Mazda Ibuki

The Mazda Ibuki was a concept car that Mazda revealed at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show and the 2004 Chicago Auto Show. Although it was not the inspiration, it previewed the third generation MX-5 ahead of that car's 2005 launch. The name is Japanese for breathing new energy or adding vigor. It was built on a variation of the Mazda RX-8 platform, with a reinforced open frame, plastic body panels, aluminium brake discs and door panels, a carbon fibre propeller shaft and engine frame, and magnesium alloy wheels. Power came from a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and a six-speed manual transmission, giving 180 horsepower. A four-point active rollbar rose from the front pillars and rear cowl under impact sensor control in a rollover.