Mazda6

Mazda 6
Overview
Manufacturer	Mazda AutoAlliance International
Also called	Mazda Atenza
Production	2002-present
Assembly	Hiroshima, Japan Hofu, Japan Flat Rock, Michigan (for NA) Bogotá, Colombia (for SA)
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size car
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Chronology
Predecessor	Mazda 626/Capella/Millenia

The Mazda 6 or Mazda Atenza is a mid-size car produced by the Japanese car manufacturer Mazda since 2003. The name Atenza is used only in Japan with the Mazda 6 moniker used everywhere else in the world. The Atenza/Mazda 6 replaced the Capella/626, and has sold over one million units worldwide since its introduction, making it the fastest Mazda vehicle to reach the one million mark. [1]

The Mazda 6 was the first of the new generation of 'Stylish', 'Insightful', and 'Spirited' range from Mazda. It was followed by the Mazda 2 in December 2002, RX-8 in August 2003, Mazda3 in January 2004, MX-5 in October 2005, and Mazda CX-7 in November 2006.

The Mazda 6 is currently raced in the SCCA Pro Racing Speed World Challenge Touring Car Series. Mazda is currently first in the overall manufacturer's championship standings as of May 18, 2007.

First generation (2002–2007)

First generation
Overview
Production	2003-2007
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon 5-door liftback
Platform	Ford CD3 platform
Related	Ford Edge Ford Fusion Lincoln MKX Lincoln MKZ Lincoln Zephyr Mazda CX-9 Mercury Milan
Powertrain
Engine	1.8 L MZR I4 2.0 L MZR I4 2.3 L MZR I4 3.0 L MZI V6 2.0 L MZR-CD Diesel
Transmission	5-speed automatic 5-speed manual 6-speed automatic 6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	Template:Auto in
Length	Sedan and liftback: Template:Auto mm Station wagon: Template:Auto mm
Width	Template:Auto mm
Height	Sedan and hatchback: Template:Auto mm Station wagon: Template:Auto mm

The model lineup consists of a four-door sedan, a five-door hatchback and a five-door station wagon, marketed in North America as the "Sport Sedan", "5-Door" and "Sport Wagon". In Australia, the lineup starts with Limited, available only as a sedan. Then comes the Classic, available in sedan, hatch or wagon. The Luxury model is next available in sedan and hatch versions. Topping the range is the Luxury Sports model, available only as a hatch.

Drivetrain combinations include the Mazda Z engine in configurations of 1.8 L, 2.0 L and 2.3 L, initially with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission (with sequential-automatic option, dubbed the "Four-Speed Sport AT"). In some markets a 3.0 L Duratec 30 V6 engine is also available with a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic (with sequential-automatic option, dubbed the "5-Speed Sport AT"). European versions also feature a four-cylinder turbodiesel that comes with a six-speed manual transmission.

2005 European Mazda 6 5-Door

2003-05 Mazda6 wagon (US)

2006 Mazda 6 Sport Sedan

2006-08 Mazda6 Wagon V6

In North America, the 5-speed automatic optional on the V6 models is replaced by a 6-speed automatic from Ford for 2005 model year. The four-cylinder model receives a five-speed automatic in the following year. Power is directed to the front wheels only in most markets, although full-time all wheel drive models are available in Japan and Europe. Not all configurations are available in all areas - for example, the Mazda 6 as released in Australia is available in 2.3L four-cylinder guise only, while the 626 which it replaced was available with a choice of four or six-cylinder engines.

Like the 626 before it, Ford is using the Mazda 6's CD3 platform as the basis for a number of other vehicles, including the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ, Lincoln MKX, and a range of SUVs and minivans. Ford also plans to offer a hybrid powertrain on the platform. For its part, Mazda themselves refer to this chassis as either the GG (sedan/hatch) or GY (wagon) series - following the previous 626/Capella in its GF/GW series.

North American Mazda 6 production is handled at the AutoAlliance International plant which is a joint venture between Ford and Mazda. The first Mazda 6 rolled off this Flat Rock, Michigan assembly line on October 1, 2002, one month after 626 production ended. Hofu plants in Hiroshima produce the Mazda 6 for Europe and some Asian markets, including Australia. There are also satellite plants building Mazda 6 models in China and Thailand for their respective local markets. (Ford owns a controlling interest in Mazda.)

In September 2005, all Australian Mazda 6's received a facelift which included a feature upgrade, 5 speed auto and 6 speed manual transmissions, wheel design changes and minor bodywork upgrades.

In China, the Mazda Atenza is used as the base for the Hongqi Benteng, also known as Besturn or Hongqi C301, an upscale model in the Red Flag range manufactured by the First Automobile Works in Jilin Province.

Mazda MAZDASPEED6

Mazdaspeed Atenza

The 2006 Mazdaspeed Atenza (known as MAZDASPEED6 in North America and Mazda 6 MPS in Europe and Australia) is a high-performance version of the Mazda 6. 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), revised to 270 hp for 2007). 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 four-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 could be meant to compete with its Japanese-made rival, the Subaru Legacy GT and similar sport sedans like the rally-car-derived Subaru Impreza WRX STi and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.

Originally scheduled to be launched in June 2005, the Mazdaspeed Atenza was delayed until November. In North America, the MAZDASPEED 6 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. Automatic climate control is standard, as is a 200 W Bose stereo system featuring seven speakers and a 9 in subwoofer in addition to an in-dash six-disc CD changer. A sunroof with moonroof feature is optional on the Grand Touring trim.

Car and Driver magazine has achieved a 0-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds for this vehicle.

Awards

The Mazda 6 was second 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.

The Mazda 6 won the 'Best Mid-size Car (over $28,000)' title in Australia's Best Cars in 2002 and 2003. It came second in 2004, behind the Subaru Liberty, and fifth in 2005 (the Honda Accord Euro was first in 2005). Wheels magazine also awarded the Mazda 6 winner of its Active Safety Program in July 2005.

Second generation (2008–)

Second generation
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door liftback 5-door station wagon
Platform	Ford CD3 platform
Powertrain
Engine	1.8 L MZR I4 2.0 L MZR I4 2.5 L MZR I4 3.7 L MZI V6 (NA market only) 2.0 L MZR-CD Diesel
Transmission	5-speed automatic 6-speed automatic (mated with V6 for NA market only) 5-speed manual 6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	Template:Auto mm
Length	Sedan and liftback: Template:Auto mm Station wagon: Template:Auto mm
Width	Template:Auto mm
Height	Sedan and liftback: Template:Auto mm Station wagon: Template:Auto mm

There is report that the next generation (for North America) will be shown in 2007 L.A. auto show or 2008 Detroit auto show before it is released as a 2009 model in early 2008.[2] It will be bigger and more luxurious and will strengthen the brand significantly. Engine choices include a new 2.5 liter 4-cylinder and a 3.7 liter V6 sourced from the CX-9. The Euro version made its premiere at the Frankfurt auto show in September 2007 [3] [4].

References

• David Newhardt. "2006 Mazda MAZDASPEED6". Sports Car International (March 2006): 18–19.
• "Generations: Mazda 626 and Mazda 6". Edmunds.com. March 7. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
• "Design awards and honours". Mazda Australia. Retrieved August 2. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)

External links

• Official Mazda 6 Site
• Official Hongqi Benteng Site (Chinese language)
• AutoGuideWiki.com - MAZDASPEED 6
• Mazda 6Tech
• RoadTests.com - Mazda Mazda 6
• 2007 Mazda 6 Review by Leasing Options
• Mazda 6 Workshop Manual