The Model Example
Every new Mazda is literally born from the earth. Clay models, deftly sculpted by inhouse artisans are amongst the earliest and most critical stages of the design process at Mazda.
“In fact Mazda consumes more clay than any other manufacturer, even though it’s a relatively small company,” says MX-5 Chief Designer Masashi Nakayama.
“The clay modellers played an extremely significant role in the development of the MX-5 design. Indeed every new model,” he adds.
Full-size models were created from a single block of clay by craftsmen such as Master Chief Clay Modeller Yukiharu Asano. Taking the designers’ two-dimensional drawings and rendering them in clay allowed the team to see the effects of light on the complex KODO surfacing. “There are limits to how far you can take indentations and bulges. Like skin and flesh, too much or too little will ruin the design,” he says.
Other Stories
Driving stories on the great & challenging roads and journeys
Stories about the craftsmanship and design evolution of Mazda
Visions and philosophies of Mazda engineers
The spirit of Mazda owners, collectors, clubs and aficionados around the world
Mazda brand heritage and history