Nagare no more? Mazda to change styling direction

[Silentnoise713]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/23/nagare-no-more-mazda-to-change-styling-direction/

According to Auto Express, Mazda Europe's British design boss Peter Birtwhistle has confirmed that the Japanese automaker will take on a new styling direction. Perhaps the news shouldn't come as a shocker, considering that former Mazda design head Franz von Holhausen, the man responsible for the previous styling direction of concepts like the Nagare and Furai, left Mazda for Tesla Motors back in 2008.

Further, Laurens van den Acker, who styled the latest Mazda5, left the Japanese automaker for Renault. As such, Birtwhistle told AE, "Nagare is done. After the 5, it's highly unlikely that there will be another Nagare car. Mazda has moved on." Apparently, Mazda found it rather difficult to apply the swoopy and flowing conceptual styling direction to production cars, specifically boxier shapes like that of the Mazda5.

We tend to agree with Mazda that the Nagare look is awesome on concepts but tough to translate to production. So, what's next? Apparently, Mazda will attempt to turn itself into a "Japanese Alfa Romeo," with an initial concept based on its new "Thrusting Motion" styling direction. We should see the fruits of this early effort at the upcoming Paris Motor Show.

I have mixed emotions right now. Noticed they called out the Mazda 5. It could potentially be the first and last car with the Nagare design theme. I think they finally got the message that people do NOT like the big smiley face, nor the swoopy slide lines. I hope this is the end all to the current design theme.

However, I can't help but feel disappointed that the 2011 Mazda 5 will go into production with all that is wrong... It is too close to launch date for Mazda to change that now. What are the odds that they'll do a midyear model refresh and get rid of the swoopy lines?

On the other hand, 2011+ Mazda 5 buyers could have a one-off collection in their hands. What is ugly now could be worth a lot in the future (mini-van?)..

 

[Robotazky]

On the other hand, 2011+ Mazda 5 buyers could have a one-off collection in their hands. What is ugly now could be worth a lot in the future (mini-van?)..

I think this will be the case. The lines on the side have actually grown on me. It's the rear end that is a major turn off to me. I think the smiley face can be fixed with aftermarket grills and such, or paint. I have mixed feelings also.

 

[xxxmonoxidechil]

the 5 is the only one i like the design on. the new 3, and new 6 look like ass.

 

[Silentnoise713]

I think this will be the case. The lines on the side have actually grown on me. It's the rear end that is a major turn off to me. I think the smiley face can be fixed with aftermarket grills and such, or paint. I have mixed feelings also.

The 'collector' car comment was meant tongue in cheek. If the Mazda 5 was a sports car or something highly desirable car -definitely! However, it is not so I see it destined to become the next GMC Pacer.

I like the current vertical tail lights too as it helps to differentiate the Mz5 and make it seem less van'ish more wagon. I don't care for the new standard horizontal lights but I do like that it frees up the rear quarter to allow for a uniform warp around window look. Perhaps they could have incorporated vertical tail lights in there somehow or just back them out (NHTSA prob disapprove).

 

[thaxman]

GMC Pacer? Sorry to be a stickler, but I believe you meant the AMC Pacer, the fishbowl sibling of the awful Gremlin.

As for Nagare, I disliked the showcars, but liked the swoopy beltline theme on the '11 MZ5. I vehemently dislike the grin, though, but the tailights are neutral to me.

I find it curious that the Nagare theme was pushed onto a Japanese company by a pair of Germans.

 

[professorhank]

I have mixed emotions right now. Noticed they called out the Mazda 5. It could potentially be the first and last car with the Nagare design theme. I think they finally got the message that people do NOT like the big smiley face, nor the swoopy slide lines. I hope this is the end all to the current design theme.

However, I can't help but feel disappointed that the 2011 Mazda 5 will go into production with all that is wrong... It is too close to launch date for Mazda to change that now. What are the odds that they'll do a midyear model refresh and get rid of the swoopy lines?

Great news, I was thinking if Nagare continued, I'd be done buying Mazdas for awhile. I hope the 2011 won't "tarnish" the model name (with possible corresponding low sales figures) to the extent that Mazda won't export future redesigns after it.

Funny thing, I was curious what this Alfa Romeo thrusting motion looked like so I typed those 4 words into Google and I found several webpages referencing the Mazda article but absolutely nothing about Alfa Romeo design concepts.

 

[mpvue]

when I read 'thrusting motion' I get another idea entirely...

 

[Silentnoise713]

Funny thing, I was curious what this Alfa Romeo thrusting motion looked like so I typed those 4 words into Google and I found several webpages referencing the Mazda article but absolutely nothing about Alfa Romeo design concepts.

The article is saying Mazda wants to turn itself into Alfa Romeo like status and their new design direction is 'thrusting motion' -two independant topics. 'Thrusting motion' has nothing to do with Alfa's design concept.

Google 'Mazda thrusting motion' and found this.
http://www.themotorreport.com.au/50494/mazda-moving-away-from-nagare-design-language

He added that a number of different concepts are in the works already, under the working title of "thrusting motion" - a phrase that carries connotations in the west that may not have been apparent to the brand's Japanese management.

mpvue - you hit it right on the head (hand)

 

[mpvue]

mpvue - you hit it right on the head (hand)

great, and you just made it worse, OUCH!

 

[professorhank]

The article is saying Mazda wants to turn itself into Alfa Romeo like status and their new design direction is 'thrusting motion' -two independant topics. 'Thrusting motion' has nothing to do with Alfa's design concept.

Thanks for clarifying this. I re-read the sentence and it makes much more sense now.