Mazda will bring a special treat to this year's Los Angeles Auto Show (November 16-25, 2007) - the 2018 MAZDA3 concept car will be sculpted in clay by Mazda’s designers and a special guest live on stage. The work on the 2018 MAZDA3 will begin on November 14.
Mazda Press Release:
MAZDA DESIGNERS AND CONTEST WINNER TO BUILD CONCEPT CAR
LOS ANGELES – For the first time ever in the automotive industry, Mazda’s designers and a special guest will sculpt a clay model concept car live on stage during the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show as part of a culmination of the
“Mazda Design Challenge.” Mazda sought out designers to help create the 2018 MAZDA3, Mazda’s best-selling car globally, by hosting a contest on Facebook.com.
Facebook members across the United States competed by submitting their design ideas. The winner of the competition, Mallory McMorrow, an industrial design student from the University of Notre Dame, will work with Franz von Holzhausen, director of design, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO), and his team, to bring the concept to life in the Mazda booth. Work on the model will begin on the
first media day, November 14, and the final concept will be unveiled on Saturday, November 24, at 3:00 pm.
To enter, contestants submitted a 150-word description of their vision of the 2018 MAZDA3 and an optional sketch drawing. The Mazda Design team then judged each entry, choosing 10 semi-finalists. Five finalists were chosen by the Facebook community. Each of the five finalists were paired with a Mazda designer to hone their concept, which was then judged and voted on in a second round by fellow Facebook members.
“The Mazda Design Challenge brought in a flood of cool, unique design ideas. The winning design concept is a fresh new way to look at the design of a vehicle,” said von Holzhausen. “This competition was a tremendous success, and this entire process was really beneficial to my team and me to understand what design means to our target buyers. Now the hard part comes – to see if we can actually build a full concept car on the show stand in 10 days and in full view of show goers.”
In addition, Mazda will showcase the new 2008 CX-9 crossover SUV and three-row, six-passenger
MAZDA5 multi-activity vehicle, along with the 40th Anniversary RX-8 and the first rotary vehicle that started it all, the 1967 Cosmo Sport.
CX-9
Recently named Motor Trend’s 2008 Sport/Utility of the Year, CX-9 deftly blends sporty driving spirit with seven-passenger sport-utility vehicle (SUV) practicality. For 2008, CX-9 reaches a higher level of performance with a new standard 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine, resulting in ten more horsepower (273) and 21 additional lb-ft of torque (270) compared to 2007. Also new for the 2008 model year is a Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system, which helps see and prevent the unexpected. Available on Grand Touring models,
the BSM system is designed to assist the driver by monitoring the detection areas on both sides of the vehicle to the rear and will alert the driver to possible vehicles in these areas.
“Launched just last year, CX-9 garnered rave reviews, and was hailed as one of the very best in class. However, Mazda is not a company that allows complacency, so we’re always looking for ways to improve our products – even when they’re already first-rate,” said Robert Davis, senior vice president, product development and quality, MNAO. “With the 2008 CX-9, we had an opportunity to increase the engine’s displacement a bit, resulting in a significant performance increase – a great product made better.”
MAZDA5
Another heavily updated vehicle for 2008 is the MAZDA5. Only Mazda would have the engineering ingenuity to merge two automotive functions – a large sport utility vehicle (SUV) and a fun-to-drive sports car. Mazda demonstrates its infusion of stylish, insightful and energetic vehicles with the 5 – a three-row, six-passenger multi-activity sports vehicle infused with sports car inspiration. But, unlike most sports cars, the MAZDA5 easily and efficiently transports six people and the equipment that goes with their busy lives. There truly is nothing like it on the market today.
The 2008 MAZDA5 gets a makeover, with new front fascia, grille, headlights and taillights design. A new five-speed automatic transmission, rear cool air vents, improved gas mileage, arm rests and a standard auxiliary audio input jack are among some of the new or enhanced features for 2008. These new features give MAZDA5 a sophisticated look and feel beyond its price point. In addition, MAZDA5 Grand Touring models come equipped with standard security alarm, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, auto on/off headlights, heated door mirrors and rain-sensing wipers.
40 YEARS OF ROTARY
On May 30, 1967, Mazda launched the world’s first twin-rotor rotary engined car, the Mazda Cosmo Sport. In the years between, Mazda has produced nearly two million vehicles powered by the rotary engine.
The first vehicle Mazda sold in the United States was the 1970 R100, powered by the rotary engine. It was followed by the RX-2, RX-3, RX-4 and RX-5 Cosmo. The 1970s even saw Mazda install the rotary engine in its Rotary Pickup truck. When Mazda launched the now-legendary RX-7 in 1979, it really shook up the sports-car establishment and set sales records never before seen with sports cars. And when the company launched the innovative four-door sports car RX-8 in 2003, the rotary engine saw a dramatic update with the introduction of side porting, resulting in greatly reduced exhaust emissions and improved performance.
Looking towards the future, Mazda remains committed to the rotary engine for the long run. After nearly five decades of development, the company has capitalized on the fact that rotary technology is uniquely suited to burning hydrogen as a fuel, especially as compared to conventional piston engines. Mazda has been experimenting with research and development into both hydrogen-fueled rotaries and hydrogen rotary hybrid-electric vehicles as well, and already has hydrogen-fueled rotary-powered RX-8s on the road in Japan.
To help celebrate the 40th anniversary of the rotary engine, Mazda will offer a limited edition 40th Anniversary RX-8. Available in early 2008, the 40th Anniversary RX-8 will feature a special Metropolitan Gray exterior color with a Cosmo Red leather interior color scheme, unique 18-inch alloy wheels, suspension enhancements, fog lamps, silver engine cover and special badging.
The balance of Mazda’s full 2008 lineup will also be on display at the show including the CX-7, Tribute, Tribute HEV, MAZDA3, MAZDA6 and MAZDASPEED3.
The Greater Los Angeles Auto Show is open to the public November 16-25, 2007, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario, Canada, and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.
MAZDA AND SELF-PROCLAIMED “CAR GIRL” TO BRING 2018 MAZDA3 TO LIFE AT 2007 LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW
LOS ANGELES, November 14, 2007 – It’s neither a commuter vehicle nor boring sedan. It is also not an undersized sports coupe or awkward, disproportionate hatchback. At the moment, the 2018 MAZDA3 is nothing more than a lump of clay on stage at the Mazda booth at the 2007 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show – and the vision of Mallory McMorrow of South Bend, Ind., the winner of the Mazda Design Challenge. By the time the auto show comes to a close, an exciting, life-size model will be unveiled for all eyes to see – and a talented woman will be one step closer to fulfilling her automotive design career dream.
A landslide victory, McMorrow’s entry was voted number one by Facebook members, as part of the first-ever program between Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) and the social networking site. To enter, contestants submitted a 150-word description of their vision of the 2018 MAZDA3 and an optional sketch drawing.
After weeks of voting – first by Mazda designers, then Facebook members – McMorrow was selected as a finalist, at which time she was paired with Mazda designer Jacques Flynn who helped bring her design to life on paper. “Jacques took everything I said and sketched, and put my thoughts and feelings on paper,” said McMorrow. “I was thrilled when I opened up the images of the final renderings. I’m proud to say that the end design was still definitely my car and I can’t wait to see it come to fruition on the show floor.”
Today McMorrow will begin working one-on-one with Franz von Holzhausen, director of design, MNAO, and his team to bring her concept to life, live from the Mazda booth at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show. A formal press conference will be held at 12:50 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, at the Mazda booth.
“The Mazda Design Challenge brought in a flood of cool, unique design ideas. The winning design concept is a fresh new way to look at the design of a vehicle,” said von Holzhausen. “This competition was a tremendous success, and the entire process was really beneficial to my team and me to understand what design means to our target buyers. Now the hard part comes – to see if we can actually build a full concept car on the show stand in ten days and in full-view of show goers.”
Auto show attendees can watch von Holzhausen and his team in action from 12 noon to 8:00 p.m. daily, as they mold, carve and smooth the would-be 2018 MAZDA3. The final clay sculpture of the concept will be unveiled at 3 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 24.
Mallory McMorrow – “Car Girl” by design
An Industrial Design major at the University of Notre Dame, McMorrow, 21, of Whitehouse, NJ, first heard of the Mazda Design Challenge from her professor, Paul Down. Dubbed “the car girl” by her classmates in the Industrial Design department, McMorrow, who discovered her love for cars at a young age, jumped at the chance to enter.
With a background in graphic and industrial design, most of McMorrow’s design experience to date has focused primarily on product design, including automotive cleaning and car products. “All throughout college, I’ve heard nothing but how hard it will be to get into the auto design world, how I should keep my options open, and even how I should ‘think about interiors (because) …women work on interiors,” said McMorrow. “Now, thanks to this contest, I have a completely refreshed feeling about pursuing a career in cars.”
Mallory’s 2018 MAZDA3– In her own words
“A decade from now, I want a car that doesn’t believe in falling into a category. A car that makes sure sedan and hatchback are no longer four letter words. A chassis made to handle every s curve that comes its way. Fast. I want a car with the body and soul of a sports car, but a car that knows that sometimes I want to bring my friends, my things, or my dog. I want a car that has a sunroof that’s actually a sunroof, not a sun-one-quarter roof. I want a car that causes heads to turn – even before the first rev of the engine. I want a car that went from concept to showroom without meeting muted for the masses – unapologetically. I want a MAZDA3 that gets me – the everyday sports car, the 5-door that makes me forget I own a 5-door.”
In addition to McMorrow, finalists in the Mazda Design Challenge included Christopher Chung, Silver Spring, Md.; Preston Gilliam, East Bend, N.C.; Andrew Kinomoto, Bothell, Wash.; and Danny Song, San Mateo, Calif.
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario, Canada, and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.
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