RYUGA Concept by Mazda -- 100 mph while it is standing still By ALAN GELL www.CarColumns.net WOW! The Ryuga by Mazda is a concept car unveiled at the North American Auto Show in Detroit, then sent straight over to Chicago for their big auto show. There was always a crowd of journalists gathered around at both shows, snapping photos, asking questions, oohing and aaahing. This latest concept car by Mazda might just make it off the drawing board and into dealer showrooms.

The Ryuga certainly captures the emotion of motion. It looks as if it going Zoom-Zoom-Zoom even when it is standing still. Ryuga is pronounced as "ree-yoo-ga." It is a Japanese word meaning "gracious flow." Mazda has always prided itself on distinctive designs and the Ryuga embodies distinctiveness. The Mazda designers studied the phenomenon in nature for their inspiration. There are grand gestures of motion in the exterior design. You don't see any square corners.

Following the outside lines of the Ryuga are not easy unless you understand the exterior concept utilized in the design. The side surfaces express a simplicity and refinement representative of the smooth pebbles in a raked garden. The headlamp shapes are made to resemble the morning dew falling from bamboo leaves. The tail lamp design represents flowing lava, appearing in shades of yellow, red, and blue, much like flowing molten lava. The roof molding gives an accent to the body styling as well. Then, to foster the sense of motion in a more dramatic way, the 21 inch wheel spokes are slightly twisted, appearing as if they are delivering torque. By the way, those 21 inch wheel spokes are different on the left and right hand sides, and are not interchangeable.

Insides, it initially looks somewhat like the RX-8 sports car, but it is significantly lower and shorter than the RX-8. Still, the Ryuga seats four people in comfort without their being cramped into the spaces. The two large gull-like winged doors allow easy access to the inside. There is cockpit style dash for the driver, front bucket seats designed for energetic driving, and an experimental floating center cluster of instruments.

The Ryuga will continue to receive attention at whichever shows it is displayed. The Zoom-Zoom isn't lost of the admirers. Perhaps this won't stay a concept very long.