2008 Mazda6 Thread

[Centurion]

^^Y
Yeah the wagon is hot, has even a better designed rear than the sedan.

[Merc1]

More live pics:









Mazda introduced the Mazda 6 with the accompaniment of a vast array of talented musicians. Once of them, whom we'll call Tambourine Boy, bopped and leaped around in a frenzy, like a Michael Flatly from Lord of the Dance on amphetamines.

Tambourine Boy scared me, partly because his antics were wholly unnecessary. The Mazda 6 looks flat-out great and needs no such forced hoopla. Here's a car with true grace.

The new Mazda 6 will continue to be offered in three body styles (sedan, hatchback and wagon) and brings healthy increases in rigidity -- in torsion, the hatchback rises 30 percent, the wagon stiffens by 25 percent and the sedan squeaks up by 14 percent.

A six-speed manual will be available, and the Mazda 6 marks the debut of an enlarged 2.5-liter version of the company's MZR four-cylinder.

We're a bit puzzled by this engine's output, as it turns out a meager 168-hp at 6,000 rpm and 167 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm in European trim.

Maybe Mazda is banking on the 6's slick shape to get the job done. The sedan and hatchback boast a low 0.27 drag coefficient, while the wagon is nearly as good at 0.28.

At least weight was kept in check. Mazda reports that the new model weighs up to 77 fewer pounds (depending on equipment) than the previous 6.

That's promising. Judging from the keen driving dynamics of the original Mazda6, I'm looking forward to driving this one. -- Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor, Inside Line

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A very handsome car IMO, but the interior is a step behind some of its Japanese rivals. It looks kinda cheap and brittle, but we'll see.

M

[Kowalski]

A mishmash of other manufacturer designs with their own design elements or not, Mazda got it right the styling of new 6.

[Merc1]

I agree.

M

[Merc1]

Obvious S-Class wheel arches, but then again it is arguable that Mercedes got them from Mazda's own RX7.



Even the arse is likeable.



I know I've seen this profile before, possibly numerous times but I can't think of one specific car.



Flat gorgeous for a car of this class. Too bad Mazda and Acura have the same exact grille shape.



More than a slight hint of Mercedes CL here, but again it looks the part.



M

[Osnabrueck]

Originally Posted by Merc1

More than a slight hint of Mercedes CL here, but again it looks the part.

The design trajectory that was started with the Mazda RX8 concept can be traced back to around 2001, or earlier. I don't see Mazda owing any of its theme or specific cues to any doner. If anything, one could theorize that the current Benz range drew inspiration from where Mazda was headed...

Of course it's all just a wild guess unless you're an industry insider.

[Just_me]

I dont know but MAzda6 looks better on press shots than in Frankfurt

[Merc1]

Originally Posted by Osnabrueck

The design trajectory that was started with the Mazda RX8 concept can be traced back to around 2001, or earlier. I don't see Mazda owing any of its theme or specific cues to any doner. If anything, one could theorize that the current Benz range drew inspiration from where Mazda was headed...

Of course it's all just a wild guess unless you're an industry insider.

True, who knows what thought of what first. The big wheel arches though I think Benz did "draw inspiration" from elsewhere in the automotive kingdom.

M

[Merc1]

The wagon is quite handsome too:



M

[Tycoon]

That color is jaw dropping...