Mazda will present an all-new show car at this year’s Moscow International Automobile Salon from 28 August to 1 September. The concept is a sporty, compact crossover SUV designed especially for the Russian market.

The Moscow show car is the latest concept to be developed using the new design direction called Nagare – following in the footsteps of previous Mazda concept cars Nagare, Ryuga, Hakaze, Taiki and Furai.

Nagare, which means “flow” in Japanese, represents a new approach to expressing movement in car design, taking as inspiration the flow patterns of natural elements, such as the wind. The design theme of Mazda’s concept for the 2008 Moscow International Automobile Salon is “crosswinds”.

Russia is one of Europe’s fastest-growing markets and is rapidly becoming the region’s largest automobile market. SUVs are particularly popular in Russia, with a segment share of about 20 percent. Mazda’s latest concept car is designed to appeal particularly to younger SUV owners who have a strong sense of style.

The Moscow show car, the name of which will be announced in due course, again showcases the depth of creativity within Mazda design. In February 2008, the Mazda Design team received the coveted Grand Prix du Design of the Festival International Automobile in Paris.

The Moscow International Automobile Salon media days are on 26 and 27 August, while the trade day takes place on 28 August.  The salon is open to the public from 29 August through to 7 September.

The new show car will be unveiled at the Mazda press conference at 10:15 am local time on 26 August at the Mazda stand.