As usual the U.S. market is a few steps behind when it comes to Mazda. This refreshed version of the Mazda6 is headed for a debut at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show in March. The Japanese get to sample it even earlier as it's just gone on sale in Japan as the Atenza.
Other than a few minor styling updates, the biggest news emerging from this update is the installation of Mazda's new "Sky G" a new four-cylinder engine which delivers both improved mileage and lower emissions. No word yet when the U.S. will get in on the action, but it shouldn't be long.
UPDATE: Mazda officials confirmed that the new DISI 2.0-liter engine is not part of the Sky-G engine family.
cjasis says:
02:23 PM, 01/27/10
Why doesn't the US benefit from that beautiful wagon? Maybe more Americans would pull their heads out and buy wagons if they were available.
redliner says:
02:35 PM, 01/27/10
Every time Mazda updates a model it seems to gain 15% more Nagare
jederino says:
02:42 PM, 01/27/10
+! cjasis, Give us the handsome wagon!
flicmod says:
02:56 PM, 01/27/10
+1 to both cjasis AND redliner! The former for common sense, the latter for wittiness!
subytrojan says:
03:19 PM, 01/27/10
Gorgeous! Wagons FTW!
thejohnp says:
03:53 PM, 01/27/10
Wonder if the US will ever get the Sky-D diesel engine option.
DLu says:
04:57 PM, 01/27/10
I would pay almost anything for a Mazdaspeed6 wagon.
carlisimo says:
06:38 PM, 01/27/10
Everyone on car websites keeps declaring their love for wagons, but when they're made available no one actually buys them. Buying a new car is the only way of voting for its existence that counts.
billt9 says:
07:38 PM, 01/27/10
I think most manufacturers are waiting to see how the CTS wagon fails, I mean, how the CTS wagon does, before introducing more wagons.
bc1960 says:
08:12 PM, 01/27/10
I think the last year the Mazda6 wagon was available in the US (2007), Mazda sold approximately 4000 units--I didn't try to Google it, so someone correct me if I'm wrong. Since the North American Mazda6 is now a unique, extended wheelbase/body car from the rest of the world, the extra engineering, and tooling the AutoAlliance factory, for such small volume just isn't on. Too bad, because the wagon is the best-looking body style in the first generation, and the second-generation ROW car. Plus, since the ROW car is lighter and the 4-cylinder is more powerful than the first-generation, it might have been possible to have the wagon with the 4 as well as the gas-sucking V6. I know I would have preferred the wagon over the 5-door, had the 4-cylinder been available.
Mazda usually refreshes cars after their third year on the market, which would be the 2012 model year for the North American car instead of 2011 for the ROW, but I suppose they could move it up if they thought it would improve sales.
firstwagon says:
08:24 PM, 01/27/10
"Everyone on car websites keeps declaring their love for wagons, but when they're made available no one actually buys them"
I drive a wagon.
gharry says:
08:34 PM, 01/27/10
I wish we we got the world car. My 2003 6 is big enough. I don't need or want the bloated US version.
zoomzoom22 says:
10:44 PM, 01/27/10
I agree with DLu. If there was a Mazdaspeed6 Wagon, I'd literally buy one within the week.
cjasis says:
07:56 AM, 01/28/10
"Everyone on car websites keeps declaring their love for wagons, but when they're made available no one actually buys them. Buying a new car is the only way of voting for its existence that counts."
We just ordered an A6 Avant. We had to wait nearly a month to even find one to test drive. And then we had to order one because finding one the way we wanted it equipped was nearly impossible.
I maintain that people will buy wagons (witness the overwhelming popularity of the Jetta Wagon TDI) if the product is good.
santiagofdz says:
08:55 AM, 01/28/10
Is it just me, or does the car look like an nagare-updated previous gen mazda 3?...I kinda wish the new 3 would look like this.
somberlaine1 says:
10:15 AM, 01/28/10
I said this in another post and will say it again. Mazda needs to stop wanting to be like Toyota and Honda and just give us the global 6.