From the mind of a talented design intern that previously worked at Koenigsegg.
A new design concept has arrived wearing a Mazda badge; the Thesis DX-Vision is a two-door high-riding sports coupe concept from the minds of a talented design intern at Mazda, who has formerly interned at Acura and even Koenigsegg, where she worked on the design of the CC850.
Essentially, the DX-Vision is a sports car inspired by the Dakar Rally – making it the Mazda equivalent to the Porsche 911 Dakar and Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato. But the DX-Vision won't become a reality. That doesn't mean it isn't awesome, though, and it's so much better than any of the hundreds of fan-designed renders out there because this has actual Mazda DNA.
While the idea is the brainchild of Tiffany Yang, an up-and-coming automotive designer based in California, it was overseen by various members of Mazda USA's official design team.
There are strong hints of Mazda's Kodo: Soul of Motion design language in the DX-Vision, which Yang attributes to help from Mazda designers that showed her how Mazda designs and builds its surfacing.
Mazda's design encompasses several core ideologies ss we've previously discussed. The Japanese carmaker even uses hundred-year-old techniques to see how the light will play off surfaces before embedding those shapes in vehicles like the MX-5 Miata.
Yang's concept pulls many of these ideologies off pretty well, particularly in the side profile, where the DX-Vision utilizes negative spaces and shadows particularly well.
But there's a strong influence from Yang's previous work experience, too, giving the concept a fresh take on Mazda's design language.
The big differentiator is that this concept has a cab-forward stance akin to a mid-engined supercar – a la Koenigsegg CC850. The taillights and rear of the car also seem very Koenigsegg-like, with a resemblance in some areas to the Gemera.
There's a strong emphasis on aerodynamics with gaping air intakes up front and a narrower take on Mazda's signature grille design. A prominent rear diffuser also affords the car impressive rear clearance and departure ranges – perfect for its Dakar Rally inspiration.
Best of all, however, is that the DX-Vision is a three-seater with the driver positioned centrally as they would be in the McLaren F1 or GMA T.50.
While interior renders haven't yet been published, design sketches show the central seating position with a racy square steering wheel with minimal instrumentation and column-mounted paddle shifters.
On that note, no mention is made as to what would power the concept if it ever became a reality, but we wouldn't be opposed to a rotary-powered off-road sports car.
While the DX-Vision won't reach production, its digital existence shows that Mazda has promising design talent in its ranks. Keep an eye on Tiffany Yang – she may just be a big name in automotive design in years to come.
Keyword: Mazda DX-Vision Concept Is Mazda's 911 Dakar Rival