An Immersive Experience: The Unveiling of the New Mazda CX-80
Arriving in Zürich, anticipation and curiosity were my companions as I prepared to witness the unveiling of Mazda’s latest marvel, the CX-80.
As a representative of Watchonista, I was eager to see how Mazda would present a car. After all, a car is just a vehicle with four wheels, right? How wrong I was.
The event, which was held in Schlieren, near Zürich, was an orchestrated masterpiece of Japanese artistry, culture, and craftsmanship. The moment I stepped in, the meticulously curated environment surrounded me, engaging all senses and highlighting the essence of Mazda’s newest SUV, the Mazda CX-80.
Japanese Artistry Takes Center Stage
The evening began with an introduction to the rich cultural heritage that Mazda draws upon for its designs, with Matthias Walker, Managing Director of Mazda (Suisse) SA, and Katarina Loksa, Head of Brand at Mazda Motor Europe, welcoming us and providing insights into the “Crafted in Japan” philosophy.
A celebration of “Takumi,” which is the title given to master craftsmen who have spent at least 60,000 hours honing their skills, the brand’s “Crafted in Japan” philosophy was brought to life by a selection of artists who used the Mazda CX-80 as their muse.
The renowned calligrapher Taro Nordberg captured everyone’s attention with a live performance. He seamlessly blended traditional Japanese motifs with modern art, painting a large canvas in front of the new Mazda CX-80.
Accompanied by the jazz melodies of Lukas Gerneton on piano and Raphael Schilt on saxophone, Nordberg’s brush strokes extended the vehicle’s elegant design into an expansive artistic expression. Guests were then invited to pick up brushes and learn to write their names in Japanese under Nordberg’s guidance.
A Culinary Journey
The culinary arts were another highlight of the evening, with Yoshiko Sato, the acclaimed pastry chef from the two-Michelin-starred restaurant Chedi Andermatt, leading a hands-on experience where guests could create and taste their own sweet masterpieces.
Throughout the evening, Chef Sato, her husband Dominik, and Chef Fabio Toffolon treated us to a variety of delicate and exquisite Japanese cuisine. From the most elegantly plated oysters to melt-in-your-mouth wagyu steaks with rice, the evening was a taste-buds awakening!
Craftsmanship Beyond Automobiles
The evening also featured a storytelling session from Eric Blum and Luca Meyer of Onkai Heiwa, a Zürich-based manufacturer specializing in high-end hats and leather goods, during which they recounted their recent trip to Japan, where they met Takumi like swordsmith Hirata Sukehira and bonsai artist Kunio Kobayashi.
Blum and Meyer’s presentation included a live demonstration of leather bag creation, showcasing the exhaustive attention to detail that goes into every piece – paralleling Mazda’s dedication to perfection in car manufacturing.
Meyer also expressed his admiration for Mazda, particularly the CX-80, highlighting its KODO design philosophy, which focuses on what the carmaker calls the “Soul of Motion.” As Ikuo Maeda, Executive Officer & General Manager of Mazda’s Design Division and creator of the KODO philosophy, explains on the company’s website: “
…KODO Design [is] about creating cars that embody the dynamic beauty of life – cars that visually suggest different expressions of this energy. In Japan, we feel that craftsmen inject life into what they make, so objects that receive the love and caring attention of these craftsmen have a vital force, a soul.
“As we are a Japanese car company, we believe that a form sincerely and painstakingly made by human hands gets a soul… [W]e want Mazdas to express the beauty of instantaneous motion seen in living creatures. That’s what KODO Design stands for.”
Unveiling The Mazda CX-80
At the heart of this extraordinary event was the Mazda CX-80 SUV (European specification model), which acts as a testament to Mazda’s commitment to blending advanced technology with the timeless elegance of Japanese design.
Equipped with a plug-in hybrid or efficient diesel engine, the CX-80 embodies Mazda’s core values of aesthetics, quality, and dynamism. From the open stitching on the dashboard to the fluid lines of its exterior body, every detail of the CX-80 is crafted to evoke emotion.
Final Thoughts
Mazda’s event in Zürich was more than just a car unveiling – it was a celebration of Japanese culture, art, and craftsmanship, which, I must admit, I knew absolutely nothing about beforehand. The beautiful new Mazda CX-80 stands as a symbol of Mazda’s pursuit of innovation, capturing the very essence of the brand’s philosophy.
As I left the event, I was not only impressed by the vehicle but also deeply moved by the rich cultural tapestry that was so exquisitely woven into this insightful experience.
Pricing & Availability
The flagship model of Mazda’s European product lineup, the CX-80 is now available across Europe; however, prices vary depending on the country of purchase. For more information, check out Mazda’s website.
(Photography by the author)