Press Release
Athletic and Futuristic Interior Design
The interior of the MX-Crossport design concept was developed to present visually an athletic, Zoom-Zoom theme similar to the exterior, with special attention placed on creating an atmosphere of quality and craftsmanship. Like the flagship Mazda RX-8, the MX-Crossport features four bucket seats ?????????????????????????????????????? it is more of a sports car than a family car. The interior presents an overall environment of comfortable driving pleasure, with an emphasis on driving.When viewed from the exterior, the cabin is small and compact, but special design measures were taken to create an interior space that is both roomy in size and modern in appearance. Key to delivering the feeling of room and space are the "floating" seats; each seat is fastened to the floor with a single, center-mounted post and adjustable via a "monorail" system mounted in the floor. With generous amounts of top-quality, semi-aniline leather, a black mesh highlight line running down the center and integrated safety belts, the seats present a modern and sporty image. Further emphasizing the high-tech image, as well as adding an extra visual pleasure for the rear-seat passengers, the back of the front seats are aluminum and acrylic, with the well-designed mechanism of the safety belts clearly visible, not unlike the back of a high-class, mechanical wristwatch.
Additionally, when the individual rear seats are folded down, they connect neatly to the rear cargo area, providing sufficient, easy-to-access storage space.
From the driver??????????????????????????????????????s seat, the view is pure Mazda RX-8, with a three-dial instrument cluster and a thick three-spoke steering wheel. The cockpit-type driver??????????????????????????????????????s area is defined by a small meter hood placed just in front of a large "roof" that stretches across the entire instrumental panel ?????????????????????????????????????? called a "double roof" ?????????????????????????????????????? at the base of the windshield. The double roof has the effect of unifying the front of the cabin, bringing together the driver and front passenger.
The ceiling of the MX-Crossport is made up almost entirely of glass, which adds to the open, airy feeling of the interior. This large variable-mist glass roof can be operated to change from clear to translucent white and back again instantly. Being able to adjust the amount of light flowing into the vehicle in this manner enriches the comfort of the cabin space.
The ceiling of the cabin also features a neatly integrated and highly flexible overhead console running the length of the vehicle and is able to accommodate various attachments such as a rear entertainment display and a range of additional storage compartments.
Three Panel Display System Advances the Zoom-Zoom Driving Experience
The MX-Crossport features an advanced, multi-use information display and entertainment system designed to be intuitive and easy to use. The Three Panel Display system brings together three important features ?????????????????????????????????????? a hemispherical monitor which can be used as a touch panel (called the "handling panel") mounted above the center console, just to the right of the steering wheel; a second "status monitor" mounted above the handling panel; and a third "entertainment monitor" to the right, mounted immediately ahead of the front passenger.The information portion of the Three Panel Display (the handling panel and status monitor) features numerous driving support functions such as vehicle diagnosis upon engine start-up, safety instructions, monitoring of blind spots, parking guidance, satellite navigation system and emergency information. Additionally, the system features basic audio and climate controls functions and can be used to send and receive e-mail and reach the Internet. The handling panel and status monitor are positioned carefully within the instrument panel to be easy to use for the driver and not distracting to the overall driving experience. The two screens are integrated neatly into the overall vehicle design.
The third element of the Three Panel Display, the entertainment monitor, is designed to help share the driving excitement with the front passenger by providing a "virtual view" from the driver??????????????????????????????????????s seat and beyond. Using a unique 365mm x 80mm (15" wide) liquid-crystal display screen and five cameras, the entertainment monitor offers four unique views of the road. Specifically, there are the Driver??????????????????????????????????????s Eye View, Front Wheel View, Super Low Angle and the Rear Wheel View.
Driver??????????????????????????????????????s Eye View, for example, offers a view of a real-time display of the three-dial instrument cluster from the driver??????????????????????????????????????s seat. Front Wheel View, conversely, offers a three-screen view of the road ahead (the Driver??????????????????????????????????????s Eye View, plus a view from cameras mounted in each of the two side-view mirrors), not unlike a popular racing video game. Also, the entertainment monitor also can be switched to DVD mode for the front passenger during a long drive.
High Quality Utility with a Mind Toward Innovation
A number of unique, high-quality features with a touch of innovation are incorporated throughout the MX-Crossport??????????????????????????????????????s interior. The gearshift lever, for example, features two distinct positions for the two drive modes ?????????????????????????????????????? automatic and manual. In automatic mode, the gearshift is tilted forward to lie nearly flat on the center console and gears (reverse, drive, park, etc.) can be chosen with the simple push of a button on the topside of the gearshift lever. For manual mode, the gearshift can be lifted to stand upright and can then be used as a plus/minus lever to manually select gears while driving.A power-retractable tonneau cover neatly covers the rear storage area, which features ample space for approximately three golf bags behind the rear seats.
Overall ?????????????????????????????????????? as with the exterior ?????????????????????????????????????? the dynamic nature of the interior design was created to communicate a visual sense of motion and speed and to test potential design themes that could be incorporated into a production model.
While Mazda has not yet officially confirmed a production model based on the MX-Crossport, the company has stated clearly that it intends to expand its line of new-generation Zoom-Zoom products for the North American market and beyond. The MX-Crossport is an important step forward in the process.
