The all-new Mazda6 range will include a flagship four-door ‘coupe’ variant designed to rival the Volkswagen Passat CC.
An insider to the all-new Mazda6 program said the new variant was originally designed as a traditional two-door coupe, but was redeveloped as a four-door model to expand its global appeal.
It will replace the current hatchback body style of the current Mazda6 after Mazda’s chief designer of the Takeri concept (main picture), Akira Tamatani, had revealed at November’s Tokyo motor show that the company had other design ideas to replace the ‘liftback’ hatch version.
The low-slung mid-sized hatchback will initially go on sale in the US and Japan in 2014 before expanding to Europe and potentially other markets like Australia further down the track.
The four-door ‘coupe’ will join the conventional sedan, which is set to launch internationally at the 2012 Paris motor show in September, and a wagon variant, due some time in 2013.
The design of the all-new Mazda6 will be heavily influenced by the Mazda Takeri concept, which made a strong impression at the Tokyo show, though the four-door ‘coupe’ variant will have more in common with the sleek Takeri design than any other model in the new Mazda6 family, and will feature a flowing roofline similar to the Passat CC’s.
The range-topping Mazda6 will employ the same SkyActiv engines as the sedan and wagon, which are set to include a 119kW petrol unit and a 129kW turbo diesel, both promising benchmark economy and emissions.
