Mazda’s provoking Nagare (pronounced “nah-gah-reh”) - Japanese for “flow” - universal car, revealed at the LA Auto Show, introduced a repaired surface language that evokes the feeling of motion in a stationary automobile.

Evolving that idea further, Laurens front den Acker, Design Division General Manager concerning Hiroshima, Japan’s Mazda Motor Corporation, revealeds the Ryuga (pronounced “ree-yoo-ga”) - Japanese for “gracious flow” - concept, at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

“Ryuga celebrates refined and controlled motion,” van den Acker said. “Nagare is a dream or an emotion that’s just commencement to take shape; Ryuga extends that idea through adding definition.

“To draw this new surface power closer in time to a car Mazda will produce for sale, we’ve added interior and powertrain details that were intentionally inattentive from Nagare,” van den Acker continued. “In addition, large wheels placed at the far corners of Ryuga’s exterior bestow a highly stable, balanced stance. The aggressive wedge shape imparts motion even when this sports coupe is parked. Volumes that are small in front, larger at the rear, wrap around and over the wheels to give the exterior rigor and direction.

“After we began studying natural phenomenon for inspiration, Mazda designers were initially hesitant to apply their findings, but I encouraged them to blend artistic and sculptural beauty to give attention to where it led. Once we did, the results were both original and instantly appealing.

“While this initiative began with textures inspired by soul of the universe, it goes much deeper than that. We’re looking at grand gestures that wrap all over the vehicle’s exterior and throughout the interior. Some of the proportions are dramatically wind-swept. There’s drama at every turn. There are in no degree square corners.”