Posted on Thursday 6 September 2007
The new Mazda6 has been revealed in all its glory ahead of its unveiling at next week’s Frankfurt Motor Show. The new model, once again available in sedan, five-door hatch and wagon bodystyles, brings a new sense of style and design that we predict will lure away customers of more expensive makes. The pictures reveal a dynamically styled model that make rivals like the Toyota Camry and Subaru Legacy look like design school rejects.
Mechanically, the new Mazda6 shares much in common with Ford’s Mondeo range but its dimensions are smaller and its kerb weight will likely be less as well. Officials have revealed that one of the key goals in designing the new Mazda6 was to keep weight low. Not surprisingly, the car weighs less than the outgoing version but also offers more interior space and performance. Less weight also leads to correspondingly lower fuel-consumption figures and less carbon-dioxide emissions than the current too.
Some of the new features of the Mazda6 include xenon headlights, LED detailing, active cruise control and parking sensors. Inside, there’s dual-zone climate control, an engine starter button, heated seats, voice-activated controls and a Bose stereo system. Though we suspect many of these features will be only available as an option, it’s still impressive to see a carmaker offering such lavish features in one of its mainstream models. We’ll post up a story with all the official goodies once the car makes it debut in Frankfurt but until then enjoy all the stunning pics.
Via: km77
Jaguar needs to dump Ian Callum and hire the Mazda designers. Seriously.
This looks very impressive. Mazda\’s the one company that knows how to deliver in terms of design. Even the Mazda2 is hot and I don\’t even like small cars!
Beautiful! As a current Mazda 6 owner I think the new 6 is just beautiful. I love the more aggressive, RX-8-style fenders. Inside, I wish Mazda had kept the round air vents in the center, but those probably would not have meshed well with the nav screen. I don’t need the push-button starter (is twisting the key so hard to do???) so I’m wondering about the future of the cool Mazda switchblade key.
Glad to see that although larger and with more powerful engines, Mazda remembered to put the car on a diet. Not that my 6 “feels” fat, but all other new cars/trucks/SUVs get heavier with each redesign — to me that’s just lazy engineering.
Story reads that less weight leads to lower fuel economy. Should not that be Higher fuel economy?
Otherwise great read and good for mazda. Less porky car is better and it is beautiful.
Higher fuel economy = lower fuel consumption.
Think about it
very nice. where are the side indicators? its a euro model in those pix! us spec ones wont have rear fog lights
次期アテンザのデザイン確定
Motor Authority » Revealed: 2008 Mazda6 次期アテンザ(Mazda6)の写真が公開されてました。 5ドアのリアの造形が美しいな。 でも日本には、セダンとワゴンのみ導入という噂も。 ぜひ日本でも5ド…
BEST OF NEW CAR IN THE MIDDLE CLASS !
Don’t be fooled by the look my friends. When the first gen Mazda6 came out I almost bought one (I was able to hold off a few years and bought the 2005 Altima 3.5 SE, I was glad I did). The design was outstanding by the time, and I would say Mazda has done it again. But, looks aside, the mechanical stuff sucks. I had the opportunity of driving a new 2007 Mazda6 4-cyclinder for 10 days straight. The MZR engine has no torque, despite how Mazda’s ad campaign would put it. Every left turn at the traffic light was a hassle for the lack of off-the-line acceleration. Cramped interior and floaty ride have made myself (the driver) and the other 4 passengers nauseated. There’s a reason why Mazda is not one of the big 3 Japanese player. I also had the chance to test drive 2008 Altima 2.5S. The car felt like it has a small block V6 in there. Fast, with instantaneous shift response for the CVT. Lightweight? Altima would beat the much smaller Mazda6 hands down. The Altima has aluminum hood, trunk lid, and suspension components to reduce weight. I don’t think the Mazda6 have those.
gameyu is obviously full! his pro nissan remarks are totally ridiculous!
(he/she owns one)
boo
Well see for urself. I test drove all Mazda6 trim level and all Altima trim levels, base Camry plus a few American sedans b4 I landed on my Altima. Now I am doing this AGAIN for a second family sedan. I have test drove more than one Mazda6 plus rented one PLUS driven the other rental Mazda6s (coz I want a Mazda6, it looks good). I thought it was a defect for just one car, but it turned out to be not the case. Off the line accel is one big tell tale of the engine design and quality and it was enough to disqualify my purchase of the Mazda6.
I’ve owned my Mazda6 since 2005 and love it. I drove the Altima, Accord and Camry but because they were bland (Accord and Camry) and Altima (pinball game like interior) I went for the Mazda. I don’t dispute that the Altima had more torque (25 percent more at the time) and that you could feel it off the line with the automatic transmission. It also felt very heavy on the front end, almost truck-like in feel. I chose the 5 speed manual of the Mazda because you can attain good acceleration if you know how to use a clutch. As good as any Altima. Of course I chose the V6. My decision for the Mazda, believe it or not, was mainly due to the fact that the Mazda felt virtually identical to my previous ride: a 2001 BMW 330Ci. I actually chose the Mazda over a new BMW as cost was a factor but the Mazda mimic’ed the BMW in almost every way. I was impressed that the Mazda rarely felt like a front wheel drive car and definately shows great character when travelling down your favourite twisty road. My next car purchase will put the Mazda6 square in the running but I’ll be looking at the Honda, Nissan and Toyota line as usual. I must say the new ‘6 looks sweet. Then again there’s the BMW 335Ci………
The reason why MAZDA is not one of the “big 3″ Japanese players is that they refuse to turn out bland cookie-cutter cars aimed at the average American buyer. The engineering from MAZDA is top-notch despite Ford’s involvment and as for handeling and performance it is true that on any given weekend there are more MAZDAs being raced than any ohter marque. If all that you are interested in are straight-line accelaration and living-room ride than a MAZDA is probably not for you. I hope they never change or lose their way again as they did at the turn of the century when they tried to make cars based only on Mass-appeal.
I was an owner of an original Mazda6 from 2002 to 2006. Perhaps, that makes me qualified to comment. I think this new design is actually uglier and blander than the old one, appearing bulbous and unadventurous. It’s dashboard looks like a minor disaster - with panels stacked up too high. Its interior does not break any new ground. This is truly disappointing. The Mazda3 actually looks much better, especially the facelift ‘SP’ models. I do agree with ‘Gameyu’ regarding Mazda’s inferiority in the engine and transmission departments. Higher than average noise and a busy low-speed ride were also weaknesses. I bought the first Mazda6 because of its 3-series-like handling. But, I’ve since upgraded to an E90 3-series because it’s the real deal. I think the promise of the first model has been reneged.
I just Bought a Mazda3 07 and it was awesome. I tested Nissan Altima and the new Versa. For the comparison: I belive none of the Nissan ALtima and New Versa has the stuff in a Mazda sedan car like Mazda3. Mazda has the auto wiper, auto light, manual adjusted xenon light, LED back light, two different color of gauge and every info that you wanted to look at such as fuel km remaining, average km. Like Nissan Altima top level or Versa top level dosen’t even have a Projector light with no Xenon. How can it compare to Mazda.
For suspension: everything is set. Versa dosen’t even have 4 plate disk brakes. don’t even try to talk about Altima compare to Mazda6. Because if you want performance from Mazda6. Just consider getting Mazda6 Speed,
- Jacky
Will the 2008 Mazda 6 be available with auto transmission in the UK
reg
John
“I chose the 5 speed manual of the Mazda because you can attain good acceleration if you know how to use a clutch. As good as any Altima. Of course I chose the V6.” I
have to admit buddy, I do like this comment, as it really made me laugh. You really need to brush-up on your Car and Driver or Motortrend. Your puny 3.0 would be LUCKY to even see the taillights of my 05 Altima 3.5 SE. Get real. When the Altima first came out as a redesigned model in 2002, it was THE fastest front-wheel drive car that Motortrend ever tested. Everyone else decided they needed to “jump on the bandwagon” after that. I didn’t buy my Altima for the interior or handling. I bought it for the engine, as most of the 3.5 guys did. Ward’s rates the VQ35DE engine as one of the best for what, 12 or 13 years in a row now???? Where’s Mazda? My point? WATCH what you say before you post. “As good as ANY Altima” Yeah, sure. The new Mazda6 does look stunning and maybe Mazda will finally get “on par” with Altima, Camry and Accord power standards.
And please, hold the MazdaSpeed6 comments…….first of all, a REAL engine doesn’t need the assistance of a turbo or supercharger to make a car fast. The VQ35DE in the G35 is making 300+ horsepower WITHOUT any help, LOL. The is no replacement for displacement!!!!! Second, the MazdaSpeed6 was limited edition and cannot be factored into a debate in which the debated individual doesn’t even posses one. THAT I know.
correction*****THERE is no replacement for displacement”.
I have to say that the new Mazda 6 it’s a good example how to improve an existing nice car: the 2008 model got a cool euro-looking and very nice interior design, even better than most japanese automakers nowdays.
I drove a Mazda 6 as a rental for the last couple of days. The car was fun to drive, apart from the engine: the 2.3L non-turbo felt very weak, especially in 2nd and 5th gears.