Mazda introduced the Mazda 6 with the accompaniment of a vast array of talented musicians. Once of them, whom we'll call Tambourine Boy, bopped and leaped around in a frenzy, like a Michael Flatly from Lord of the Dance on amphetamines.
Tambourine Boy scared me, partly because his antics were wholly unnecessary. The Mazda 6 looks flat-out great and needs no such forced hoopla. Here's a car with true grace...
The new Mazda 6 will continue to be offered in three body styles (sedan, hatchback and wagon) and brings healthy increases in rigidity -- in torsion, the hatchback rises 30 percent, the wagon stiffens by 25 percent and the sedan squeaks up by 14 percent.
A six-speed manual will be available, and the Mazda 6 marks the debut of an enlarged 2.5-liter version of the company's MZR four-cylinder.
We're a bit puzzled by this engine's output, as it turns out a meager 168-hp at 6,000 rpm and 167 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm in European trim.
Maybe Mazda is banking on the 6's slick shape to get the job done. The sedan and hatchback boast a low 0.27 drag coefficient, while the wagon is nearly as good at 0.28.
At least weight was kept in check. Mazda reports that the new model weighs up to 77 fewer pounds (depending on equipment) than the previous 6.
That's promising. Judging from the keen driving dynamics of the original Mazda6, I'm looking forward to driving this one. -- Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor, Inside Line
carlisimo says:
09:41 AM, 09/11/07
What's weird about it? Midsized sedan standard fare has been 160hp at 2.4L, and this basically keeps up. Mazda's never been great at power numbers anyway, except when it's gone turbo.
moparbad says:
09:48 AM, 09/11/07
More HP, higher fuel economy, and lower emissions for a car that is lighter than it's predecessor is puzzling? How so?
SubyTrojan says:
10:09 AM, 09/11/07
It looks fantastic!
alfalfa33 says:
10:51 AM, 09/11/07
The car looks fantastic. I have a 2003 Mazda 6 with the V6 and 5-speed manual, and while it lacks the luxury of an Audi or the true performance of a BMW, it's a terrific car. Am definitely looking forward to this next one.
Still, I keep hearing conflicting reports about it. Some reports say that this is the styling, then others say that this is the Euro styling, and that the American one will look different (to make it look bigger), and then I hear that it's running on the Mondeo platform, then someone else says it's not, and that's it's the next generation CD3 platform.
I wish Mazda would just clear everything up already.
comp386 says:
12:39 PM, 09/11/07
Camry 2.4L gets 158 HP
Altima 2.5L gets 175 HP
Accord 2.4L gets 166 HP
I say that 168 looks pretty standard here. It's the best Mazda can do without redesigning the engine. Remember that Mazda is competing with companies much larger than it. It's going to have to rely on Ford and Volvo picking up some of the engine research slack.
estreka says:
02:53 PM, 09/11/07
That's pretty scary when you have to rely on Ford for your engine development.
It's a great-looking car. Not as exciting as the new Altima, but pretty close.
mirth says:
06:02 PM, 09/11/07
Could be my next car. Fantastic.
blackadder5639 says:
07:53 PM, 09/11/07
Correction: 2008 Accord 2.4L gets 180 hp.
I'm pretty sure Toyota will upgrade the 2.4L soon. So I agree that 168 hp is on the low side. But:
1. Since the Mazda 6 should be lighter than Accord, Camry and Altima, 168 hp may not be too bad!
2. I have a feeling it would depend more on torque spread. If the engine has to be revved to produced good torque, people will complain. If the 0 to 60 time is lower than the competition, people will complain.
Styling: I like the front view but not the rear view.
7driver says:
10:24 PM, 09/11/07
Correction to the correction: Accord LX sedan 2.4 is 177hp, 161lb-ft. EX sedan 2.4l is 190hp, 162lb-ft. Also, the "News" section says the Mazda is 170hp.
alfalfa33 says:
06:35 AM, 09/12/07
Just read the official Mazda press release for this car from Frankfurt. Everything was terrific up until this line:
"There will be a dedicated new Mazda6 for the North American market, designed and engineered specifically for North America."
Boo, Mazda, boo.
desiathate says:
07:46 AM, 09/12/07
you know what i think ,,if u see the last gen mazda or well the one thats on right now the euro and North American one looks a lot like but just have diff in engines and little details so i am guessing that this will the case with this one and if anything they will just new and i think more powerfull engines for the us. i just hope they dont mess wit the lights cuz i think they look very nice and the car is so much better then the new altima i say that cuz my uncle has one and well when u get close u start to see its not very well put together inside importantly.
blackadder5639 says:
06:38 PM, 09/12/07
"There will be a dedicated new Mazda6 for the North American market, designed and engineered specifically for North America."
I just lost interest!
SubyTrojan says:
04:14 PM, 09/13/07
So sad. :(
jungster says:
10:05 PM, 09/19/07
This is a beautiful design. Its cohesive, flowing in an organic sort of way, dynamic in its stance, and original. Why would Mazda even consider tinkering with it for the US market? To me, Mazdas are the best looking Japanese cars. Also, Mazdas have an identifiable design DNA, all their cars are recognizable as Mazdas. I think they are the only Japanese manufacturer to do this. Honda and Toyota, in particular, have no central design philosophy. I point out the Cvic and Accord as a prime example of this. Without the nameplate you would never guess they came from the same company.
I wish Honda would hire away Mazda's designers. Combine Honda powertrains and chassis with Mazda designs and you would have some great cars.