And the
pièce de résistance is the Senku concept, which translates as "pioneer" despite it following in the trail blazed by the
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| The Mazda Sassou concept that preceded the Senku by first being shown in Frankfurt, was small and the emphasis was on cute, peppy and efficient. (Photo: Mazda Canada) |
Sassou at Frankfurt. While the Sassou was small and the emphasis was on cute, peppy and efficient, the Senku is much longer, and sports more of a serious, grown-up attitude. The Senku is also the second in a series of three concepts designed at Mazda's three regional design centres, the Sassou in Frankfurt for a European audience at the Frankfurt show, the Senku at Yokohama for the Tokyo show, and a third that is yet to come from the Irvine, California design center for next year's Detroit show. Apparently the North American concept should split the size difference between the diminutive Sassou
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| The Senku relies on a lot of subtle curves and edges for its very stylish bodywork. (Photo: Mazda Canada) |
and the long, sleek Senku, and be in the form of an out-and-out sports car.
What was I talking about? Oh yeah, the Senku. Like the Sassou, the Senku relies on a lot of subtle curves and edges for its very stylish bodywork, more ink-brush design in the metal. The concept is labeled a "four-seater rotary sports car for adults," and more on the rotary engine later. The grille seems more of a smirk shape compared to the Sassou's outright mad grin, and the headlights are simply long thin slashes tugging up at the corners of the black honeycomb pattern filling the grille opening.
