NAME: (Mazda Kusabi)
PICTURES:
“A multi-purpose sportscar with an innovative form and versatile utility.”
The Mazda Kusabi concept car, unveiled at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show, was billed as a “daily compact sports car”. It was built on the platform of the Japan-market compact car called the Demio. The Kusabi featured a 3-door hatchback body measuring 149.6 inches long, 68.8 inches wide and 50.7 inches high. The car’s design was truly unique, highlighted by a reverse-wedge shaped roof. Just as innovative was its “twin-lift hatchback” at the rear. Unlike normal hatches that only open upward, the two halves of the twin-lift hatchback can also open out like the wings of a butterfly, allowing easy access and storage.
Inside, the seats were laid out in 2+2 form. What was notable here was when passengers climbed into the back seats, the top halves of the front seats fold back into the cabin. While the Kusabi was a bit tall for a sports car, it possessed the kind of aggressive styling that exuded performance.
Powering the car was a variation of the MZR. The 1.3-liter DOHC inline-4 had upgrades like dual sequential valve timing, a supercharger, and a 4-barrel electric throttle that accounted for 148 HP. It came mated to a 6-speed automatic with manual shifting mode. The suspension system was similar to the Demio’s, with struts up front and a torsion beam at rear. It made for an agile car, one that had the utility of a family wagon.
DRIVETRAIN
FF
ASPIRATION
Supercharged
ENGINE
ZJ-VE SC
MAX POWER
150 PS
MAX TORQUE
18.37 kgf.m
LENGTH
149.6 inches (3,800 mm)
WIDTH
68.8 inches (1,750 mm)
HEIGHT
50.7 inches (1,290 mm)
WEIGHT
900 kilograms (2,000 lb)
POWER/WEIGHT RATIO
6 kg (13 lb) per horsepower
CC2 Specs
Derby tier: 1
Price: 50,000
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