The Mazda MX-81 Aria Concept of the early 1980s was designed by Bertone under the direction of chief designer Marc Dechamps. It used the Mazda 323 platform and was fitted with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The two-door coupe had seating for four occupants and the large glass windows all around. The wedge-shaped front-end styling was a Bertone Hallmark of the time and shared similarities with the Volvo Tundra Concept of 1979, also a Bertone creation. In the front were pop-up headlights while the rear lights were integrated into the C-pillars. The low frontal area and sleek design resulted in a low drag coefficient value of 0.39 cD.

The interior was very futuristic and was devoid of a conventional steering wheel. Instead, there was a flexible plastic belt that traversed the rectangular dashboard housing. Enclosed in the housing was a CRT television screen for vital gauge information and push-button controls and switches, including the horn, lights, wipers, and defroster. To the right of the steering wheel were a tape deck and radio. The driver's seat swiveled, making entry and exit easier and more comfortable. The multi-colored, diamond-shaped seat pattern followed the styling motif of the era, and thick lower seat bolsters undoubtedly helped hold the occupants in place.

As stated by Mazda, 'revealed in 1981, the Mazda MX-81 Aria concept car was created by Italian styling house Bertone, who using Mazda 323 running gear created a futuristic wedge-shaped hatchback. With its gold paint, huge glasshouse and pop-up lights it stood out at the Tokyo Motor Show, but with its recessed square steering wheel, TV screen cockpit and side swinging front seats, it was arguably the interior that was the most radical. A one-off concept that certainly met the defy convention ethos of MX models, it led to a future relationship with Bertone, while things like the high-mounted taillights and pop-up headlamps appeared in future Mazda production cars later in the eighties.'

by Dan Vaughan