The Sassou is a lightweight, three-door hatchback powered by a turbocharged, three-cylinder, 1.0-litre MZR DISI (Direct Injection Spark Ignition) petrol engine.
The car gives a glimpse into the future to where Mazda might be heading with small cars. It’s described as a city car aimed at young, first time car buyers and is designed to provide a car that makes city driving fun, while being highly practical and economical and aiming for clean emissions.
The name Sassou is a Japanese term that means having a positive state of mind; of looking to the future with optimism. It employs the latest in aerodynamic techniques, and blends them with a unique use of exterior and interior materials. Its hidden features are based on the Shoji principle.
Shoji screens are thin Japanese doors made of rice paper that allows you to see the outline of what is behind them without seeing the details. The Sassou has attributes that are hidden within the body and are revealed by an illumination system that makes the car seem to spring to life.
On the inside is a high-tech, interactive interior concept reflecting the lifestyle of young people. It uses a USB stick as a key and an interface port for programming the hard disc drive conceived for the concept. It also features a unique morphing back seat system that uses compressed air.
It provides centre seating for one and side seating for two by changing the seat configuration. It also has flat-fold seating which offers storage practicality for carrying larger items.
The turbocharged 1.0-litre engine has an idling stop feature that automatically shuts down the engine when the car is stopped in city traffic.