The Mazda RX-Vision was first showcased at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show and it has always been the ultimate expression of their “KODO: Soul of Motion” design philosophy that shaped the new generation of vehicles such as the Mazda 3, Mazda CX-30 and the Mazda CX-5.
Many of us enthusiasts always hoped that Mazda, a brand so synonymous with driving experience and vehicle dynamics, would turn the RX-Vision concept into the RX-9 coupe- a modern-day revival of the famed Mazda RX-7.
Mazda only updated the RX-Vision concept in the virtual world, where the company teamed up with Polyphony Digital to create the RX-Vision GT3 concept to celebrate Mazda’s 100th Anniversary last year. There was not much excitement as it is a racing version of the RX-Vision and the game is filled with plenty of one-off racing concept cars.
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A few days ago, patent filings by Mazda showed detailed structural designs of a vehicle. Out of 14 images, only one had an exterior body to it and it immediately excited us all. The rear shape of the two-door coupe bears striking resemblance to the 2015 Mazda RX-Vision! We wonder if the latest ‘R’ logo trademark by Mazda has any connection to this product?
The patents talk about the structural design of space frame using extruded aluminium alloy to form a chassis. Detailed drawings focused on the side sill members (where rigidity is a main concern for coupe bodies) as well as the rear axle area.
The area where the rear axle is usually housed (drive shafts, differential, suspension arm pick-up points) look very different to a standard rear-wheel-drive chassis with a sub-frame. It seems that Mazda is patenting a design to incorporate the rear suspension and transmit loading and high amounts of stress to the side sills and pillars!
It is certainly refreshing to see a premium-looking front-engine-rear-drive chassis after countless uniform-looking modular architectures for electric vehicles with just a large battery in the middle.
There is certainly no confirmation if this patent filing will turn into reality, but it sure is nice to know that Mazda is making serious progress in developing a new sports coupe. Expect premium pricing too with such technology that even BMW and Mercedes-Benz does not employ in their hardcore compact coupes.
Source: Jalopnik.com
