A couple of interesting cars this week are the Mazda Kazamai and the Tata Nano. The Mazda Kazamai is a cross-over concept targeting the Russian compact SUV segment, and debuted at the Moscow International Auto Salon 2008. It's an evolution of Mazda's Nagare(flow)-themed designs seen at motorshows around the world for the last few years. The Taiki (Tokyo '07) is my favorite design of this theme. The Nagare design theme emphasizes aerodynamic-efficiency and coincides with Mazda's Sustainable Zoom-Zoom campaign which promises long-term focus on expanding efforts for environmentally-friendlier Mazda products. Mazda has been experimenting with hydrogen power and developed a hydrogen-electric hybrid that was shown in Tokyo with the Taiki. Mazda also has more experience than any other manufacturer with Wankel-rotary engines which emit less compared to conventional reciprocating piston engines due to higher outputs from small displacement.
The Tata Nano is new from India. Tata, formerly a truck maker, is a booming car business and purchased Jaguar and Land Rover from desperate Ford last year. That same year Ratan Tata unveiled his Nano in New Delhi. The Nano weighs 1300lbs. seats four and employs a 33-hp, 623cc 2-cylinder engine. The market for new cars in the developing world has car companies around the world frothing at the mouth and tripping over themselves for market shares. The Nano is very smart at 127,000 rupees($2600) people only ever able to afford motor-scooters could have the added safety of a car. If everyone in India wants a car why not an affordable, fuel-efficient, low-emissions vehicle.
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