Finally is it official; the Mazda6 MPS will go in production in the beginning of 2005! 2.3 turbo engine > 280hp and 4WD.... well...atleast for Europe

But what would you choose? A RX-8 or a Mazda6 MPS ?

RX-8.

AWD and RWD... me likey RWD :)

I'll agree with the 8 for that reason... not to mention the rotary coolness factor there :).

Almost kinda makes me think on this one... if they are going to start production on the MSP 6 in the beginning of '05 and it was released early this year.... would they wait the same amount of time to make a MSP 8....? hmmmm.

Strider-

Different sort of car - better to compare the Mazda6 MPS to the Evo8 or STi - turbocharged 4WD 4 doors.

I know Fab 8, but I think the 6 MPS and RX-8 will cost almost the same. And if I had the money, I would consider both cars

I think that if you are going to compare the pricing of the 8, the MSP 6, an EVO, and an STi you're going to have some arguement.

Evo... ~29,000
STi... ~31,500
RX-8 (GT)... ~27,000

While the RX-8 is the cheaper of them (all with no options), they are still fairly closely priced.

Mazda may be shooting themselves in the foot with this one. The RX8 was meant to be a sports car that had the practicality of a sedan. The MPS 6 is a sedan with the speed of a sports car. I know most of us realize that they vastly different cars I don't think the general public would see it.

If the MPS cost less than the 8 than people will buy the 6 instead of the 8, but if the 6 cost more than the rx8 than the MPS six might not sell.

It just seems like the cars are too close apperance and price for Mazda to sell them both effectivley (but I hope I am wrong because the MPS 6 would be pretty bad ass).

The 6 has its own caracter, I don't see it stealing sales from the 8 or vice versa. It's also not a econo box on steroids like the evo or wrx. With its projected pricing I think Audi, BMW and Jag will be feeling most of the heat. I am interested in seeing the awd "sport" sedan shoot out... A4 quattro, 330xi and X-type vs. the new kid on the block Mazda 6MPS. Mazda is really making some big moves in the market and can't wait til the new 7 hits, lookout!!

Good point. I guess the MPS would be in a much differnet class than the 8. I forgot about the size and space difference.

I wonder where the MPS Miata Turbo (190hp) due out in December fits into the scheme? It will have roughly the pwr/wgt ratio as the S2000.:cool:

just wondering ... where did you here that the mps 6 would make production? I would really like to see the article. Thanks :)

www.autoweek.nl

I hope you can understand Dutch ;)

That is a long way away. so they won't be out until mid '05 or late '05?? I want to buy a car now...not in 3 years...

Only 1,5 years...

Turbocharged 4-cylinder AWD sounds like a WRX/Evo competitor. I'd be curious if Mazda is planning on putting the MPS 6 on the rally circuit. I believe one of the rules though is the engine has to be 2.0 L (thus why WRX and Evos are all 2.0 turbos).

Faith in Mazda engineers not-withstanding, WRX and Evo do have a certain amount of credibility from their rally uses. Or would an MPS 6 be a different target altogether?


As for an MPS 6 conflicting with the Rx-8 market, wasn't there a similar concern for the 350z and G35c? How'd it turn out for those two cars?