Mazda has come out fighting after the Olympics by unveiling its dramatic Kazamai concept and previewing its forthcoming Ford Kuga rival, the CX-5. Both models star at the Moscow Motor Showand reveal a dramatic new look for the brand. By 2011, Mazda will have introduced a whole new line-up of lighter and more fuel-efficient cars aimed at improving the average fuel efficiency ofits models by 30% and reducing CO2 emissions by 23%.

Set to arrive in 2011 and heavily based on the Kazamai, the all-new CX-5 is one of the first models being developed with this new philosophy and Mazda claims the final production version will be at least 100kg lighter than its rivals. Like the Kazamai, it will be powered by a new generation of direct-injection petrol engines, with drive delivered to the road through new lightweight transmissions.

“This is the most realistic of the concepts we've done so far,” Mazda's design boss, Laurens vanden Acker, the CX-5 said. “We want to keep it as sporty as possible and there are now so many rivals that we have to move away from the practical.”The design chief also hinted Mazda is also thinking of producing three and five-door versions in line with the example set by Land Rover with the LRX.