When Ikuo Maeda became the Head of Global Design at Mazda in 2009, no one foresaw how much this one man would change the fortunes of the company with his singular vision.
Mazda has long been known for making cars that are great to drive, but Maeda also wants them to appeal to the senses. All Mazda cars created under his leadership ascribe to the design philosophy he introduced: Kodo—Soul of Motion. It’s a unique expression of soul and personality that has evolved over the years. Perhaps the crowning glory of the philosophy so far is the Vision Coupe concept car, which signals the direction that Mazda’s design is taking.
This striking four-door car, with its elegant, refined, minimalist interior and exterior, takes its design cues from ancient Japanese aesthetics—the idea that less is more, that not all space needs to be occupied in order to present beauty. The exterior’s simple form constantly reflects the surrounding scenery, creating a rich variety of expressions on the body’s surface through an ever-changing shimmer of light and shade.
Mazda wants its cars to be viewed as highly prized artworks and since Maeda’s appointment the company has become one of the world’s most lauded car manufacturers, winning prestigious design awards globally.
Downloadable images are freely available for individual use and distribution without charge. However, it is PROHIBITED either to distribute by sale or to modify the images.