Detroit Motor Show - Mazda

Something small
The Kabura is a light, sporty little car which is even smaller than the excellent MX-5.

Even if it's half as much fun and as satisfying to drive as the MX-5, it'll be brilliant. It's built with rear-wheel drive like the roadster, so we reckon it's likely to be a real hoot.

Officially Mazda says the Kabura is just a concept, but speak to a sensible insider and they'll tell you that it's going to be made. Production should start in around 12 to 18 months, with an arrival in the UK up to about nine to 12 months after that.

How many of the concepts more far out elements will remain is debatable. It's got an asymetric door layout, with an additional rear door fitted to the passenger side that slides back to provide access to the rear of the cabin.

This features one full size seat for a third adult and a flip-down affair for children and short journeys. The concept's rotary hybrid engine will be replaced by conventional 1.6-, 1.8- and 2.0-litre powerplants.

We say
Thank goodness we'll see this baby RX-8 on the roads. The Kabura is such a great looking car it has to be built - we can't wait to drive it. Prices? From an enticing £14,000.

Small, sporty rear-wheel drive cars are something of a theme at this year's show - just take a look at the Nissan Urge.

Something big
Mazda has also unveiled the new, sleek CX-7 off-roader in Detroit.

It's a good-looking car, but UK buyers have got a bit of a wait, because it won't turn up in Britain until roughly the middle of next year.

When it is launched, it will only be available with the 2.3-litre petrol engine from the high-performance Mazda 6 MPS. A diesel motor will eventually arrive for the 4x4, which is about the same size as a BMW X5, and a good rival for the Nissan Murano.