After months of waiting and teasing us with the Takeri Concept, Mazda have finally released its production version, the new Mazda 6 Sedan.
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| Mazda 6 Sedan |
The new Mazda 6 front bears the familiar Mazda signature wing grill. Bonnet curves extend from the grill and flow into the rest of the cars body. Below the new grill is a large splitter that sits in front of the lower air intake.
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| Front Xenon headlamps with LEDs |
Its new headlamps now feature a LED lights and a new halo ring light design that surrounds the main Xenon headlamps. Fog lamps are visible at each end of the front and have a dark outline. The front of the car also sits lower to give the front an aggressive look.
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| Mazda Takeri Concept |
Smooth sweeping lines are visible at the front and rear fenders. Its wing mirrors are now placed on its new classy doors while new stylish 19-inch alloy wheels are visible as well. A new chrome boot lid is visible at the back. It also has new LED rear lights, a sporty rear black diffuser, and two exhaust pipes that pop out below its black diffuser.
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| Rear of the Mazda 6 Sedan |
Under its low bonnet sits a choice of two engines. The first engine is the SKYACTIV-G 2.0 petrol engine. This has an output of 156hp and 210Nm of torque. If the figures don’t move you, then why not go for the SKYACTIV-G 2.5 petrol engine with 256Nm of torque and 192hp. Both engines are paired with either a 6-speed SKYACTIV-Drive automatic transmission or a SKYACTIV-MT (manual transmission) gearbox. Precise and nimble driving performance is supported by both SKYACTIV-Drive, designed to control driving force and gear speed in order to give the car a responsive acceleration, and SKYACTIV-MT that offers a light and crisp shift feel. Both engines also have low vibrations and low noise output, giving the car a quiet and smooth feel.
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| Aerodynamic under-body |
A new system called i-ELLOP employs brake energy regeneration technology to charge the cars battery while another called i-stop cuts of an idle engine and re-starts it when the driver places his foot on the accelerator pedal. Both systems help boost overall fuel efficiency and are fitted as standard on the SKYACTIV-G 2.5 models. Power sent to the wheel is managed by a finely tuned SKYACTIV-Chassis. The front struts and rear multi-link suspension delivers an agile driving performance in low to mid-speed ranges and stability in high-speed driving.
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| Instrument cluster |
The chassis is married to an all new robust SKYACTIV-Body that uses ultra-high tensile steel that is not only lighter but also improves the overall rigidity of the body. The car comes with a column-type electric power assist steering system. This offers precise control, straight-line stability and prevents steering pull on rough road surfaces. The car is also now more aerodynamic thanks to the sweeping roof and the optimized under floor design. The overall result is that the car is now more stable at high speed than the previous model.
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| Front seats |
The new Mazda 6 is now wider and longer than the previous model. It now has a wheel base of 2,830 mm that helps boost overall interior space. The rear seats feature ample legroom with a knee clearance 43 mm greater than the previous model. Leg space is 984 mm, which is 37 mm more than on the previous model. The length of the rear seat cushion is increased by 20 mm and the seat back length by 33 mm.
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| Posh cockpit |
The rear center arm rest has been enlarged by 60 mm. This not offers ample room for five occupants but also guarantees overall comfort to all the occupants in the Speed 6. The driver sits on a comfortable adjustable front seat and can also adjust the tilt and telescoping steering wheel to find a suitable driving position. The front dashboard has also been restyled to give the interior a posh look.
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| Aggressive front look |
The restyled instrument clusters glow in a white light while a third 3.5-inch multi-information display shows important vehicle information to the driver. Stylish air vents, chucky buttons and the classy leather interior further improves the overall feel of the car. A swivel wheel is logically placed on the center console to allow the driver access the new multi commander system.
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| Rear LED lights |
The system allows intuitive control of an array of functions such as audio, navigation system and sensitivity of the automatic windshield wipers via the center display. Navigation information is shown on a 5-inch display located in the center panel. The screen also functions as a display for the Bose audio system that comes with an in-dash six CD changer.
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| Roomy interior |
The new Mazda 6 also comes with a host of safety and driver aid systems. The headlamps come fitted with a High-Beam Control system (HBC) that uses a sensor to detect oncoming vehicles and automatically changes between high and low beam to help avoid blinding other drivers during night driving. The headlamps also have an Adaptive Front-lighting system (AFS) that predicts curves based on the degree of steering input and vehicle speed and then turn the headlights in the direction that the vehicle is actually heading. This helps improves visibility when driving at night. Hill Launch Assist (HLA) helps prevent the Mazda 6 from rolling backwards while the driver’s foot moves from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal when taking off on a hill.
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| Longer than the outgoing model |
A driver assistance system called Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) causes the hazard lights to rapidly flicker on and off in the event of panic braking at 50 km/h or faster in order to warn vehicles behind. Another driver assistance system called Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) cause the hazard lights to rapidly flicker on and off in the event of panic braking at 50 km/h or faster in order to warn vehicles behind. A Rear Vehicle Monitoring (RVM) system comes into effect at speeds of 30 km/h or faster and detects cars approaching from behind or driving in the blind spot on either side, warning the driver when he turns on the indicator to change lanes.
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| SKYACTIV-Body |
The car also comes with a Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) that uses a camera to judge the position of lines on the road and warns the driver of unintentional lane departures, thus minimizing the risk of collision due to driver inattention or fatigue. In a traffic jam or city a system called Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) uses a near-infrared beam sensor to help prevent and, in cases where prevention is not possible, reduce the impact of frontal collisions at low speed (up to 30 km/h) by automatically applying the vehicle’s brakes.
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| Outgoing Mazda 6 range |
The outgoing model was a charmer but this new Mazda 6 is not only seductive but clever as well thanks to its new design and clever safety system. Prices have not been released yet. I am sure people will be flocking to CMC to experience this amazing new car when it lands in Kenya. The outgoing model is available from CMC motor group.