Mazda6 Sedan

kenoka

http://thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=4953&sid=175&n=156

audia8q

Job1 of the Mazda6 in Flat Rock (US mfg plant) is expected to be Oct 23. With expected dealership ETA around the end of Nov or early Dec....latest word is the 5 door will arrive early spring of 2003 and the wagon a couple months after.

This is the latest info direct from Mazda.

Rich

tiredofmanual

until 2006 when the new cleaner-burning diesel regulations take effect. Right now, our diesel is so un-refined that it would ruin the emissions equipment on the modern diesel currently used in Europe, which has had cleaner-burning diesel for many years now.

kenoka

Is there anything on the horizon to force improvements in our gasoline so that we could see Gasoline Direct Injection as well as diesel?

mazdafun

Even the MazdaUSA site no longer uses the term "future project" when referring to the hatch or wagon.

I'd like to test-drive them all and figure what balance of handling prowess/practicality fits me.

tiredofmanual

I honestly couldn't tell you. Actually, I was unaware that the quality of our gasoline was delaying the introduction of direct injection gasoline engines.

wie_gehts

The new Mazda 6 will be available in Europe as of June 8. I've read a report on the new Mazda Diesel engine and it was extremely positive, usually, the Japanese don't have good diesels because none are sold in Japan. have not seen a test drive of a gasonline 6 yet. I was wondering though, they were boasting that they could eliminate some dozen pounds of noise dampening materials because the new platform and suspension would eliminate a lot of road noise by construction. Well, that's nice, but wouldn't it be better to leave the say 20 pounds of dampening materials and rather have a quieter ride than any competitior??? Who is going to care whether the car weighs 20 lb. less, more important is how quiet and comfortable it is. Maybe they can cut the cost by doing so, but I thought it is a weird statement that they can reduce insulation material.
By the way, I know this is about the Mazda 6, but a funny thing is, I remember all the recalls and troubles with the Ford Focus in the US. While just now In Europe the Ford Focus was given the title of most reliable car among the 1-3 year old, on the first place, before any of the Hondas, Toyotas or BMWs! Obviously, the place of manufactuer (which includes components from different suplliers in different countries) might be even more important than the design ...

ickes_mobile

The current diesels will not meet emission quality standards to be imposed in the US in 2006. As such, no manufacturer except VW and Mercedes has gone to the trouble of certifing their diesels for sale in this Country.

I found the statement about eliminating sound insulation troubling as well. The abundance of road noice in our Accord and noise in general in our Contour are my primary complaints with both cars. I'm not sure their plan will work either. One of the few critisisms of the Mazda6 that appeared in the CAR magazine review was about road noise.

ickes_mobile

http://www.mazda.co.nz/mazda6/news/maz_web_new_ph_001.html

mazdafun

A well-designed and manufactured chassis can allow you to use less, because the body itself creates less noise (rattling, squeaking etc.). The remaining noise is road (tire slap and so on), wind and impacts from little rocks and stuff in the wheel wells and the underbody.

The Mazda6 will not be a quiet car in the way luxury cars are. The designers say that they actually tune the "good" noises (engine and exhaust notes) and let these into the cabin. Personally, I like hearing these noises, if they sound nice. Makes me feel more "in touch" with my car. Mazda knows this won't appeal to the mainstream, but will appeal to their target market, which wants their vehicles to be a good value and fun to drive.

kw_carman

Hi Mazda 6 guys (or "people"). I am looking around at newer cars and have a few general questions, but don't want to read all 809 postings to find their relatively simple answers.
When will it be available in the US, and what will the base price for it be?
Thanks

kw

ambull

Try post #802, yesterday, for latest availability info. The base price is supposed to be about what the 626 is now.

ickes_mobile

Road and Track has a short artical about the Mazda6 from the press preview in Italy. Very favorable comments.

They also had a good piece about the current trend in car names.

kenoka

From BBC Top Gear's Road Test of the 6:
"Some faults did become apparent on the test drive. The cabin is noisier than expected, with road rumble and tyre noise infiltrating the cabin. But Mazda is aware of this and claims that additional sound-deadening will be fitted to production 6s."

http://www.topgear.beeb.com/content/cars/cars/C6/B2/roadtests/01.html

jrct9454

...and yes, here's hoping they choose to do something about the road noise. As noted before, this is the only blemish on the otherwise still-excellent current generation Accord. Honda is notorious for ignoring this problem, so it will be interesting to see if the new car coming in Sept is any better.

In any case, vive la competition...this class looks better every day...

qbrozen

there it is again. Mention of the 16x hp 2.3. Or, am I wrong? Is bhp the same as hp? I always assumed it was.

So, will we get 160+ or 150 in the 4-banger?

not that I really care because I'd be looking at the 6-cyl. woohoo.

ickes_mobile

I always like how the auto journalists suggest that buying the four would be as good as the six because if the engine sound and how much you get to row gears. I tried this approach on my Contour and still wish I would have gotten the six, because its adequate - not exciting. Next time, no doubt about gettng a six.

I also noted in the R/T comparo that included the Jaguar X-Type that the Ford 3.0 V-6 is massaged to make 231hp.

jrct9454

...means Brake Horse Power, and yes, in this context, it is interchangeable with the old standby, HP.

Mazda seems to have added to the confusion by giving different journalists different numbers at different times for the 2.3, not to mention that SAE horses are a teeny bit more muscular than DIN horses. Consensus on the 2.3 seems to be 160 SAE bhp for our market, but as Nissan can tell you, until they get the engine in the car and on the dyno for the EPA tests, nothing is set in concrete.

And yes, it seems ironic that the engine that needs more help from the transmission [the 4 cyl] has to make do with a 4spd automatic while the 6 cyl gets the 5 spd automatic. May be good marketing, if questionable engineering...

mazdafun

Cost is more likely the culprit behind not making the 5spd AT available for th 4cyl.

ickes_mobile

Automobile Magazine had their impressions of the Mazda6 in the July issue's Driven section. Again, very favorable comments regarding all apects of the car.

tulanekid24

Just wanted to post that I just got to see the Mazda 6 today. It was officially released in Germany today. It is a very nice car, beautiful.

The European models of the Mazda 6 DO NOT offer a V6 engine. The Top of the line engine is the 2.3l 160hp engine (there are also 2 other 4 bangers 1.8 and 2.0 and a diesel engine). The car was very nice. It was loaded with all the goodies -- headed leather seats, washer for headlights, DVD navigation system, nice 17 inch alloy wheels, Stability and traction control.... and the price is 32,000 Euros or about 30,500 US dollars.

The dealer that I went to was very nice and he offer to let me test drive it on Wednesday (Today was the premier of the car and the dealer only had 2 of them.. a blue and a yellow one. We set up an appointment.) So, I will report more on it then and try to take my digital cam with me and get some pics. So, far the car looks like a winner... nice interior, huge trunk and roomy back seat. Good job mazda!!

jrct9454

...should note that the price includes the onerous Value Added Tax which is somewhere north of 17% in Germany [17.5? 18.0?], before everyone has a fainting spell.

rsparrow

Hi all,

I found still more pix of the Mazda 6, as well as the RX-8 and other models, at Mazda's Netherlands site. The nice thing about these pictures is that they are in 1024x768 or 800x600, not the smaller ones we've all seen before.

http://www.mazda.nl/wallpaper/frame_home.html

johnclineii

A sort-of review (paid PR?) from the Morgantown Dominion Post (I say sort of review because I am not sure I see ANY critical comments, nor do I remember this service ever having any...) Click on June 9, then select the Mazda 6 story..

http://www.dominionpost.com/a/autos/2002/06/09/aa/

ickes_mobile

must be looking at the new Mazda6 because you can't get on www.mazda.de!

mazdafun

I think that was a slip. I thought it was an "E-link" multi-link & strut suspension in the rear (lifted from a previous 929).

And I'm very jealous of you Germans right now....well, except for the VAT.

fwatson

Pops right up for me. Even sings zoom zoom zoom.

ickes_mobile

I should pop right oup at 4:58AM!

I got on this morning. Aside from the 360 degree views, I don't know if there is anything new.

wgr

I just read that this car is not going on sale in the U.S. for about a year ??!! Is this right. ?

johnclineii

Where did you read that? Everything I am reading and hearing has the sedan here in the US in late November/early December. Hatchbacks and wagons to follow several months later.

pippin

The Mazda 6 sedan is expected to go on sale in Canada in late November, early December. No exact word on the wagon or 5-door variants as of yet, but the Canadian dealer network has been pushing VERY hard for these sooner rather than later.

Early Japan sales numbers point to the 5-door version (or Sport as they call it) as the most popular out of the gate.

ickes_mobile

at least its in english!

http://www.mazda6.co.uk/brochure/brochure.asp?title=Digital+Brochure

kenoka

23 city 39 hwy. Very nice.

ickes_mobile

0-62 in 9.0 seconds. Very average.

vocus

Is that economy in US MPG or Imperial? The highway rating seems kinda high, which is good if the car can hold to its promise.

And 0-60 in about 8.5 is very good for the rated fuel economy that was published.

taddison

Don't be fooled by the U.K. fuel economy numbers - the U.K. gallon is bigger.

Divide by 1.2 to get U.S. numbers: 19 city, 32.7 highway, 25.8 combined.

These numbers are still misleading, however, as the European test cycle is not the same as the EPA test cycle. It looks like the Euro numbers are lower in the city and higher on the highway than the U.S. numbers might be for a 2.3L engine.

tomcat630

I found this in fordforums.com:

"Demand for the all-new Mazda 6 has exceeded Mazda’s target by 400 per cent a week after the mid-size car went on sale in Japan."

Looks like it's off to a good start!

mazdafun

Economy might be comparable to Accords etc, but a bit too low for me, especially in local driving. Guess I'll be sticking with my Pro.

Still, it's a decent mix, esp. considering its mass.

ambull

Yesterday I read an article at Autoweek.com, which I can't find today, comparing the European Jaguar X-type with the Mondeo ST220 (220 hp version). They liked the Mondeo, but said the engine was too far forward, over the front axle, for optimal weight distribution. The question is, since the Mazda 6 is a cousin of the Mondeo, will it have the same problem?

pippin

If weight distribution is a problem that certainly hasn't been evident in the tests I have read so far. Even the Euro car mags (who have no problem harshly criticizing the cars they test) have lauded the Mazda 6's driving dynamics, offering positive comparisons to the BMW 3 Series.

Handling, steering and braking have been singled out for particular praise.

ambull

Yes, you are right, but I have not yet seen a test of the car with the V6. This could make a difference if the weight of the V6 is much more than the 2.3 liter 4-cylinder engine.

jfgoing

What is it with car makers offering down-content versions of their cars in the US? The UK gets AWD and a 5sp auto trans on the 2.3 while we get neither. Very odd if you ask me. It sounds like it's back to the A4 or Passat for me...

ickes_mobile

Remember that Europe/UK isn't getting the V-6, which is the range topper here in the US. I'm sure Mazda views the I-4 as going head to head with Accord LX and Camry LE more on price than performance. As for AWD, I don't see why it couldn't be made availabe here.

kenoka

Looking through the brochure from Mazda's UK site, they do not offer the 5 speed auto at all. In fact they only offer the 2.3 liter in the "Sport" version with the 5-door. Also, my understanding is that Mazda is planning on offering AWD initially only on the wagon; this applies to all markets.
On the other hand, we get the V-6 and the 5 speed auto available. Ah well, that grass sure looks green over there. ; )
There is a 1500 pound difference in base price between the 2.3 Sport and the top of the line 2.0TS, but no difference in price normally between the sedan and the wagon. The Sport comes standard with Traction Control and EBD, sunroof, 17" wheels, metallic paint, rear spoiler, xenon headlamps, Bose premium sound system and 6 disc autochanger. Not bad for $2200 or so. In fact I'd say that's a great deal! Also nice is that no automatic is available for the Sport version. You won't be seeing that over here, unfortunately.

jjpeter

Has a nice intro for the 6. Best viewed with IE 5.5 or higher. Lots of detail on all phases of the car. Nice pic galary also. Can't wait till this baby get stateside!

Enjoy!

http://www.mazdausa.com/mazda6_minisite/index.html

jjpeter

Anyone getting information on when the stateside pricing will come in on the 6? I'm especially interested in the hatch back or 5 door model as its sometimes called.

Anyone? Thanks!

nwng

One of the pics says 7k is the redline, I seriously doubt it with the added emission controls for the US

The seats are wonderful though

jjpeter

I don't know... The Acura RSX has a high red line, the Sentra SE-R has a near 7K red line, its possible the new line of engines from Mazda are just as high reving. Just as long as the horse power and torque curve find meet somewhere south of 6500 rpm, where its usable, it should be a fun car to drive agressively.

mddobbs

I have read in several places that a self-leveling rear end will be available on European models. Does anybody know whether that feature will be available in the U.S.? If not, why not? I can understand withholding technology due to emissions regulations, but not this one. I would pay extra for this feature, even if used rarely. The handling on the 6 seems to be its best differentiator from the competition.

wgr

In the July issue of Automobile Magazine there is a short review of the Mazda 6. The writer drove it in Rome and gives it a very good report: "standout styling", "interior...quite stylish", "even plastics are of high quality", "most impressive is the 6's stseering", etc. It says the 2.3 liter 4 = 150 hp & the 3.0 liter V6 = 219 hp. It also says both come with either 5 speed manual or 4 speed auto.

The more I read about it, the more excited I become. Although I have two concerns - 1) The price vs the 2002 prices. I am afraid they may jump up quite a bit vs the 2002 prices, especially when you add options. Maybe it is inevitable the new prices will move up to the higher models of Camry and Accord; 2) I have noticed that the recent introductions of other re-designed cars (e.g. 2002 Altima) have been greeted with rave reviews, only to be backed off some when actual road tests and comparisons are made. I guess time will tell...but I have high hopes.