Mazda Senku - Electric Sliding Doors and Two Sliding Hatch Openings
A unique feature of the Mazda Senku's exterior is its sliding, flying-wing doors. These slide back electrically and hug close to the rear panels, a real advantage over hinged doors in tight parking spaces. Once open, they reveal large, 800 mm wide door openings that, combined with Senku's high hip point, make getting into and out of the vehicle easy. These innovative side doors are enhanced by a unique rear hatch design that has two electric powered gates. The upper gate slides forward over the roof and the lower gate downward - very practical where there is low clearance - and allows loading similar to that of an estate.
Mazda Senku - Creature Comfort in a Futuristic Design
The design motif of combining sharpness and softness continues on the inside, where conflicting design elements are fused for a sporty and refined ambiance that is truly futuristic. A two-tone crimson and black colour scheme is employed with red leather surfaces on the seats, dashboard, door trim and centre console, hand-stitched by a master craftsman. These are combined with steel coloured seat frames and details on the centre console for a futuristic refinement and high quality feel. Senku's sporty front seats perch on a dark base that make them seem to float above the floor, while the seamless glass roof gives the interior an open and roomy feel. The front of the interior has a strongly futuristic flavour, with the dashboard curving towards the passengers and an advanced driver interface with a two-line display. The upper display line consists of three panels that show images of the car's surroundings from onboard cameras, including Night Drive Aid, for better forward visibility in the dark, and a Lane Drive Aid function that helps the driver stay in lane and perform lane-change manoeuvres. The lower display has a large panel showing the settings and operating status of the navigation, audio, and climate-control systems.
Mazda Senku - Insightful Seating Flexibility
Mazda Senku's two-seat mode is very comfortable with a passenger seat set back far enough for sitting with your legs crossed, and there is enough room behind the seats for a briefcase or coats. By tipping the top part of the rear compartment, you can create more storage space and by repositioning a panel it is possible to convert the back into two seats, for four people to travel.
Mazda Senku - Powertrain - 13B-DI Hybrid Engine
The Mazda Senku features a hybrid powertrain that combines a new rotary petrol engine with an electric aggregate including a generator, a motor and a battery. Compact enough to fit inside the Senku's wheelbase, the 13B-DI rotary engine has direct petrol injection technology for optimized combustion and a Mazda hybrid motor with idle stop, all of which gives Zoom-Zoom power and excellent fuel economy and emissions performance. The rearmost portion of the glass roof has unique pigment-sensitized solar cells placed between laminated sheets of glass. These not only let light into the interior, they also supply supplementary electric power to the RE Hybrid system and serve as a power source for interior equipment when the car is stationary. To make the drive even more fun, Senku has a unique 7-speed powershift transmission with a dry twin clutch.
Mazda Senku - Sports Car Handling and a New Kind of Body Frame
To ensure Zoom-Zoom handling attributes, the Mazda Senku concept's hybrid system has its battery mounted between the engine and the toe board. This, combined with the front midship placement of the compact rotary engine, means a 50:50 weight distribution between the axles and a low centre of gravity.
And not only is the Senku concept meant to handle like a Mazda sports car, it is also designed with a new multi-frame body structure concept. It is conceived to have multiple frames which - unlike conventional body frames where only the front side members provide for rigidity and impact- absorption - can each be optimized specifically for various performance requirements.
