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While the Shinari - the first concept from Mazda's new 'Kodo' (soul of motion) design direction - has been seen at shows in Shanghai, Los Angeles and Geneva, it's the first time the Aussie public will have a chance to see it in the metal.
The concept is the debut car from the brand's new global director of design Ikuo Maeda, and is intended to suggest 'a predator ready to pounce'.
"It captures the moment just as motion begins . every element of Shinari is designed to suggest the presence of pent up energy propelling the car forward," Mazda says.
The streamlined shape suggests a coupe, but the flowing lines camouflage the four-door body, following in the path set by the Mercedes-Benz CLS and similar luxury brands who have developed 'four-door coupes'.
The interior makes strong use of machined aluminium and natural leather, and features a glass-roofed cockpit and steering-wheel paddles that entirely relace the more usual gearshift lever
We're unlikely to see any of that - or the exterior design - make it into production cars, but the Shinari's engine is already on the way.
The Mazda3 upgrade coming later this year will carry the same 2.0-litre Sky-G engine that drives the front wheels of the concept car.
However the Shinari's four-seat cabin design with centre tunnel shows that it could easily be used for rear-wheel drive and hints it may end up seeding a future sports car.
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