crossbow

Btw the 0-60 in 6.2 number was prior to the final drive change. The car's mileage dropped about 2-3 mpg, but it should be a bit zippier now acceleration wise.

The MPS 6 also has a water cooled center differential, which is hella nice since similar awd systems tend to have a problem with overheating on the track, and forcing the car into FWD only modes.

Mazda has also invested heavily in buffing up the L3 engine, with bigger radiator, larger coolant capacity, forged internals, oil cooler, and increased sump size. The amount of engineering going into the thing is quite impressive.

The most disappointing features are the weight (its about 550 lbs heavier then a 6i mtx), and the loss of utility by not having the rear seats fold down. (Rear bracing behind the seats prevents folding).

Besides those two factors its a really great deal for the price. Start comparing it to something like a TSX, and you'll realize its a pretty good bargain.

Mazda definitely isn't pushing this forward as a sports car, but a fusion of sports, utility, and luxury. Primary reason its not designed to compete against the rx8? No adjustable front camber.

T.T.

I don't know why these threads keep popping up. Has anyone considered why they made the Mazdaspeed version so heavy? You would think that they would get rid of some of the weight to make up for the addition of the all-wheel drive system. They probably didn't to make sure it was slower than the RX-8, which is their sports car.

Ike

I'll be shocked if it's slower than the RX-8, even with the extra weight. Don't forget that 6.2 is an estimate from the manufacturer which is always on the conservative side. Once C&D gets their hands on it I think we'll see mid to high 5s and low 14s out of the MS6. If they can't achieve those numbers they should not even bothered releasing the car.

DARKMAZ8

Actually, There are 2 different versions of the ms6. One is fully loaded and one is a base. I'm not sure which one was used at the weigh in but I'd say it was the fully loaded one. In any event, I wouldn't be suprised if the ms6 could run a high 13 with minimal mods done.

Steiner

I think the concern over the lofty curb weight is valid though. I mean we can't realistically expect a 2800 lb sedan, but 3500+ lbs is a bit on the piggish side. I know next to nothing about the Haldex AWD platform, but I know the VW R32 is a bit on the portly side too. Is it this particular drivetrain that tips the scales or is it just a collection of various things. I honsestly have no idea, but if the MS6 can put around 230awhp/240awtq it should be good for a high 13/low 14 second runs in the 1/4 mile with a sub 2.0 second 60ft time...I hope.

DARKMAZ8

280tq @ 3000rpm

It has double the torque in half the time then the 8.......sheesh

I hope to see one of these with some serious weight reduction at the track.

T.T.

This may be true, but I don't expect faster slalom or skidpad times. The extra weight won't help out with the cornering, so this car should be treated like any other RX-8 competitor.

Ike

Ridiculed because it's faster and therefore called ugly at every opportunity?

crossbow

Darkmaz8,

The base model is 3589 lbs. The loaded model (GT) is 3650 lbs.

On the standard 6, you can shave off about 50 lbs of weight by just replacing the stock rims. Since the MPS 6 is using even larger (and heavier rims) you can probably drop even more weight off.

The car really needs a buff up in tire sizing too...Its got 7 inch wide wheels and 215/45/18 on a 3600 lb car. Mazda really should have followed the example set by mitsu and subaru and gone with a more decent 17x8 235/45/17 tire/wheel sizing. At least this leaves a nice upgrade route for those looking for better performance. (You will have to roll the rear fenders to fit that though).

Getting rid of the body cladding will shave some weight off, it appears you could just swap the standard urethene panels from a normal 6 on it, saving weight, and creating one hell of a sleeper.

Don't know really what else you can do to save weight though. Most of it is from the AWD system, the body reinforcement, and the drivetrain/engine buff ups. The thing holds more oil then the v6 model does...

termigni

does it come in white? this car definetly isn't ugly at all. i've always liked the way 6 looks.

Ike

I haven't seen an official color list but some of the test/prototype cars were white.

termigni

i just checked and yes, it does come in white.

KYLiquid

Im trying to find where I saw the lap time, but here were some testing shots. I bet you could call tokyo on that thing....lol, jk

RX-Hachi

Yes.

Macius8

iTrader: (3)

It needs some wider wheels bad. I saw a regular 6 with wider rims, I belive the tires were 265's or 255's, cant remember, but it looked tight.

cgrx

I like it


^^looks like a Volvo in white ^^

crossbow

That may have been the 6 with the wide body kit.

The widest we've been able to fit normally is 245/40/17 with 17x8's. You should be able to squeeze 17x8.5's on there with proper offset.

NVMYGT

I've thought about trading in for the MS6, but I'm going to wait for the test drive. Also, my friend bet me $100 that I cannot wait until the Mazda Crossport comes out to get a new car. I've traded 3 cars in 3 years. I'm going to take her $100 and add it on top of the down payment for whatever car I get next...maybe the MS6.

Macius8

iTrader: (3)

I dont think it was a wide body. All the body panels looked original, unless im blind It was some time ago and I remember glancing at the tires amd seeing the size, but who knows. It looked real good.

T.T.

Well...yeah.

crossbow

Macius,

245/40/17 on 8 inch wide has about 5mm of clearance on the inside front. Its really tight in there. You'd basically need a custom offset wheel in the front to fit 17x8.5 with 255's. Possible? Yup. Likely? Not really.

However there is a turbo 6i running something like 18x10's with 265's with a widebody kit driving around in the states, with a few others on the clubatenza.jp site. The flared fenders don't look that much bigger, but its amazing what an inch of additional space can give you. Its a real shame the guys with the wide body kits are putting a staggered setup on the 6...wide rear tires for the great understeer .

JeRKy 8 Owner

I've already owned two RX-8s...what makes you think I'd give it up for another car?

On a more serious note...as I've already stated in the older Mazdaspeed 6 thread...I probably would have thought about this car if they had offered a turbo Mazda 6s (V6) instead of a Mazda 6i.

But even if Mazda had been crazy enough to release a turbo V6 to compete with the Sti and Evo, I still couldn't imagine giving up my RX-8 for one.

m477

The MS6 looks like it will be nice car, but I would never trade my 8 in for it. The 8 is already pushing the limits of how big and heavy of a car I would own. The only Mazdaspeed I would give up the 8 for would be if they make an MS version of the new MX-5.

As for performance, I think it's pretty obvious. The MS6 will have superior acceleration, but will be at a definite disadvantage for handling and braking, simply due to the curb weight and weight distribution. The MS6 will win at the dragstrip; the 8 will win at autoX. Relative track times will depend on how "tight" or "open" the track is.

Steiner

I just picked up a copy of SPEED magazine and Mazda purchased a 2 page add in it for the MS6. The more I see of this car's conservative lines the more I think Mazda is trying to target the older VW R32 crowd. Yes it will be turbocharged (unlike the R32), but by all accounts aftermarket support will be paultry. What you have left is a car that should have all the interior creature comforts of an R32, the safety of AWD but the added practicality of 4 doors, lots of interior head room and sufficient cargo room. It's sorta like s car for the R32 owner who's wife just had twins.

crossbow

A canadian reviewer just clocked the MPS 6 at 5.5 seconds to 100km/h.

Thats about 5.4 - 5.3 seconds to 60 mph.
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showt...hp?t=123615525

This might be the first underrated mazda engine!