New 2008 Mazda6
September 11, 2007 by George Skentzos
Only last week we brought you the all-new Mazda2, and now on the eve of the Frankfurt motor show, Mazda has released full details on their all-new – and quite striking – 2008 Mazda6 hatchback, sedan and estate.
The all-new Mazda6 was engineered from the ground up following Mazda’s famed Zoom-Zoom philosophy which follows three key values: emotional and sporty, an exclusive experience, and an insightful package.
Without a doubt the first thing which will strike you about the all-new Mazda6 are the looks. Summed up accurately as ‘bold and exquisite’ by Chief designer Youichi Sato, it is certainly one of the most unique and stylish cars on the market equally at home as a family car or indulgent sports car.
As with the previous model, there are three body styles: hatchback, sedan and estate.
The five-door hatchback symbolizes the new Mazda6’s sporty and sophisticated nature with a flowing, coupé-style silhouette and a six side-window cabin design.
The sedan plays down its three-box form with its tautly-arched cabin and short, high tail, giving it a fastback look clearly related to that of the hatchback.
The estate version features three-dimensional curves that give volume and tension to the side and rear view to achieve a level of stylish design, rare in an estate.
The exquisite aesthetics continue to the interior where the driver is greeted by a cockpit-like environment supported by clear and intuitive controls.
The simplistic yet functional cabin design provides many controls literally at the driver’s fingertips. Inputs on the steering wheel provide integrated control of navigation, audio, air conditioning, driving information, and other systems through simple, smooth operation whilst a centralised display at the top of the instrument panel minimises movement of the driver’s line of sight.
The Mazda6 features all the up-to-date luxuries such as independent climate control, optional advanced keyless entry system which includes an engine start-stop button on top of the instrument panel. An eight-speaker, BOSE Premium Sound System, and a Bluetooth® hands-free mobile-phone interface are optional although all these options are standard on higher grade models.
At the heart of the new Mazda6 range, a new 2.5-litre petrol engine produces 125kW and 226Nm and has been developed from the previous 2.3-litre unit. The MZR 2.5 has a bigger bore and a longer stroke, plus freer-flowing intake and exhaust ports which together improve torque in the frequently used-range by approximately 10 percent.
Also available are the enhanced 1.8 and 2.0-litre petrol engines and the MZR-CD 2.0 turbo diesel, carried over from the previous Mazda6.
Not only has the overall noise of the engine been greatly reduced, but engineers have adapted the sound dampening to emphasize certain frequencies to overlay a sporty engine note.
The new 2.5-litre engine uses a dual-mass damper and a flexible flywheel and also focused on weight reduction of pistons and connecting rods. With this, it was possible to reduce combustion noise as well, achieving some of the lowest vibration level measurements in the class.
The six-speed manual transmission has been improved to provide more precise shift operation whilst lowering the shift force required during high-speed driving by 15 percent compared to the previous version.
Strangely though – which has certainly left me perplexed – is that there is no mention of an automatic transmission. At this point it appears only the 2.0L engine is available with a 5-speed automatic transmission whilst the others receive either a five (for the 1.8L) or six-speed manual only.
Australian safety specifications are currently unknown, however the European model will include active safety features such as ABS, DSC, electronic traction control and brake assist as standard. With strong Triple-H body shell and up to six airbags forming the standard passive safety list for European models.
Also available is an Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) which directs the angle of the beam when turning, front and rear parking sensors and crushable brake and clutch pedals to help prevent leg injuries during an accident.
The new Mazda6 also features Mazda’s first active headrest which instantaneously thrust forward, immediately supporting the head of the occupant while lightening the load of the impact.
Despite its slightly larger size compared to the superseded model, weight reduction has seen the new Mazda6 shed 35kg and in conjunction with aerodynamics enhancement and reduction of rolling resistance, fuel efficiency and CO2 level has been improved by over 11 percent in the 1.8L model and over 6 percent in the MZR 2.5L model.
Click here for full specifications.
Now all that remains is the reveal of Mazda’s most successful Australian car – the 2008 Mazda3.
George Skentzos
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It will be a really bad situation if the specs are correct – no 2.5 litre Auto available?
Is this the ongoing Ford problem of no FWD AT available that can handle a bit of torque?
It’s bad enough this car can’t be had with a proper V6 AWD configuration.
It could be a case of the most stunning looking flop of the decade???
I was thinking that the whole time I was writing it – I mean it looks good, but thats about all it has going for it.
Hopefully the lack of an auto tranny on other models was just a mistake.
I wonder why mazda would offer the 1.8L engine, when it has less power, less torque and only marginal savings in fuel consumption.
I think the lack of an auto for the 2.5L, probably a carry over 5sp auto for the 2.0L and the inclusion of a 1.8L engine might be an attempt at keeping the cost low. Im not sure why mazda does not have an auto for the 2.5L considering the cx-7 has a pretty good aisin sourced 6sp attached to the 2.3L DISI which produces way more torque than the new 2.5L. Why not use the 6spd auto from the cx-7/cx-9 in the new 6?
I think the 1.8 engine would only be for Europe, where small engines are accepted more readily than here in Aus.
You make a good point about the Aisin trannie in the Cx-7, but it may be that it is designed for AWD and can’t be readily used in FWD. I’m just guessing though.
Perhaps it’s too bulky – it can’t be too expensive to use, since CX-7 Turbo sells for 39900 odd, which is where you would expect to see the 6.
Who knows, I think Mazda may be making a rare mistake.
I heard a rumour that the new 6 would have a 6-speed auto, perhaps they don’t want to announce that yet? I don’t see why Mazda wouldn’t have an auto option. They’ve seen with the Maz6 diesel that without an auto, their sales would be relatively low.
in the states, the cx-7 and the cx-9 both come in FWD and AWD so i don’t think its because the 6spd auto can’t readily used in a FWD layout. i agree its probably cos its too bulkly. Oh and don’t quote me but i think i read somewhere that mazda actually sold more 6 diesels than they initially anticipated, even without a diesel auto.
They do sell more diesels then they originally anticipated but not nearly as much as if they had an auto option, ditto with the Mazda 3 diesel.
The Mazda press release I read that had the engine/transmission specs was only for the North American market.
Hopefully a 6-speed auto will make it here. If not then Mazda have potentially lost a sale to me when it comes time for me to get a new car next year.
dunno why, but I think I almost see bits of Is series in it too .. hmm
The sedan looks best among the bunch. How about a coupe version for such a handsome car?
I’ve always liked chrome surrounding the car windows, and finally this new car has. I will surely fix my finances to be the first to own one of these!
lol Al when i read your post, specifically the line “I will surely fix my finances to be the first to own one of these!”, i stupidly read it wrong, thinking finances was fiancees. i had to re-read it again to get it right. :-P
The front looks a bit like the current SP23 sedan, side of the hatch has a hint of RX8 and CX7 around the wheel arches, and from a side/rear angle, the wagon has a lot of resemblence to the Audi RS4 Avant. Pumped guards, a very similar roof line, and virtually the same roof racks. Overall, i think it looks great, especially the sedan and wagon. I find it very hard to believe that there will be no Auto transmissions on on the 2.5L. THe American market will crucify them, as would most other world markets. Im hearing of a 6 speed auto, and perhaps Mazda does not want to show their hand too early on. Im sure when the car lobs on showroom floors, an auto transmission on the 2.5L will be available.
If you are correct, Nick, and I hope you are, they will sell like hot cakes.
A nice V6 with 6 speed auto would do the design justice, but if that was available no-one would buy the upcoming Ford Focus or Falcon.
Only the focus and falcon? yeah ok…
Talk about dramatics…shall i serve the biscuits and earl grey tea!?
Hey reckless1, nobody is buying the Focus or Falcon anyway !!!!!!!!
Ghandi,
Sure, the Falcon is struggling, but it’s at the end of it’s lifecycle and a new model is just around the corner. Currently, the Fiesta and Focus are selling very well. No doubt the new Mondeo will do quite well in the market too when it’s released in the next month or so.
The 6 looks great, although I’m surprised they didn’t platform share with the new mondeo. In a diesel family car, an automatic transmission should be the ONLY option!
I know this is about the Mazda 6 but does anybody have any comments on the SP23 I seriously love the look and feel of this car and I want to buy one but the price and possible resale scare me.The auto sedan with DSC is about the $36500 on the road(it is only a small 4cyl car) if anybody reading this who owns one or knows somedody who does would love your comments.But anyway the new 6 looks supurb this is the company that should have the slogan “future driven” not Hyundai.
nice camry with an IS350 or Reiz back end
I can’t wait to see the 2008 mazda 3..or is there?
The best shape was the 2003/2004 model since then it has got uglier and uglier. Now it looks like a Japanese Ford Taurus…….Honk
Ah Mog, the shape in 2002 is basically the same as 2007. I own a 2005 model and if you asked me too choose, mate you can have my 05 (which incidentally is the same as the 03/04) i’ll take the look of the 08 model for sure! what a stunning looking car.
I am in love with this car and can’t wait to own it. My husband has the limited edition RX-8 and i have the 06 SP23. “GARRY” That 3 is a truly awesome car! I can pull 500k from a tank and it out performs most cars in acceleration. I have taken her to the track and am to scared to go past my achievement of 165kph. However it is truly disappointing when i see SP23 owners who don’t purchase the leather upgrade pack, for an extra $3000 its worth it, on a top of the line car and increases trade in value. As far as everyones comments about the lack of a Auto model in the 2.5 ltr. ITS OBVIOUS its because the 2.5 is a performance version and only real drivers should be driving it. Any car enthusiast will agree that manual is the only way to truly enjoy the control and performance of a vehicle. I was very disappointed to see the CX-7 has no Manual option, so maybe this is a “get your own back” model! Once you own a Mazda you will never go back. Who else agrees that Holden riped off the Mazda look with the new shape and flared guards?
Thanks for comments Latoya the best money I have ever spent was offered a demo SP23 with luxury pack saved$$$.I know nothing about cars but this car is truly amazing and IMO the best looking car on the road today.
Lets get couple of facts sraight:
1. CX7 (and CX9) is autotranny only in NorthAmerica in AWD OR FWD configuration.
2. CX7 is manual only in Europe and only in AWD configuration. (CX9 will not be offered in Europe)
3. Mazda said thats offering manual only CX7 in Europe was tied somehow to engine not passing emmission with AT???
4. 1,8 makes sense in Europe in some countries because of the taxing and insurance reasons.
5. 2,5l engine is not V6 its inline4.
6. NorthAmerica will get later its inflated model of 6 with probably 3,5 or even 3,7L V6 wich is used in CX9
with 6 speed autotranny