The Mazda Shinari Concept was unveiled in Milan earlier this week, showing off Mazda’s latest design language. Called KODO, which replaces the current and previous Nagare langauge, it was created by Mazda’s head of design, Ikuo Maeda.

Shinari, roughly meaning ‘a resistance to bend’, the style of this Mazda Shinari Concept is very flowing, arty and even futuristic. Every edge is sharp and looks to be in the process of cutting. The mirrors appear to be modeled from a ultra-modern motorcycle, but they aren’t mirrors, they’re cameras mounted on aerodynamic frames.

It is a four-door sedan but it certainly doesn’t appear to be in a usual, boring way. The rear doors don’t have a complete pillar, instead, the roof line just continues all the way over the boot lid in one smooth line. And check out the rear guards that mimic a squatting lion or kangaroo, with it’s big lower leg running along half of the sill.

The interior is exquisite. Circular instrument dials with integrated LCD screens make up the driver’s panel. While interior controls and features are placed ‘externally’ from the driver’s cockpit, giving the car a modern jet fighter feel. There’s also a main control knob resting at the foot of the centre fascia.

The roof is also very unique, providing an open environment with plenty of natural lighting inside the cabin. Although it cannot be opened like a traditional sunroof, the glass and frame design lets the car regain structural integrity through the use of the cross bars.

Passengers in the Shinari are treated to the backside of the centre fascia. Most of the controls are accessible through buttons placed out of the driver’s eye. The driver can elect to use the centre knob to do pretty much everything though, using the LCD screen above.

From the front you can see the ‘signature wing’ slotted into the entire front area. This will become a traditional element to future KODO-designed Mazda vehicles. The blade runs along the bottom of the grille and extends up, piercing through the headlight structure.

The rear also features the same ‘signature wing’ blade running along the width of the boot and into the rear lights. The twin exhaust outlets concealed in the rear bumper flutes seem somewhat small, but they are an odd rectangular shape which is a bit disorienting. These vent exhausts from the unspecified rotary engine. Further engine details haven’t been clarified.

Although this model will not go into production, the design is said to showcase many elements we can come to expect from future mainstream Mazda models. Possibly including a Mazda RX-9 in the future.