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eMercedesBenz The Unofficial Mercedes Benz Weblog

With its poised, confident presence, the mere look of the GLK-Class leaves one in no doubt about its intent to conquer the premium compact-SUV segment. All while displaying unmistakable echoes of the G-Class, the forefather of the Mercedes-Benz SUV family. As Head of Design, Gordon Wagener, remarks: “Combining the puristic design of our style icon, the G-Class, with the latest Mercedes-Benz design idiom makes the GLK a model with genuine character.”

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertibles, Honda, Misc. Auto Shows

The London Motor Show opens up on July 22nd and with it, comes a new concept from Honda, the Open Study Model or OSM. The lightweight, two-seater, open-air sports car is another design study by Honda that attempts to blend performance and sustainable motoring into a comprehensive package. Designed by Honda’s R&D center in Offenbach, Germany, the OSM is a vehicle in the same environmentally friendly vein as the CR-Z concept unveiled in Tokyo last year, considered to be a low emissions alternative to the traditional sports coupe.

The CR-Z is still slated to be released sometime next year, but Honda insists that the OSM is strictly a design study and is not confirmed for production. However, as OSM (read: awesome) as it may be, it’s not the next S2000, according to Honda spokesperson Steve Kirk.

Filed under: Concept Cars, Crossovers/CUVs, Mazda, Misc. Auto Shows

Mazda announced today that it will debut a new compact crossover concept at this year’s Moscow International Automobile Salan that incorporates the brand’s Nagare design language into a more functional form. While not yet officially named, the crossover concept is said to express the design theme of “crosswinds” and is being developed specifically for the Russian market. SUVs are still popular in Russia and the market for new cars has grown large enough there to warrant the specific attention of automakers. The Moscow Motor Show will take place in late August at which time we’ll get to see Mazda’s Russian crossover concept, and we’re told an official name will be announced in due course. Check out a few more pics in the gallery below to see if this concept is as impressive as Mazda’s previous Nagare concepts, including the Nagare, Ryuga, Hakaze, Taiki and Furai.

Mazda Compact Crossover SUV Concept (Moscow)

Concept Cars, Economy, Paris Motor Show, Crossovers/CUVs, Hatchbacks, Mazda

Mazda is finally going to employ the styling cues shown on its Taiki, Ryuga, Hakaze and Furai show cars with a supermini concept, due to be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show. The concept aims to slot in below the Mazda2 and may be the first production model to benefit from the Nagare design theme. Other models utilizing Laurens van der Acker’s swooping and sculpted lines are expected to come to production in 2010, including the redesigned Mazda3.

Mazda also plans to unveil a small crossover concept at the Moscow Motor Show later this year, which will likely be based of the Ford Kuga and utilize the same Nagare DNA. This new CUV will be specifically designed for the Russian market, which Mazda maintains could overtake Germany as the largest market in Europe. But bringing this cute ‘ute to the UK and the US is a possibility, as consumers continue to downsize their rides.

[Source: Autocar]

Aftermarket, Tuners, Sedans/Saloons, Mazda, Misc. Auto Shows

The 2008 Tokyo Auto Salon is right around the corner and despite rumblings that Mazda isn’t considering making a ‘Speed version of the Atenza/Mazda6, it’s trotting out a concept to Japan’s premier tuner expo to gauge consumer interest.

What’s being dubbed the “Mazda Atenza Mazdaspeed Concept” found its way onto the Web, but information about the body kit-equipped concept is sorely lacking. We know it’ll be coming to the show with new front and rear bumpers and some mild aero modifications, along with new side skirts, a lower ride height and a set of 18-inch 10-spoke wheels. Beyond that, it’s anyone’s guess as to what’s powering the new 6 and how that power is finding its way down to the road.

Regardless, we’ve been able to source a couple of good photos of the concept and are hoping to have more information about all of Mazda’s concepts bound for 2008 TAS soon.

[Source: Autocar]