Frankfurt Auto Show: New Mazda 6

Other sources say-
 
Unfortunately, the U.S. model, which may see the light of day at either November’s L.A. auto show or the Detroit auto show in January, will wear different sheetmetal. We're also told that it could ride on a completely different platform that the Euro-spec car. According to Mazda, this is because the North American car needs to “look bigger.” Car buyers, it says, think the current car looks too small in relation to other mid-size sedans. -quote C&D

moparbad is 100% wrong.
 
Anybody who works at Ford (or Mazda) knows this will be the North American Mazda 6.

I am sorry to disagree, but the styling is not my idea of "gorgeous". I'm not saying that it is ugly, i simply don't care for it, Especialy the area around the fog lights - it's too busy. And the way that the rear deck-lid arches up looks BMW 7 series-esqu....not a good thing. IMO, the Mazda 3 is much more simple and better becuse of it.
 
Then again, it simply may be this particular color or the pictures that i don't like. It probably looks alot better in person.

I like everything about it except the truncated trunk. The giant Mazda symbol on the steering wheel looks out of place, though.

I love the giant Mazda symbol on the steering wheel! And one of my fears have been allayed: it won't have the rather boring styling of the Accord and Camry! I just hope it's not too large. I actually think the station wagon version is the best looking.....I'm pissed-off that won't be coming to the US!
 
Suby, I also hope the Mazdaspeed version will use a better AWD system. I would love a torsen but I don't think that will happen because of costs....perhaps they could use a system similar to what Subaru and/or Mitsubishi use for the STI and Evo!

Take a close look at the rear windshield. Notice the rear wiper. That's a hatchback. I don't think we'll be getting that in the US. I imagine the tail of the sedan will look at least slightly different.
 
As to the rest of the car, the grille looks a bit Lexus. I guess turnabout is fair play since the current Camry seems to have taken the Mazda3 grille.

I was about to say something positive about the design of the hatch I saw in the photos, which I liked. Then reading an above post, it seems they may try to find a way to withhold a great design from the USA. IF hatch or wagon comes, I would place a high priority on shopping it.
   If a manufactuer withholds certain product from us just because they want to sell you something larger taller and tippy like a crossover, The best solution is to buy from a different manufactuer.

I hate to burst your bubble guys, but I think it's safe to say that there will be no Mazdaspeed version of the new 6, given the poor sales numbers of the last one.
 
However, I would give some hope to the getting the "hatch"back. (It's more of a fastback, not a huge difference from the sedan.) The reason I say this is Mazda current offers the "hatch"back, and I think it is doing well, probably because the only obvious visual difference between it and the sedan is the rear wiper.

estreka,
 
The reason the trunk looks "truncated" is because it's a hatchback. I think it gives the car a sportier look, but that may just be me. The sedan looks different in the back. Jump over to AutoBlog and check the photos of the sedan over there.

Wow, sure resembles the euro Contour's greenhouse. That's gotta be shared glass everywhere. I'm talking about the one that was featured in the last Bond movie.
 
Love the RX-like fenders.

to turdrunner- What I posted is a quote and is word for word correctly quoted from Car and Driver.
 
Also, since you are implying that you work for Ford or Mazda would you please share some of your "insider" information?

I really wish Ford and Mazda success with this new design. As a multiple-time Honda Accord owner, I can honestly say that this new 6 would be my top choice if I were buying a new midsize. The Accord and Altima are going to have some real competition here.
 
Great work guys.

If this does indeed weigh less than the outgoing model, I give Mazda a big thumbs up!

this is the most beautiful car to me in years. looks very similar to the new mercedes s550. i have never owned a mazda and am wondering how the quality of their cars measure up.

I agree.. stunning car. Compared to the new accord sedan...Honda should be ashamed.
 
Hopefully, the NA car is the same. This is the second Mazda car that will be lighter than the outgoing generation (Mazda2 was first afaik). Also, I'm hoping this fad of "lighter" catches on with all car companies.

Looks good. The car have some cues from the Lexus GS on the back (this is a hatchback model) and a little bit of RX-8 in the front. The USA version may get a different steering. Will see. Powerplants? 3.5 V6, and maybe a 2.4 or 2.5 4cyl? No idea on the small 4 cyl. The MS6 did horrible in sales due to the non marketing and PR from Mazda. All the attention was given to the MS3. MS6 for the future? Maybe a twin turbo V6 w/AWD. Just dreams...

its pretty good looking but
 
i see some camry solara in the front end and alil sebring in the rear.

trd4runner - u are completely RIGHT....moparbad as no clue as to what he is talking about....u don't need to be an insider to know the real facts
Mazda has no intentions, whatsoever, to give the N.A market a different Mazda 6....all markets will get the same car, but in variying bodystyles and with different engines....both the Sedan & Wagon should be making the trip over to the USA,possibly the Hatch....base models will grab that 4-cyl engine,while higher-specced models grab the V6....expect a diesel engine in the not-too-distant future as well
 
Car & Driver have simply overlooked what Mazda have been really saying....that their new 6 does not use the platform of the new Ford Mondeo,and that Mazda developed the car by itself
 
loven this 6....looks amazing, the interior looks sharp....though a bit cheap down towards the gear level/HVAC area
 
my major concerns were that this car would pile on the weight and load up on fuel, but thankfully it sounds as though Mazda have revearsed this trend and are making a bigger,better,more powerful 6 with lower.....Mazda deserves to kick Toyota's ass with this 6....the Camry is no competior to this car
 
p.s a MPS model is rumoured to be under development,even if the current one hasnt set the world on fire....expect it in 2009

I've gotta admit, that's one of the best-looking 4-doors out there. I'm drawing a blank for relatively affordable cars that pack that much visual punch.

When I saw the pictures of the new 6, my jaw hit the floor. I was a HUGE fan of the first gen 6, but this new design completely blows the first gen (and every other midsize sedan on the market) not just out of the water, but off the planet!
The sedan is extremely as a whole, the front end vaguely reminds me of a stretched Lexus IS, which is a very good thing. The muscular RX-like fenders are a brilliant design feature and give the front end a truly muscular appearance other cars in this segment sorely lack. But the rear reminds me a little too much of the Sebring around the taillights, though the tailights have much more intricate detail / visual appeal than those on the Sebring. The 5-door is even better executed, the truncuated trunklid is a sporty touch and is perhaps the classiest 5-door on the market. And then there's the wagon... this is simply the most beautiful wagon ever! It looks like it just drove off the set of 'Minority Report'; stylistically speaking, the Magnum and Outback can't touch this with a ten foot pole! The interior looks extremely well crafted, if not entirely originial. The dark color pallete, precision detailing and deeply recessed, red backlit gauges were obviously inspired by VW/Audi... all very good things, though.
 
The entire new 6 lineup is a landmark design, without a doubt. It is a landmark not only because of the incredible styling, but the fact Mazda is going against the current trend of increased power/increased weight over outgoing models by implementing the much smarter increased power/lighter weight than the outgoing model, is a turning point. This is a trend that will hopefully catch on quickly in the industry.
And Mazda, PLEASE have the sense to bring the 5-door AND the wagon to America! Hatches and especially wagons are quickly becoming hot markets here, and to deprive us of these stunning variants would just be unimaginably cruel!
 
The 6 will have every other midsize entry level sedan beat hands down in terms of styling and in terms of variants. If Mazda competitively prices the 6, Mazda is going to be crying all the way to the bank and Toyota/Honda/Hyundai/Cheverolet/Pontiac/Ford are going to weep as the 6 leaves the Camry/Accord/Sonata/Malibu/G6/Fusion in the dust...

Touché on the hatch observation. I haven't seen one in so long ('01 Integra), I forgot what they looked like.

WOW! I try to remain impartial since I have an 07 mazda3 5door but I was holding my breath on this new Mazda6. This is better than the outgoing model. With the 3.5 V6 it should match up to the Camry, Accord and Altima V6's better. Looks much better than the gawky Camry, new Accord and Altima.

I love it. It definately looks more like a entry level luxury car than its competitors. Sporty exterior with a sport/luxury interior. I hope they can bring it to us without much price increase.
 
Will this be an 08 model for us in the States or will it be an 09 for us? When can we see one at a dealership?

I'd have to agree that it is unlikely Mazda will be shipping a different version of the new 6 to North America, especially with Alan Mullaly running FoMoCo. With the new emphasis on world cars I really hope we are getting this newer, lighter Mazda6. So many cars are growing to be too large, heavy and sluggish, and I support any automaker who is making cars lighter instead of heavier.
 
It would be great to get all three versions of the new 6 (sedan, hatch, and wagon), but we probably won't get the wagon, and we can thank our average, ignorant fellow American car buyers for that because they have yet to realize that they should be buying wagons instead of Hummers. (I think this is one place where people will support that last statement) Our fellow Americans are the reason we are denied rocket sleds like the M5 wagon, RS4 and soon the RS6 wagon. I just want something that goes like hell, holds a little more stuff than the average sedan, and doesn't risk going belly-up in the twisties.
Mazda,
Please give me a Mazda6 wagon...and make mine turbocharged.

"There will be a dedicated new Mazda6 for the North American market, designed and engineered specifically for North America."
 
From the official press release at Frankfurt. Hopefully, that means a 3.7L V6 and US crash safety standards, and nothing else. But knowing the douchebags that seem to run these companies, I doubt it.

Where is the 3.7L V6 that i keep seeing writen about in blog rooms? I belive the CX9 has the 3.5 from Ford. Is this a whole new engine? Why would they use a new engine when the 3.5 will work and is ready to go.
 
When do we see the North American Mazda6?

The new Mazda V6 3.7L engine, Japan built, is in the 2008 Mazda CX-9 and most likely it will be in the Mazda6 (my guess too). The 2008 CX-9 tranny , although a 6-speed auto, is different from what Ford uses. The same tranny will probably go into the Mazda6 (my guess too again).
The rumor is that the Mazda6 will be built in Japan this time around.
Just rumors ... I think we'll have to wait and see.

what i suspect it that the 4 cylinder models will be built in japan, while the 6 cylinder models will all be built in US. Mazda doesn't assemble any cars with Ford sourced motors in Japan. Anyways I'd prefer the 4 cylinder anyway, especially with the new redesign and higher hp output.

Ford Mondeo anyone?

What a gorgeous design. I hope it looks as good in person as it does in pictures. I own the current 6 wagon. It won't take much prodding to trade it in for the new one if it has the same visual impact on the show room floor as it does in pictures.