Mazda Mazda6

2005 Mazda6

The Mazda Atenza or Mazda6 is a midsize car from the Japanese carmaker Mazda. Replacing the Capella/626, the Atenza/Mazda6 has sold over one million units worldwide since its introduction, making it the fastest Mazda vehicle to reach the one million mark. See Wikicars' comprehensive Mazda_Mazda6 Review.

Styles and Major Options

The Mazda Mazda6 is available in four trims: the Sports Sedan, 5-door Hatchback, Sports Wagon, and Mazdaspeed6 edition. Certain engines are only available with certain trims, and there are various option packages to choose from.

Pricing

Today's actual prices for the Mazda Mazda6 can be found at CarsDirect.

2006 Mazda Mazda6 Trim	MSRP	Invoice
Mazda6 i Sedan	$19,110	$17,658
Mazda6 s Sedan	$23,010	$21,248
Mazda6 i Sport Sedan	$21,810	$20,143
Mazda6 s Sport Sedan	$23,910	$22,076
Mazda6 i Grand Touring Sedan	$24,710	$22,812
Mazda6 s Grand Touring Sedan	$27,260	$25,159
Mazda6 i Grand Sport Sedan	$25,210	$23,272
Mazda6 s Grand Sport Sedan	$27,110	$25,020
Mazda6 i Sport Hatchback	$22,210	$20,511
Mazda6 s Sport Hatchback	$24,510	$22,628
Mazda6 s Grand Sport Hatchback	$27,710	$25,572
Mazda6 s Wagon	$23,610	$21,799
Mazda6 s Sport Wagon	$24,610	$22,719
Mazda6 s Grand Touring Wagon	$27,160	$25,067
Mazda6 s Grand Sport Wagon	$27,910	$25,717
Mazdaspeed6 All-Wheel Drive Sport	$27,995	$25,833
Mazdaspeed6 All-Wheel Drive Grand Touring	$29,925	$27,608

Gas Mileage

As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

Trim
2.3L 4-cyl. Manual	2.3L 4-cyl. Automatic	3.0L 6-cyl. Manual	3.0L 6-cyl. Automatic	2.3L 4-cyl. 6-spd. Manual
MPG
24/31	23/32	20/27	19/27	19/25

Safety

Based on crash tests performed by the NHTSA, the Mazda6 has received mostly excellent ratings since its introduction in 2002. The one area that falls slightly short is its Front Seat Side-Impact rating, which, at 3/5 stars, is merely average.

Each Mazda6 trim comes standard with several safety features, including:

• 4-wheel Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
• Front Impact Airbags
• Occupancy Sensor
• Side Impact Bars
• Ignition Disable

Photos

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  Mazda6 Sedan

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  Sedan Interior

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  Mazda6 Hatchback

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  Mazda6 Wagon

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  Wagon Interior

Colors

Colors vary between the Mazda6 and the Mazdaspeed6, and colors vary within these trims as well.

Main Competitors

• Volkswagen Passat
• Honda Accord
• Toyota Camry
• Hyundai Sonata
• Nissan Maxima

Hybrid Models

While Ford also uses the Mazda6's CD3 platform as the basis for a number of their vehicles and subsequently plans to offer a hybrid powertrain on the platform for some models, Mazda has not announced any such plans for the Mazda6.

Unique Attributes

Mazda6 is one of the few mid-size models sold as both a 5-door and a wagon in the USA.

Resale Values

According to Kelley Blue Book, "the Mazda6 is expected to hold a modest resale value, retaining an estimated 56 to 59 percent of its value at 24 months, depending upon the trim level. That's much lower than the values projected for the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, VW Jetta and Nissan Altima, but better than those of the Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata and Mitsubishi Galant."

Criticisms

• "The Mazda6 is not as spacious as many of its competitors." - Kelley Blue Book
• "The other minor shortcoming is that an auto-down/up feature is available only for the driver's window." - Edmunds.com
• "We like Mazda's talk of connecting emotionally with customers. But we're not sure they've reached far enough with the 6 to grab the attention they need." - Motor Trend

Current Generation

2005 Mazda6 wagon

During 2005, a 6-speed automatic became available on the 6-cylinder models, while the 4-cylinder sedan received a 5-speed manually shiftable automatic.

First Generation/Origins

North American Mazda6 production is handled at the AutoAlliance International plant which is a joint venture between Ford and Mazda. The first Mazda6 rolled off this Flat Rock, Michigan assembly line on October 1, 2002, just one month after production of the 626 ended. In its first years, the Mazda6 came with a 4-speed automatic, 5-speed automatic "AT" or a 5-speed manual transmission.

Future Generations

2008

Mazda is reportedly developing a replacement for the Mazda6 for the 2008 model year. This new vehicle would reportedly use the 3.5 L V6 Ford Duratec 35 V6 engine with over 250 hp. Insiders predict that the turbocharged MZI engine might be the base offering and that all wheel drive will be available more widely. In addition, it has been said that the next generation Mazda6 will in fact be larger, more luxurious, and take on a shape similar to the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 4-door coupe.

Mazdaspeed Atenza

File:2006 Mazdaspeed 6.jpg

2006 Mazdaspeed Mazda6

The 2006 Mazdaspeed Atenza (known as Mazdaspeed 6 in North America and Mazda6 MPS in Europe and Australia) is a high-performance version of the Mazda6. It features a turbocharged version of the 2.3 L MZR I4 which produces 272 PS (200 kW) (European version is detuned to 260 PS (191 kW); the North American version, at 274 hp (204 kW), is more powerful). This 2.3 L DISI turbocharged engine features direct fuel injection and conforms to the new Euro 5 emissions standards. It has a revised front fascia with a raised hood, a 6-speed transmission, and all wheel drive. The all wheel drive system uses Mazda's Active Torque Split computer-based control which routes up to 50% of the power to the rear wheels depending on driving conditions. Mazda currently has no plans to enter the car into rally racing, and the Mazdaspeed Atenza is meant to compete with its Japanese-made rival, the Subaru Legacy GT and similar sport sedans rather than the smaller, rally-car-derived Subaru Impreza WRX STi and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.

File:2006 Mazdaspeed 6 front.JPG

2006 Mazdaspeed Mazda6

Originally scheduled to be launched in June 2005, the Mazdaspeed Atenza was delayed until November. In North America, the Mazdaspeed6 comes in two trim levels; the "Sport" trim with cloth interior and standard key entry and ignition; and the "Grand Touring" trim with leather interior, keyless entry/ignition, and an optional DVD navigation (of which the Canadian model lacks DVD navigation). Automatic climate control is standard, as is a 200 W Bose stereo system featuring 7 speakers and a 9 in. subwoofer in addition to an in-dash 6-disc CD changer. A sunroof with moonroof feature is optional on the Grand Touring trim.

Although Mazda estimates 0-60 mph times to be 6.2 seconds, recent independent tests by automotive journalists have suggested that the actual numbers might range between 5.4-6 seconds (with DSC deactivated).

Worldwide

Not all configurations are available in all areas. For example, the Mazda6 as released in Australia was a four-cylinder car only, while the last 626 which it replaced was a four or six-cylinder car. In addition, the name Atenza (which means Attention) is used only in Japan; the Mazda6 moniker is used everywhere else in the world. In China, the Mazda Atenza is used as the base for the Hongqi Benteng, an upscale model in the Red Flag range manufactured by the First Automobile Works in Jilin Province.

European versions also feature a four-cylinder turbodiesel, and while power is directed to the front wheels only in most markets, full-time all wheel drive models are available in Japan and Europe.

Hofu plants in Hiroshima produce the Mazda6 for Europe and some Asia markets, including Australia. There are also satellite plants building Mazda6 models in China and Thailand for their respective local markets.

Awards

The Mazda6 was 2nd place European car of the year and made Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 2003. The Sport Wagon won the Canadian Car of the Year Best New Station Wagon award, while the Sport sedan won the Canadian Car of the Year Best New Family Car award for 2005. The Atenza Wagon also won What Car?'s Best Estate award in 2004.

External links

• Official Mazda6 Site
• RoadTests.com - Mazda Mazda6

Online Forums

• Mazda6Tech
• Mazda6Club
• OzMazda.com - Australian Online Mazda Community

References

• Autoblog: Mazda makes millionth Mazda6

This page uses content from Wikipedia; see Mazda Atenza, which includes these contributors.