The Mazda6 has arrived in South Africa. Though it will go on sale only in May, dealers have each received one vehicle for demonstration purposes.
The Mazda6 has arrived in South Africa. Though it will go on sale only in May, dealers have each received one vehicle for demonstration purposes.
Mazda is bringing in two engine derivatives in saloon form. The two-litre, developing 104 kW at 6 000 r/min and 181 N.m of torque at 4 500, and a 2,3-litre, producing 122 kW at 5 500 r/min and 207 N.m of torque at 4 000.
The car is totally new and features MacPherson struts and high-mount double wishbones with a stabiliser bar, all mounted on a rigid perimeter frame up front, and a subframe-mounted multi-link rear suspension with low-profile springs and angled dampers to minimise intrusion into the boot area.
The Mazda6 has bold front-end styling and clear light lenses with a deeply swaged bonnet blending into a bold chrome upper lip and badge. In profile, the saloon is typically three-box without looking heavy-sided, and the wheels comfortably fill the wheelarches.
The car is larger than its main competitors. It is 4 745mm long, which is 21mm longer than the Mondeo and 46 mm up on the Passat. At 1802 mm wide, the Mazda6 is 50 mm broader than the VW Passat. The rear is distinctive due to elongated wraparound clear-lensed tail-lights.
Mazda’s designers admit they took cues from the BMW 3-Series and Volkswagen’s Passat, but claim that the “6” will “set new benchmarks for driving dynamics as well as beating the best on refinement.
“Our approach to product development had to be totally unconventional in order to perfectly embody the unique ‘Mazda DNA’,” said Mazda president Mark Fields. “We expect that our customers will immediately appreciate our distinctive next-generation vehicles. The branding of our new products distinguishes them from the ordinary. It appeals to our customers’ sophistication and high expectations through exceptional quality and design.”
According to Mazda, six airbags will be standard on all models in the range, as well as ABS and traction control.
