On another level, the Ibuki speaks towards a change in Mazda. As of late, it breaks the sharp-edged trend in its MX-Runabout and MX-Sportif concepts, both of which resulted in the 2 and 3 production cars respectively. Like Mazda's most recent offerings, simplicity and purity take the place of excessive body cladding and monstrous fog lamps. Only the massively flared front and rear wheel arches, filled with the impressive 18-inch alloy wheels, bulge out from the car's body suggesting cornering prowess. Besides, they help to give the car a little muscle, a look Miata fans have often gone to aftermarket suppliers to achieve. Frameless windshield and side windows also help to accentuate the car's exotic appearance, as do the integrated exhaust tips.
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| With the Ibuki, simplicity and purity take the place of excessive body cladding and monstrous fog lamps. (Photo: Mazda) |
Although the Ibuki measures only 3,640 mm in length, which is roughly 300 mm shorter than the current Miata, the concept rides on a wheelbase that is 2330 mm long, slightly longer than the production roadster. How did Mazda manage this? The concept actually shares nothing in common with the current production Miata, but rather Mazda has actually created a custom, chopped RX-8 chassis and fitted it under the body. The drastic modifications, namely the removal of the roof, have been compensated for by a strengthened body complete with enhanced A-Frames, and underbody work.
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| At 1.6-liters in capacity, the Ibuki's four cylinder alternative-power engine creates a whopping 180 horsepower, backed by 133 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Mazda) |
As the old saying goes, "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue," the Ibuki follows it all, right down to the word. Something new, however is accurate in describing the engine of the two seat roadster. A first for Mazda and a rarity all-round, when it comes to open-top sports cars, is including hybrid power. I'm not talking about the green Honda Insight, but rather a car that has useable power to bring a grin to the driver's face. At 1.6-liters in capacity, the four cylinder alternative-power engine creates a whopping 180 horsepower, backed by 133 lb-ft of torque. Not too shabby, boasting a higher power rating than any previous Miata.
