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Mazda Kai concept hints at a more muscular, refined Mazda3

Mazda is packing some serious punch for the Tokyo Motor Show, unveiling a stylish hatchback it's calling the Kai Concept to go along with the earlier reveal of the show-stopping Vision Coupe. The compact five-door concept heralds a new generation of cars for the Japanese automaker, which is best known for making sporty, smallish and well-designed vehicles — such as the Mazda3, from which this concept derives its design direction. This version smooths over most of the Mazda3's sharp body creases in favor of smooth, undulating body panels that dramatically reflect light and reflect Mazda's KODO design language. It also gets more narrow, aggressive-looking headlights and a unique overhead profile, with two panes of glass that continue from the windshield and are intersected by a solid-color center, like a U-shaped moonroof. The Kai is powered by a next-generation Skyactiv-X combustion engine, which uses Mazda's proprietary compression ignition system to give the gas-powered engine the fuel efficiency, torque and initial acceleration response of a diesel powertrain. Which is encouraging, considering the Mazda3 already delivers impressive fuel economy. Inside, the concept hints at more refinement, with streamlined chrome accents popping from the black dash and interior panels. It all rests on Mazda's Skyactiv Vehicle Architecture that reflects human-centered design philosophy in everything from redesigned seats to maintain the spine's natural "S" curvature, to NVH tweaks to encourage a quieter, more comfortable ride. Mazda has said it plans to put this concept into production, but there's no word yet on when exactly that will be.Related Video:

2020 Mazda6 starts at $24,920, $200 more than 2019 model year

Mazda increased the price of all five trims of the 2020 Mazda6 by $200. The entry-level Mazda6 Sport starts at $24,000 before $920 destination charge ($965 in Alaska), for a total of $24,920. The only changes for next year are a new key fob likely copying the black and shiny metal unit from the Mazda3, and a new Signature badge likely in the form of the elemental "Sg" pulled from the CX-5 Signature model. The three Premium Paint choices carry over, with the same prices: Snowflake White Pearl Mica for $200, Machine Gray Metallic for $300, and Soul Red Crystal Metallic for $595. Prices of the other four trims run:  Mazda6 Touring $27,580 Mazda6 Grand Touring $30,620 Mazda6 Grand Touring Reserve $33,120 Mazda6 Signature $36,220 We're awaiting word on the arrival of all-wheel drive and the 2.2.-liter turbodiesel fitted to the CX-5. In the CX-5, that engine makes 168 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque. An AWD Mazda6 showed up in paperwork filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in January 2018, spy shots of a diesel-powered sedan followed in May that year, and Mazda mentioned the oil-burner again in April this year. For the time being, power for the 2020 Mazda6 will continue to be sent to the front axle through a six-speed automatic — Mazda eliminated the six-speed manual for the 2019 model year. The Sport and Touring trims come with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 187 hp and 186 lb-ft. The Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve and Signature raise that to a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 227 hp on 87 octane gas, or 250 hp on 93 octane, and 310 lb-ft.

50 engineers kept the rotary alive at Mazda for 8 years

The Mazda RX-Vision concept is one of the standouts at this year's Tokyo Motor Show thanks to a drop-dead gorgeous design and a revival of the Wankel engine. The fact that the rotary is still in development at Mazda is thanks to a dedicated group of 50 engineers. According to Automotive News, their dream for the last eight years has been to bring this storied engine design back to the street. It won't be easy. Because of its design, the rotary suffers from poor fuel economy and high emissions. Making the challenge even harder, Mazda reportedly only gives them a small budget, but they continue to chip away at the problem. "These 50 engineers want to develop the rotary engine, therefore they joined Mazda," company research and development boss Kiyoshi Fujiwara told AN. "If I stop the rotary engine, probably they want to leave." For the Skyactiv-R under the RX-Vision's svelte hood, the team reportedly started from the 16X rotary project. Dating back to 2007, that 1.6-liter engine was supposed to improve torque and fuel economy thanks in part to direct injection. After additional development, insiders even suggested that the engineers might have finally solved the powerplant's issues. However, Mazda never put the mill into production, and the RX-8 remains the company's last Wankel-powered model to be offered in showrooms. "We have a dream that one day, this design with a rotary engine will achieve a level that customers will accept," CEO Masamichi Kogai said to AN. Mazda is quite clear that the RX-Vision might never go on sale without a suitable rotary. Although if it does see production, the coupe would likely use a stiffened version of the Miata's chassis, AN reports. Before anyone can place an order, these 50 determined engineers still have a lot of work ahead of them. Related Video: