps this is best illustrated by the Shooting Brake concept that now previews its replacement.

Dominated at the front by a very large grille with vertical chrome slats, the car's most interesting feature is the unusual 'shooting brake' rear which has a prominent 'S' shaped shut line where the tailgate and wrap-around rear lamp meet the body side; a development of an Audi feature introduced on the Q7.

Although the defining rear of the Shooting Brake will likely differ to the expected coupe body style of next year's production car, the design otherwise accurately previews the next TT. And unfortunately it is an uncomfortable merge of TT with new romantic Audi form language which proves that developing the purest embodiment of previous formal Audi design into a version of new 'emotional' Audi design, can only result in compromise.

Nissan Foria concept

The Foria is an elegant coupe that showcases Nissan's forthcoming small front-mid engine rear wheel drive platform that enables the car to have a long hood and upright screen. These classic rear wheel drive coupe cues are complemented by a long wheelbase and short overhangs, which in turn allow for a four seat cabin, in this case accessed through Mazda RX-8 style doors.

The classic coupe feel is also evident in the exterior theme, most notably with hints of the little known Datsun Silvia of 1964 (or better known Lancia Fulvia) in the shallow shoulder surface that wraps horizontally around the car and contributes to its strong, potent feel. But despite this, the Foria is a relatively non-macho design: witness its delicate door mirrors, slim door handles, and the exquisite cut crystal headlamps.

The interior is similarly refined with thick brown leather covering the IP, a floating backlit panel that connects through both doors and reflects an ambient light off metallic fabric, and no gratuitous instrumentation.

The Foria may be the most reserved Nissan concept car at Tokyo this year, but arguably it is the most handsome.

Design Review coming soon...

Suzuki Ionis concept

The Ionis is a futuristic fuel cell minicar that offers exceptional interior space for a 3.4 meter vehicle. Key to this concept are the four rearrangeable seats that can move sideways as well as fore-aft to offer a number of different seating layouts, including a central driving position. Drive by wire technology allows the whole steering wheel, IP, seat and pedals to move a few inches across the car, though quite what this achieves in such a narrow car is debateable.

The exterior profile of the Ionis is nicely-proportioned, with plenty of entertainment and dramatic graphics in the surfaces to break up what might otherwise be a slab-sided small monobox. Apart from the grumpy double-slot motif used at front and rear, the design is notably more original and refined than other Suzuki concepts on display here.

Chrysler Akino concept

Compared to the concept sketches released two weeks ago, the final Akino model seen today is much more refined and solid looking. The conservative face is replaced with a neat Chrysler wing emblem and the complex glass graphics are clearer and simpler than shown in the sketches. The recessed tailgate has a distinctive concave section flanked by vertical taillamps, a little like the superseded Fiat Punto or some recent Renault concepts.

The interior of this small concept from Chrysler's Pacifica studio in California is accessed via barn-type doors on one side and a single door on the other. Key features include a wave-shaped rear sofa, with beige suede and rattan used on the doors. “I wanted the soothing, comforting feeling of a living room on the interior surrounded by an elegant form that reflects the Chrysler brand” explains female designer Akino Tsuchiya. It's not often that one designer gets to do the exterior and interior of a show concept, let alone has it named after them. She should be rightly proud.

Lexus LF-Sh concept

It's called a concept here but in reality this is next year's new Lexus LS model, complete with hybrid 4WD drivetrain and V8 engine. The design follows that of the smaller IS and GS Series with a typical Lexus long nose and short tail profile to give a consistent and much sportier look than the current LS model. Characteristic Lexus design cues include a crisp shoulder line, fast C-pillar with the slingshot DLO shape and an A-pillar that flows into the hood. There's an elegance to the design that was always lacking in previous generations of the LS, yet it also manages to avoid the rather bulky look of the GS Series too.

So, expect a truly handsome LS at last - Lexus is jumping right into that style 'sweet spot' that the Mercedes S-Class just vacated.

Page 2 of 5