ASH8

Road test: Mazda's sheer six appeal | News.com.au

Road test: Mazda's sheer six appeal

FORGET all the Mazda mumbo jumbo about Shinari, Takeri and Kodo style.

What you need to know is the new Mazda6 is one handsome devil of a car, arguably the best-looking mainstream car at the recent Paris motor show.

That's a huge call but justifiable when you discount dream cars like the F-Type Jag, McLaren P1 and other ultra-expensive machines no mere mortal can buy.

As an affordable four-door sedan or wagon the sexy 6 has been in gestation for about two and a half years and is the first passenger car in the Mazda line-up to feature a full suite of SkyActiv fuel saving technology. It also ushers in a 2.5-litre petrol SkyActiv four-pot engine as well as some really clever electronic technology clumsily named i-Eloop. We reckon Mazda6 could easily become the segment benchmark when it gets here early next year.

VALUE

Though no pricing was forthcoming at the heads-up presentation and drive taste we attended this week in Paris, Mazda would be foolish to overcall the card on this one. We would think it will start in the low $30K bracket

and rise to the high $40K mark. Three models will be available, possibly mirroring the current Touring entry level, Sport mid-level and Luxury top level grades. No manual will be offered here despite being available overseas. All Aussie spec' Mazda6s will have a six-speed auto with lock up on all gears and higher grade cars sporting paddle shift.

Equipment levels will be generous with all variants featuring Bluetooth connectivity, multi-info display screen, 60:40 split-fold rear seats, 17-19-inch alloys, climate control, steering wheel controls and a human machine interface system.

Leather, Bose audio and all the trimmings will be available higher up the scale.

TECHNOLOGY

The i-Eloop system is essentially a capacitor to store electric energy harvested from deceleration and braking for restarting the engine using the i-Stop system and to power electric ancillaries when the engine is shut down momentarily.

Two engines will be offered; a 2.2-litre turbo diesel with 129kW/420Nm output and a 2.5-litre four cylinder naturally aspirated four cylinder petrol with 141kW/256Nm.

DESIGN

They've been refining this coupe-style car for a couple of years and taunting us with a number of "concepts" but the wait was worth it.

New 6 is a big medium car due in part to Mazda's desire to attract American buyers. It has been designed to look like a predatory beast ready to pounce with muscular haunches and shoulders represented in the pronounced front and rear guards and sleek style lines along each side.

It looks striking in the metal, particularly in the newly developed metallic red signature colour.

Inside matches the exterior for design excitement and features a premium look, cockpit style driver's area, soft touch panels throughout and new fascia materials including buffed chrome highlights. The sedan has a longer wheelbase than the wagon but both offer generous interior room particularly in the critical rear legroom area.

SAFETY

It's a five-star car with a range of primary and secondary safety features for injury mitigation and also collision avoidance. Pedestrian safety is addressed in the design of the front end.

Radar cruise control is available together with forward obstruction warning, lane assist, rear vehicle warning, high beam assist, smart brake and smart city brake which stops the car if the driver fails to apply the brakes with an obstacle in front.

DRIVING

We were able to take both engine variants for a decent spin in the French countryside, crawling through villages and on the motorways at very high speed.

Our initial favouritism of the punchy diesel waned after a stint in the 2.5 petrol which has an exhaust note enhancing system that even utilises the Bose audio system on high end variants.

The diesel has super strong throttle roll-on as you'd expect from 420Nm and is surprisingly smooth and quiet thanks in part to a balance shaft inside the engine block, also in the 2.5.

But the smooth petrol sprints away at higher revs with a stirring snarl from the exhaust. It has impressive acceleration too, aided by slightly less weight and even blips the throttle on downchanges when using the paddle shift.

The Euro spec' cars we drove offered sporty dynamics and a firmish, well-controlled ride with responsive electric steering and strong brakes.

The set-up was a good compromise for a car destined as a family sedan or wagon and all that entails.

Fuel economy can drop into the high 4.0s (litres per 100 KMS) in the diesel and into the high 7.0s for the petrol especially with all the SkyActiv technology in play.

VERDICT

Ooh la la ... we like it. Stunning looks, bigger than you think, premium interior, impressive powertrain choices. Bit of tyre noise on the bigger wheel models and don't know what the spare will be but this car is something special. Due early next year.

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AT A GLANCE

Mazda6

Rating: 4.5/5

PRICE From $32,000 (est)

WARRANTY Three years/unlimited

RESALE N/A

SERVICE TBA

SAFETY 5 stars

ENGINES 2.2-litre twin turbo diesel; 129kW/420Nm; 2.5-litre petrol four cylinder 141kW/256Nm

TRANSMISSION 6-speed automatic; FWD

DIMENSIONS 4.8m (l), 1.8m (w) almost 1.5m (h)

WEIGHT 1375kg-1430kg

SPARE Space-saver likely (NO..)

ASH8

SPARE Space-saver likely is incorrect, can confirm for Aussie spec 6 we get a Steel Rim (16x5J, 185/55R16 87M) Spare Tyre.
I would assume North America will also, but can't yet confirm.
UK gets a puncture repair kit only.

77mjd

30-40k = FAIL. I guarantee you that car will not sell in the USA if it's in that price range.

I know it won't matter for most people but I won't even consider this car with out a manual transmission option.

Mazmart

iTrader: (12)

That's an Australian article with Australian market pricing in Australian currency. Have no fear. It will be well priced here.

Paul.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

A performance car, I would agree. But, a FWD Touring car, I would get that in an automatic.

kvndoom

Guess Australia is getting "Americanized"?

pdxhak

iTrader: (2)

I need to see it in person because the last round of exterior changes made for the production model is rather bland.

zoom44

everyone picks out their own little moments in the article but this stood out to me the most. thats an interesting decision on their part. Im assuming it was to increase the rear capacity to meet or exceed some other bench mark wagon

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

Nothing unexpected seeing that the CX-5 did well on a similar heavier and taller platform.

Looking forward to a more thorough review with notes on its efficiency.

ASH8

6 Speed Manual Transmissions are available for both gas and diesel Mazda 6's.

They are the same as CX-5....with some slight gear ratio changes on some gears.
But..
C601 Trans Case for Manual..same as CX-5
D601 Trans Case for Diesel...same as CX-5

ASH8

As for US pricing...it will be similar to your current Mazda 6..

monchie

The recent Mazda 6's and the new Mazda 6 is not the style I like...the style of it is like a family sedan...if you know what I mean. The 03-04 is the only one I like...it's a sporty style sedan...like the Evo.

ASH8

You will find that the all new Mazda 3 in less than 18 months will be larger than current BL series and almost the same size as the old GG Mazda 6 of 2003-2006 MY.

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

So what will fill the void in the compact segment? An all new 2? And what will fill the void in the subcompavt segment? A "Mazda 1"?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Maybe the next rotary will be a Mazda 0...


My sympathies for Aussie not getting a Manual. Doesn't bode that well for the US? Usually the Aussies get a better option range than we do. I love how good the ATs are getting, but it would have to be a completely crap manual before the AT edges it out as the winner. Even for a grand touring commuter car.

Mazmart

iTrader: (12)

Don't let Ash confuse you. They are still building cars that compete pretty squarely against their rivals. 6 goes up against Camry and Accord. 3 goes up against Corolla and Civic etc. The sizes will remain within their segments. Some Mazdas are actually shrinking in some dimensions in order to drop their targeted weights.

Paul.

ASH8

No Confusion, no replacement model Mazda has 'shrunk' over the past decade..none.

And Yes there is an all new 2 by 2016, and yes a Mazda 1 was on the cards, it was posted here about 3 years ago, with pics.

More than like the 2 will be discontinued in the US due to it's poor performance, in fact Mazda might even pull out completely due to it's pathetic US market share (jk), with or without a GFC...40+ Years in the US and still can not get over 2%.

The rumour of a smaller MX-5 is still a rumour, I will believe it when I see it, seeing the new Alfa will be on the exact same chassis with a larger engine (Fiat) than what Mazda (Skyactiv) will use, so they say...we will see, nothing is in concrete with the MX-5/Miata.
Remember a 'smaller' MX-5 is not not to sell very well in the US.

ASH8

New 2013 Mazda 6 review - What Car?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

More reviews:
Autoweek: 2014 Mazda 6 sedan drive review - Autoweek

Inside Line: 2014 Mazda 6 First Drive

Autoblog: 2014 Mazda6

ASH8

Inside Line..

Gee some journalists writes some crap...
WTF does this mean...

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Isn't the 2014 6 2.2 inches shorter than the outgoing 6?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Exactly. The PT cruiser has overwhelming torque, enough to spin the tires on launch. At least for 1 full axle rotation. Then reality kicks in and you start looking in the mirror to see if someone snuck a 48ft trailer onto your optional tow hook when you weren't looking.

ASH8

I don't consider a US made 6 to be a 'real' Mazda
My conversations are based on Mazda's out of Japan.

Mazda Sedan 'Production' has just started..

ASH8

The i-Eloop Capacitor is located on the left side of car (just under Battery) and there is only one for each car..priced at $1200 each (approx) as a OE replacement part. #GKH8-67-ZC0A

The i-Eloop Converter is located under the left Seat GKH8-67-Y60A and about $350.

Alternators...
PE01-18-300 W/O i-Eloop $218
PY1C-18-300 WITH i-Eloop $585

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

Its understandable once you look at a typical no-nothing consumer. My sister for instance. SHe was in a market for a small compact daily driver. She settled for a Honda for the superior deal they gave her over Mazda. It was between the Honda Fit Sport and Honda Civic coupe.

Granted the Honda Fit Sport is FAR superior in terms of handling and steering feel compared to the Civic, she thought the Civic's steering felt more "stable". In my mind, it meant numb. Some times consumers just have no idea that more steering feel is better, they just think "Oh ****, what's all this information being sent through this round object?!"