2008 Mazda6 Thread

[SDNR]

I'm sorry, Mazda does not have any design philosophy at all, it is all purely about styling trends -- there is no intention or meaning behind any of those styling characteristics, it is purely an assemblage of other designers ideas.

[SDNR]

Originally Posted by hu§eindesign

The new 6 has more from the RX-8 than from the CL. I think Mazda is on a good way to create an own look for them. And this car a very good step towards it

That is true, but Mazda took inspiration from Chrysler in the first place.

[Osnabrueck]

Originally Posted by Rob

I'm sorry, Mazda does not have any design philosophy at all, it is all purely about styling trends -- there is no intention or meaning behind any of those styling characteristics, it is purely an assemblage of other designers ideas.

I'm really surprised at you Rob. From a styling point of view, Madza has done far better than its peers to assemble a unified range of vehicles that say speak to the brand's strength and intentions. The speed with which they've been able to carve out their identity from the morass that used to be Mazda is nothing short of remarkable. With the exception of the MX-5 Miata, they've played a pretty sharp game.

[SDNR]

Originally Posted by Osnabrueck

I'm really surprised at you Rob. From a styling point of view, Madza has done far better than its peers to assemble a unified range of vehicles that say speak to the brand's strength and intentions. The speed with which they've been able to carve out their identity from the morass that used to be Mazda is nothing short of remarkable. With the exception of the MX-5 Miata, they've played a pretty sharp game.

Excuse me, I didn't know there were so many Mazda fanboys around here

Sure, their vehicles are up-to-date with their styling, but it is still a plagiarized assemblage of styling elements -- I don't "feel" much of a unique philosophy at all.

[monster]

Originally Posted by Rob

I don't really feel like pointing out all the details but there is a big Mercedes influence with the front wheel arches (taken from the CL), the rear [bumper etc] is very reminiscent of the A6 Avant. the pointed front grille is obviously taken from Cadillac and Mercedes-Benz. There are some strong BMW and Lexus styling elements in the overall design too.

I am sorry if this is now considered trolling.

Ron you are not trolling, I think ojis wasn't serious anyway. The front wheel arches on the Mazda 6 is taken from their RX-8 which was on the market 4 years before the new CL was launched, and Mazda has always used the pointed front grille for their cars. This is the 2000 Mazda 626, it has the pointed front grille as well. - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

This new generation of Mazda 6 is just a combination of the previous Mazda 6 and the RX-8.

Originally Posted by hu§eindesign

I have to say that you guys are too hard on designers!
sometimes I really worry that if I design any car in the future you'll find 20 other cars in it
There are no 100% original cars. The car has a lot of european flavore to it because the design team is partly european and the chief designer is european too. And I see it as a developement of the look Mazda was creating for the last 10 years or so.

The new 6 has more from the RX-8 than from the CL. I think Mazda is on a good way to create an own look for them. And this car a very good step towards it

Dam right. Mazda's design revolution has definitely save the brand, and their cars the most stylish and good looking out of all the Japanese brands. Their design is very refreshing and modern. It can easily go so wrong, witness Subaru and their new cars.

[SDNR]

.

[hu§eindesign]

I have to agree with Osna that I'm really suprised Rob.
I think Mazda, along with Nissan are the most consequent japanese makers in the design department. Unlike Toyata, who change their design every two years, or Honda and Subaru who do not have a design philosophy at all.
If you're expecting Car companies like Mazda to bring out an icon everytime they present a new car then you're expecting too much. You can be disappointed if MB, BMW or Bentley didn't, but with Mazda I think we can be happy that they present such nice, stylish cars.
Way to go Mazda

[siko]

Mazda 6 world debut in Frankfurt

Mazda Motor Corporation’s 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show stand celebrates an evolution of Zoom-Zoom with the world premiere of the all-new Mazda6 and its smaller brother, the all-new Mazda2 (first shown at Geneva earlier this year) now with a diesel offer -- the first two new-generation models to be completely new developed. Frankfurt also sees Mazda celebrating 40 years of the Mazda rotary engine, and a new look to its sports car icon, the Mazda RX-8, with its 40th Anniversary Special Edition.

World premiere: All-New Mazda6 – Zoom-Zoom Evolution

Taking centre stage at the Mazda stand at this year’s Frankfurt show is the world premiere of the all-new Mazda6, which is the company’s second new-generation car to be developed from the ground up. As it did when it was first launched in 2002, the all-new Mazda6 is poised to set a new standard in its class. It is more refined, more mature, more premium with exquisite quality – and represents an evolution of Zoom-Zoom.

The Three Key Values of the Zoom-Zoom Evolution Concept

Zoom-Zoom evolution is the concept behind the all-new Mazda6. Along with enhanced environmental and safety performance, the car has a more emphatic Mazda character in its design, dynamic performance, packaging and craftsmanship. Mazda adopted the following key values to embody the development concept:

Key Value One – Emotional and Sporty Design:
An engaging styling and dynamic performance creates a sense of delight and kizuna – a Japanese word that implies strong emotional ties such as those found between people – when the owner looks at or drives the Mazda6. Its captivating, sporty styling connects with the driver emotionally. It is also 65 mm longer, 15 mm wider, 5 mm taller, with a 50 mm longer wheelbase (sedan and hatchback) for more room on the inside and one of the widest boot openings in the segment, that makes the new Mazda6 a delight to use on a daily basis.

Key Value Two – Exclusive Experience:
Exquisite craftsmanship enhances the emotional connection between the customer and the car, adding to the delight of ownership. Exquisite and high quality craftsmanship makes drivers and passengers feel good. On the outside, body gaps are greatly reduced for a look of solid quality and on the inside higher quality materials are introduced for a greatly improved premium feel. And of course the Mazda6 is supremely comfortable, with space and features for relaxed confidence.

Key Value Three – Insightful Package:
The balance of good looks and versatile packaging brings delight to daily driving. Superb balance between engaging, sporty styling and a comfortable space. Simple, easy to use, well-thought out driver interfaces and storage space. This includes an evolution of Mazda’s Karakuri rear seat system for the hatchback and estate. Besides delivering one-touch seat-drop function from a latch in the boot panel, the system now includes an all-new boot tonneau cover for the estate that automatically moves up when the rear liftgate is opened.

Driving Dynamics

The development theme for the Mazda6’s dynamics was ”driving performance that creates oneness between the car and driver.” This was realized by an emotionally appealing, sporty performance feel, plus handling and brake performance that respond accurately to the driver’s intentions. This was achieved by a series of new features including a new, six-point mounting system for the high-mount double wishbone front suspension, the use of electric power assisted steering for a more rigid steering feel with less transmission of disturbance from the road, lowering of the car’s coefficient of drag (Cd) to 0.27 (down from 0.30) for the sedan and hatchback, and to Cd 0.28 (down from 0.32) for the estate, and by reducing vehicle weight despite the new Mazda6’s larger dimensions. The solid sense of security created by the confident, predictable handling is central to the Zoom-Zoom evolution concept embodied in new Mazda6.

Enhanced Engine Line-Up

A new 2.5-litre petrol engine has been developed from the previous 2.3-litre unit. The MZR 2.5 has a bigger bore and a longer stroke, plus freer-flowing intake and exhaust ports which together improve low and mid-range torque by 10 percent. Power is 170 PS. Also available are the existing 1.8 and 2.0-litre petrol engines and the MZR-CD 2.0 turbo diesel, carried over from the previous Mazda6.

Safety

Improving running, turning and stopping achieves stress-free driving performance that gives the driver predictable control of the vehicle, so every Mazda6 driver will be in a safe frame of mind. Besides Mazda’s state-of-the-art active safety systems – including large disc brakes, ABS, dynamic stability control (DSC), electronic traction control (TCS) and brake assist (standard in Europe) – and a passive safety package with Mazda’s stiff and strong Triple-H body shell and six airbags (standard in Europe), there are further features to help the Mazda6 avoid an accident or protect its occupants if an accident is unavoidable. These include Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS), parking sensor, an extensive field of vision, Mazda’s first active head restraints, crushable brake and clutch pedals and extensive pedestrian protection measures.

[Source: Mazda Europe via WCF]

[Bruce]

[monster]

The wagon still looks stunning, the 5 door less so, probably because of the dull silver colour.