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Text by Dubspeed Media Staff, Carl Modesette
Photos by Zerin Dube

Mazda’s press conference, true to traditional Japanese fashion, began more like a corporate shareholder’s meeting than a press conference. Positive state-of-the-company data was shared, as well as a new vision and direction for Mazda’s dealership network. Perhaps most positive for Mazda executives was the new MX-5’s recent nomination as Japan’s Car of the Year. Also shown was the 2007 CX-7 crossover, which made its debut at the Los Angeles show. Powered by a turbocharged 2.3-liter engine shared by the Mazdaspeed 6, the CX-7 surely capitalizes on “zoom-zoom” mentality. As the finale of their conference, Mazda’s American design studio presented a new concept, driven by a challenge from Mazda’s president to conceptualize their interpretation of “zoom-zoom.” The Kabura is a sport coupe that draws upon many design elements from the current RX-8, yet is still quite bold and revolutionary.