Mazda today officially unveiled the Kazamai Concept at the Moscow Motor Show. The concept gives a strong hint at where Mazda might be going with a compact crossover SUV. Small, lightweight with dynamic styling, low-consumption, a next-generation Mazda powertrain, it is meant to appeal to young, upwardly-mobile Russians with a strong sense of style and urban lifestyle demands.

Kazamai means “swirling crosswinds” in Japanese, and was chosen to express the powerful yet nimble character of this crossover. Kazamai is part of the new flowing lines of Mazda concept cars like the Furai.

Mazda Kazamai will feature a DISI engine based on the current Mazda CX-7, with advanced technologies to minimize energy loss and vastly improved thermal efficiency. Mazda’s next generation 2.0-liter DISI engine also has combustion control technology and variable valve control that deliver strong torque throughout the rev-range for good engine response and fuel economy. A next-generation catalyst is used for good emissions performance.

Press release after the jump.

Mazda Kazamai originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 26 August 2008 09:25 EST.

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