The new Mazda6 has been comprehensively developed
from the ground up: it has attributes that create what developers call
Kizuna, or a strong emotional connection between the car and its
driver, like a close friendship. It has vastly improved quality feel,
better handling and performance for an exclusive driving and ownership
experience, and it is larger for an insightful package so important to
customers.
Sustainable Zoom-Zoom
The ‘Sustainable Zoom-Zoom’ development strategy
at Mazda Motor Corporation was announced in March 2007 and is targeting
an enhancement of Mazda’s environment compatibility and safety.
Consequently, during development of the second-generation Mazda6, one
of the main focuses was a further improvement in environmental
compatibility. Mazda began strictly controlling the weight of its
newest vehicles (compared to their predecessors) with the
third-generation MX-5 (+1 percent) and the all-new Mazda2 (-10
percent). The same weight-watching techniques were applied in
developing the new Mazda6 with the result that, despite being larger
and better equipped, the newcomer is up to 2.4 percent lighter (- 35
kg) than the outgoing model. This reduced weight is combined with a
dramatic improvement in aerodynamic performance and an insightful
application of engine technologies to ensure that, regardless of model
or powertrain, every new Mazda6 uses less fuel and emits less CO2 than
the outgoing model.
“The new version not only inherits the first-generation model’s highly
acclaimed aspects, but also shows dramatic advances in its distinctive
design, exceptional functionality, and responsive handling and
performance – the three essential elements of Mazda DNA. I believe that
Mazda’s determination to build cars that ‘look inviting to drive, are
fun to drive, and make you want to drive them again and again,’ while
also advancing environmental and safety performance – is perfectly
embodied in the new Mazda6.”, said Seita Kanai, Director, Senior
Managing Executive Officer in Charge of Research and Development
Exterior Design Theme – Bold and Exquisite
While inheriting the same athletic image of the first- generation model, the all-new Mazda6 is decidedly sportier and more aggressive with rounded, protruding wheel arches, short overhangs and a new front end. A smooth, rounded bonnet interrupted by sharp edges at the sides formed by prominent and sporty-looking fenders creates a sense of tension and dynamism. A new front bumper design has new headlamps with a modern, next-generation design, a large lower air intake and vertical-type fog lights. To this is added a new interpretation of the five-point grille to give the latest Mazda a strong face. Seen in profile, the new Mazda6 is characterised by side-body lines that flow towards the rear of the car in a series of expressive changes that create patterns of light and shadow. The new rear end is richly sculptured with large, wrap-around rear lamps and a license plate integrated into the bumper for a more premium look than before.
The new Mazda6 sedan is longer (4,735 mm, + 65 mm), wider (1,795 mm, + 15 mm), taller (1,440 mm, + 5 mm) and has a longer wheelbase (2,725 mm, + 50 mm) than the outgoing sedan. Despite these increases, the new Mazda6 sedan is sporty-looking for a four-door – a characteristic that clearly defies the usual sedan ‘three-box’ design.
Sporting the same dimensions as the sedan, the new Mazda6 hatchback is characterised by a sleeker, coupe-like profile – easily recognisable by its third side window – compared to the outgoing hatchback. Its roofline is sleeker than the sedan’s and falls away less steeply at the rear. The Mazda6 estate is the longest of the new models (4,765 mm, + 75 mm), and it is wider (1,795 mm, + 15 mm) and only slightly higher (1,490 mm with roof rails, + 10 mm) than the previous model. It has a more prominent kick-up beltline and a sleek glass area with body side surfaces that flow into the tailgate.
Interior Design
On the inside, designers continued the ‘bold and exquisite’ theme
of the exterior. Here the new Mazda6 is sporty and sophisticated with a
completely new look that is carried out with a dramatic improvement in
quality, vital to providing an ‘exclusive experience.’ A sense of
sportiness was achieved by realising an intimate cockpit design that
lets the driver experience Mazda6’s enhanced Zoom-Zoom driving fun to
the fullest, while contributing to a feeling of being at one with the
car. In parallel, they created an overall interior with a wrap- around
feel for a feeling of safety and comfort. Mazda6 also uses a
floating-look instrument panel that lends the front of the cabin visual
lightness and contributes to an overall sense of openness and space.
The door trim has sharp lines and precisely shaped grooves embedded in
their curved surfaces for a strong sense of quality.
Sports Appearance Pack (SAP)
The new Mazda6 can be chosen with a Sports Appearance Pack for even more emotional appeal and sportiness. It has a unique design for the front end with a special flying-wing front grille, side sills and rear bumper, which create a highly sculptured look. The rear spoiler is sharp and sporty-looking, and 18-inch alloy wheels and special metallic-look rear combination lamps add a touch of sophistication. When combined with the new Mazda6’s improved build quality, this second-generation sports appearance pack is truly sporty and aggressive with a more integrated look than ever before.
New 16, 17 and 18-inch alloy wheels are introduced with striking three-dimensional spoke designs. The 18-inch wheel has robust-looking spokes and large cooling openings for a sense of high performance. The new Mazda6 will now offer customers 12 exterior colours to choose from, including one all-new colour called Lilac Silver Metallic.
Cavernous Boot
The new Mazda6 has a completely new luggage compartment design, with one of the segment’s widest rear openings – 1,066 mm (for the estate version). Even more importantly, for the first 700 mm from the opening inward, Mazda6’s boot is one of the widest in this segment, at 1,146 mm. This means that loading heavy suitcases requires less effort because they can be stowed close to the tailgate/boot opening, not further toward the rear seats. The boot volume with all seats up is between 510 litres (Hatchback) and 519 litres (Estate/Sedan). And of course the new Mazda6 inherits the acclaimed Karakuri rear seat-folding system. Just pulling a latch in the boot side trim panel automatically folds the 60/40 rear seats down (hatchback and estate) with no need for troublesome opening of the rear doors or removing the head restraints. To this is added a new Karakuri tonneau cover that automatically moves up and down with the liftgate (for the estate). With the rear seats down, the new Mazda6 has a load floor length that is 45 mm longer for the estate (1,926 mm). The hatchback load floor is 39 mm longer (1,879 mm) and this model has a VDA load volume floor-to-ceiling of up to 1,702 litres.
Engine Options - New MZR 2.5-litre Petrol
Topping the new Mazda6 engine line-up is a new MZR 2.5-litre petrol derived from the former model’s 2.3-litre power unit. Though it has a larger bore and stroke, it is engineered with a smaller bore pitch and an unchanged block height, which gives it the same compact size and low weight as the 2.3-litre petrol. It produces more maximum power of 125 kW/170 PS (+ 4 PS) at 6,000 rpm and maximum torque of 226 Nm at 4,000 rpm – about 10 percent (+ 19 Nm) more torque at low to mid engine speeds than the 2.3-litre.
This new engine is highly efficient. It uses sequential-valve timing (S-VT) to adjust the timing of valve opening and closing for optimised operation at all engine speeds. High power and torque are realised by improved flow characteristics in the intake ports. Exhaust resistance has also been reduced by improving efficiency in the exhaust manifold, which optimises engine output even further.
The combination of these new components and technologies results in a new top-of-the-line petrol engine that is more powerful and fun to drive than the previous 2.3-litre. With this engine, the sedan sprints from 0-100 km/h in just 8.0 seconds with a top speed of 220 km/h and uses only 8.1 litres of fuel per 100 km on the combined cycle – 0.6 litres less per 100 km than the previous 2.3-litre, which represents a 6.9 percent improvement.
Engine Options - MZR 1.8-litre and MZR 2.0-litre Petrols, and MZR-CD 2.0-litre Diesel
The second-generation Mazda6 inherits three engines acclaimed for their spirited, reliable and frugal natures from the previous model, all of them updated to use less fuel than before. The most popular engine of the line-up is onboard: the MZR-CD 2.0-litre common-rail turbo, which still comes with a diesel particulate filter system as standard. This four-cylinder, 16-valve, SOHC engine now comes in a single high power version that uses second-generation common-rail direct injection with up to 1,800 bar injection pressure and multi-stage injection of up to six times per cycle for superior combustion efficiency. Several engine technologies ensure smooth operation similar to a petrol engine. Its intake shutter valve reduces air intake by approximately 25 percent at idle, which effectively eliminates idle knock. It has a relatively low compression ratio of 16.7 : 1, which minimizes engine speed fluctuation and vibration, and it uses a dual-mass flywheel.
The new Mazda6’s MZR-CD 2.0-litre turbo diesel produces 103 kW/140 PS of maximum power at 3,500 rpm and 330 Nm of maximum torque at just 2,000 rpm, for lively engine performance and responsive driving fun. It has a variable-geometry turbocharger with low inertial moment and a very compact design that achieves a shorter distance between the exhaust gas inlet and the turbine shaft. This results in quicker acceleration, high power and torque and a top speed of 204 km/h. Combined with the new Mazda6’s sleek body and low coefficient of drag, this lively turbo diesel requires just 5.6 litres of fuel per 100 km on the combined cycle (sedan) – 0.4 litres less than the previous 2.0-litre diesel high power (sedan), achieving a 6.7 percent improvement.
Also carried over from the previous model are two MZR petrol engines in 1.8-litre and 2.0-litre displacements, both now more fuel-efficient than before. The 2.0-litre produces 108 kW/147 PS of maximum power at 6,500 rpm and maximum torque of 184 Nm at 4,000 rpm. It features electronic throttle control for great drivability, VIS that optimises the charging effect in the intake manifold according to engine speed by varying the length of the intake passages, and S-VT to ensure optimum power delivery throughout the rev range. On the road, the sedan with this engine has a top speed of 214 km/h and sprints from 0-100 km/h in 9.9 seconds, while using just 7.0 litres of petrol per 100 km combined – 0.8 litres less than the previous 2.0-litre petrol (sedan) for a 10.3 percent improvement.
The MZR 1.8-litre base engine also has VIS and an electronic throttle. It produces 88 kW/120 PS of maximum power at 5,500 rpm and maximum torque of 165 Nm at 4,300 rpm, while using just 6.8 litres of petrol per 100 km combined (sedan) – 0.9 litres less than the previous 1.8-litre petrol (sedan) to record an improvement of 11.7 percent.
