Mazda 6 / Atenza

Debut: 2008
Maker: Mazda
Predecessor: Mazda 6 Mk1 / Atenza


Driver appeal distinguishes the old 6 from rivals. Now it is going to take the success even further...

Ask what Mazda was a decade ago, you might recall a dull product portfolio consisting of 323, 626, Demio, Millenia etc. Yes, apart from the niche MX-5 and RX-7, Mazda was hardly renowned for driver appeal. So what changed its image by 180 degrees ? That was the first generation Mazda 6. The Mazda 6 surprised people by its great handling, firm ride and sharp steering. It converted Mazda into a driver-oriented brand and won 1.3 million sales worldwide, among which some 450,000 units went to the driver appeal-demanding European market. This was unusual for a Japanese car indeed. Now the second generation aims to take this success even further.

Although the new Mazda 6 breaks no new ground in automotive design, it is a handsome car nonetheless. A sleek profile combines with crisp lines and sharp headlights to form a modern and sporty appearance. Cd has been lowered from 0.30 to a remarkable 0.27, which should aid fuel economy and top speed. The inverted triangular grille is a signature of the old car, while the pronounced front fenders have strong resemblance to RX-8. My only criticism is about the details - for example, the various bumper intakes could have been arranged more elegantly. These flaws could hurt its long-term visual durability, if not showroom appeal.



Though breaking no new ground in design, it is a handsome car nonetheless...

Unlike many people's believes, the new 6 is not derived from Ford Mondeo's EUCD platform but the old Mazda 6 platform. It grows in all dimensions - 65 mm longer, 15 mm wider, 5 mm taller and 50 mm longer wheelbase - but is still compact by class standard. It is smaller than Volkswagen Passat, let alone the oversize Mondeo. Brilliantly, by using more high-strength steel in the chassis and by trimming unnecessary weight from all kinds of components, it achieves greater chassis rigidity, better crash protection and simultaneously a reduction of 35 kg of kerb weight in average. Torsional rigidity of the 4-door sedan is increased by 14 percent, while 5-door hatchback even gains 30 percent. These factors translate to better handling, refinement, performance and fuel consumption. Another good job after Mazda 2.

The chassis still rides on double-wishbone suspensions up front and multi-link suspensions at the back, which is already the best configuration today. The front suspension subframe has 6 mounting points instead of 4 and softer bushings to reduce NVH transmitted to the chassis. Other sound deadening improvements contribute to a reduction of 2.5dB (or 45 percent) road noise to the cabin. Mazda proves that clever engineering can reduce weight and NVH simultaneously. Take note, Mondeo. The rear suspensions' trailing links have their front pivots positioned higher to reduce tail lift under braking, while the dampers are mounted more upright to improve responsiveness.



Longer, wider and taller than its predecessor, the new car managed to be 35 kg lighter. Brilliant !


4-door sedan (shown here) is expected to sell better in Japan, while 5-door hatchback is the star in Europe...

On the road, the Mazda 6 continues to delight keen drivers. Its lightweight and compact size means it is more nimble in the twisty  than Ford Mondeo - currently our class leader in dynamics and overall. Its firm and controlled ride, fine body control, excellent grip, powerful brakes and good resistance to understeer put smile on the driver face. Even its electrical power steering seems to be the most sensibly weighted and feelsome of its kind. This is the most engaging drive in the class. However, in terms of refinement it still trails Ford Mondeo a little, blame to the pronounced wind noise generated by the door mirrors. The Mazda also has a firmer ride than the Ford, thus its occupants are subjected to more shocks and road noise over coarse surfaces. Otherwise, it is nonetheless a refined ride by class standard.

In terms of engine and performance, the Mazda 6 is competitive enough. 4 engines are offered at launch: 120hp 1.8-liter, 147hp 2.0-liter VVT, 170hp 2.5-liter VVT twin-balancer shafts and 140hp 2.0-liter 16V common-rail turbo diesel. In particular, the 2.5-liter four-pot is a bored and stroked version of the former 2.3-liter unit. It gets lighter pistons, con-rods and a dual-mass flywheel to reduce vibration. It enjoys a slight power and torque boost while consuming 6 percent less fuel. On the road the 2.5-liter is smooth but less potent than expected, so you need to use the slick 6-speed gearbox to extract performance from it. By doing so, 0-60 mph can be done in 7.9 seconds.



Lightweight and compact size gives it decisive advantages in corners...

Inside, the cabin of new Mazda 6 neither thrills nor disappoints. Its design is conventional and initiative, with some classy details like the orange and blue back-lit dials and steering wheel-mounted controls for audio, sat nav and air con. On the downside, it does not feel as high quality as Passat, Mondeo or Laguna, blame to the hard plastics used at various places and the feel of weight savings throughout the cabin. Although there is more rear legroom and shoulder than the old car, its rear headroom is limited by the sloping rear window. Access to the rear cabin is also made difficult by the sharp-angle C-pillars. This mean 6-footers will be better served in its rivals.

Overall, Mazda 6 edges out Ford Mondeo as the best driver's car of the mid-size family car segment. However, if comfort, refinement and quality are equally important to you, the result will be reversed.

 

What Mazda 6 loses out to others is the cabin - cramped at the rear and short of visual desirability up front...
 
The above report was last updated on 20 Jan 2008. All Rights Reserved.
 

Mazda 6 (America)


Size matters in the USA, so Mazda has supersized its 6.

The last generation Mazda 6 was not very successful in the USA market because by American standard it was too small. All its main competitors - Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima and Hyundai Sonata - are a size larger. Therefore this time Mazda specially designed the American version to be larger. From these pictures you might not see the differences, because it has successfully retained the handsome design of the world version. But tape measure will find the American version some 185mm longer, 45mm wider and 65mm longer in wheelbase. With the same powertrain combo, it is around 120 kg heavier than the world version.

The weight penalty paid off in cabin space. Now 6-footers can finally rest comfortably behind two 6-footers. It matches Honda Accord and Toyota Camry for cabin room while eclipsing them in truck space. Despite of the much larger sheet metal, the cabin employs the same dashboard and console design as the world version. That means it appears to be much higher quality than the old car and matches that of its rivals in North America, if not the high standard of European sedans. Like the exterior, the clean and sporty design of the interior could lure buyers from the camp of Accord, Camry and Altima.

 

It can easily beat Accord and Altima for driving fun, thanks to better balance, better steering, better damping and, well, just everything.

Despite of the bigger and heftier body, the American car has retained much of the keen handling of the world version. It can easily beat Accord and Altima for driving fun, thanks to better balance, better steering, better damping and, well, just everything. The new powertrains are also up to the job - the base engine is the familiar MZR 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 170 horsepower. Mated with a slick 6-speed manual box, it has just the right punch to pull the 1.5-ton car. Above that is a new 3.7-liter V6 (from CX-9 crossover) and 6-speed Aisin automatic gearbox. The V6 is a bored-out version of Ford Taurus' 3.5-liter Duratec. It pumps out 272 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque, a huge improvement from the old car's 3.0-liter Duratec. With this engine, Mazda 6 should produce competitive performance figures. The only downside is a higher fuel consumption than its rivals' V6s.

With a stylish look, roomy interior, competent engines and class-leading handling, the American Mazda 6 is easily the best family saloon in the North American market. Ultimately, it is neither as agile nor as eco-friendly as the world version, but those compromises are nothing to American.
The above report was last updated on 31 May 2008. All Rights Reserved.






Specifications




General remarks

Mazda 6 1.8
Mazda 6 2.0
Mazda 6 2.5
Layout
Front-engined, FWD
Front-engined, FWD
Front-engined, FWD
Chassis
Steel monocoque
Steel monocoque Steel monocoque
Body
Mainly steel
Mainly steel Mainly steel
Length / width / height 4735 / 1795 / 1440 mm 4735 / 1795 / 1440 mm 4735 / 1795 / 1440 mm
Wheelbase 2725 mm 2725 mm 2725 mm
Engine
Inline-4
Inline-4 Inline-4
Capacity
1798 cc
1999 cc 2488 cc
Valve gears
DOHC 16 valves
DOHC 16 valves, VVT DOHC 16 valves, VVT
Induction
-
VIM
VIM
Other engine features
-
-
-
Max power
120 hp / 5500 rpm 147 hp / 6500 rpm 170 hp / 6000 rpm
Max torque
122 lbft / 4300 rpm 136 lbft / 4000 rpm 167 lbft / 4000 rpm
Transmission
5-speed manual
6-speed manual 6-speed manual
Suspension layout
F: double-wishbone
R: multi-link
F: double-wishbone
R: multi-link
F: double-wishbone
R: multi-link
Suspension features
-
- -
Tyres front/rear
205/60R16
215/50R17
225/45R18
Kerb weight
1320 kg
1335 kg
1355 kg
Top speed
123 mph (c)
132 mph (c)
137 mph (c)
0-60 mph (sec)
10.1*
9.0 (c)
7.9 (c)
0-100 mph (sec)
33.9*
-
-
Performance tested by: *Autocar



Mazda 6 2.5 (America)
Mazda 6 V6 (America)

Layout
Front-engined, FWD
Front-engined, FWD

Chassis
Steel monocoque
Steel monocoque
Body
Mainly steel
Mainly steel
Length / width / height 4920 / 1840 / 1470 mm 4920 / 1840 / 1470 mm
Wheelbase 2790 mm 2790 mm
Engine
Inline-4
V6, 60-degree

Capacity
2488 cc
3721 cc
Valve gears
DOHC 16 valves, VVT
DOHC 24 valves, VVT
Induction
VIM -

Other engine features
-
-

Max power
170 hp / 6000 rpm 272 hp / 6250 rpm
Max torque
167 lbft / 4000 rpm 269 lbft / 4250 rpm
Transmission
6-speed manual
6-speed automatic
Suspension layout
F: double-wishbone
R: multi-link
F: double-wishbone
R: multi-link

Suspension features
-
-
Tyres front/rear
215/55VR17
235/45WR18

Kerb weight
1480 kg
1610 kg

Top speed
130 mph (est)
155 mph (est)

0-60 mph (sec)
8.0*
6.1* / 6.2**

0-100 mph (sec)
21.6*
15.4* / 15.5**

Performance tested by: *C&D, **MT






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