Spy Shots: 2008 Mazda 6 mule bagged!
Mazda's bread-and-butter 6 looks to be receiving a dramatic makeover for 2008. Fortunately for consumers, the cross-eyed development tester seen here isn't it. But like momma always said, it's what's inside that counts, and Hefty bag four-doored dose of Zoom-Zoom appears to be no different.
According to Edmunds Inside Line, the mule's camouflage is probably masking the 2008 Mazda 6's chassis. Judging by the shots seen here, the 6 is set to grow, likely in all dimensions. As the 6 has been left behind both in size and power by newer competitors, expect a more capacious interior and a driveline offering something a bit sexier than the 215 horsepower, 3.0-liter V6 currently on offer. Edmunds is betting that the replacement powerplant will be parent company Ford's new 3.5-liter V6 set to serve under the hoods of the Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX and MKZ. In the latter vehicles, the six-pot has been rated around 265 horses and 250 lb.-ft. of torque.
[Source: Edmunds Inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joel A 1:24PM (4/18/2006)
Well, I'll be delay my next car purchase another year.
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RossL 1:31PM (4/18/2006)
This might turn out to be bad news for Mazda fans in North America. Remember that Honda, faced with the same marketing issues a few years, forked the Accord into two different vehicles: the bloated, rather ordinary version sold in North America, and the sleeker, more nimble version sold everyone else (and available here only as the Acura TSX).
I love my Mazda6, but when it comes time to trade it in, I'd rather not be faced with a new, North Americanized version - because I'm betting that it will be blander and less performance-oriented. Just like the sadsack NA Accord.
As for the 3.5 litre engine - sounds good in theory, but if the car's gonna pack on the pounds, what difference will it make?
Mazda's got a good thing going now. I hope they don't screw it up in their rush to produce an everyman family car.
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Tim UF 1:34PM (4/18/2006)
too bad the companies are stuck in a 'yeah well mines bigger' train of mind... if they could get back to midsize cars closer to the dimensions of the early 90's cars, and not the huge midsize cars that encroach on the fullsize market (the biggest diff i see there now is FWD vs RWD). if they got back to the 2600-2700lb midsize, you would see immense jumps in fuel economy across the class, as well as percieved performance increases (think about this: the top of the line camry in 1990 had a 2.5L v6, good for 160hp), give a car that size the 160hp 2.4l I4 from todays cars, and you save weight on the blokc, get better balance, and better economy. not to mention the current trend of hotwheels styled cars...
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doug 1:45PM (4/18/2006)
Unfortunately, with the increased equipment levels customers demand and the improved safety equipment required, weight has gone up in all classes. 2600lbs is what compact cars weigh these days. The flip side is that compact cars are much bigger than they used to be, also. A 2006 civic is about the same size as a late 80's accord, with weight to match. But it is faster and safer and still gets good mileage.
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Peter W. 1:48PM (4/18/2006)
Tim: But at the same time, why shouldn't cars get bigger with age if it allows the new models to show up at the bottom of the price pool or in the gaps left behind?
The Mazda3 was one of the biggest "compacts" in 2004 and it seemed to have better proportions than my 1988 camry... a car that in 2006 seems to be bigger than the earliest Avalons.
I just seems that every 10 years or so cars will push the limits of their dimension and a new models will wedge into their place. I'd be glad to see the mazda3 and mazda6 grow up a tad if it means the kabura and sassou are snuck in to increase variety. Mazda is finally getting some cash after years of middling, so who'se to begrudge them for making new models and making the existing models seem more impressive?
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Sid 1:54PM (4/18/2006)
I wish car companies didn't have to design their cars to suit 'growing' American tastes.
And who needs 265HP in a family sedan? The Mazda6 with the I4 160HP engine is a awesome car to drive and doing a 5000rpm launch from a red light leaves every other car in the dust. I have no problems on the highway and 140-150kmph can be done efortlessly. What the Mazda6 does do is, thanks to it's chassis, handling and steering, it makes it a joy to drive. And to be seen in.
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Lorne 2:08PM (4/18/2006)
Tim: I completely agree, but for slightly different reasons. If a car company invests in a model brand in order to fill a particular market niche, constantly growing the car to the point that it leaves that niche simply doesn't make any sense to me.
The BMW 3-series is a perfect example of a brand that has moved into a completely different audience. Compared to its original vision (and size!) it is a different car. Now, if I am the audience for that original car, I can no longer find it at BMW. However, if they had maintained that car's size and vision, and created a new offering at the larger size for the new market, that seems to make a lot more sense to me.
It's almost like the manufacturers are trying to have the cars grow up and mature with their drivers. Of course, then they'll have to get old and die too ...
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RossL 2:10PM (4/18/2006)
This could be bad news for Mazda lovers in North America.
Remember what Honda did when faced with the problem of North Americans and their taste for bigger cars? The designed a new, fatter, North America-only Accord that is far less interesting and fun to drive than the version sold everywhere else (now available here only as the TSX).
Please, Mazda, don't try to turn the Mazda6 into an everyman family car for Middle America!
L
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Doogs 2:26PM (4/18/2006)
Unfortunately, there's probably more money to be made buy "upsizing".
A lot of people, after all, don't care about handling, or about a car being fun to drive (how else does one explain the Camry as the #1 selling car?). I am sure a lot of those people passed over the Mazda6 because of the backseat room.
Is it weak? Yes. Is it lame? Completely. But it is reality.
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Bill 2:30PM (4/18/2006)
Be careful Mazda. Back in the 90's, you tried to be all things to all people. You (and Nissan) tried to copy Toyota and Honda by trying to match their game- and you lost. The dull last-generation 626, Proteges of the 90's, and dissappearance of the RX-7 was the result. You made boring, anonymous cars that nobody wanted. Rumors of Mazda's death circulated widely.
Don't do it again please. Be very, very careful.
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RossL 2:34PM (4/18/2006)
My apologies for the double post. I never did get a confirmation email for the first one, which is why I wrote another one. Lo and behold, the first one mysteriously appeared on the site about 45 minutes after I sent it.
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Howard Kerr 3:08PM (4/18/2006)
Mazda's 626 and Mazda6 have always been "behind the curve" size-wise, but as several posters here point out..."is that such a bad thing?"
This is where Mazda's not having a bigger car, in ANY market of the world, is killing them.
This morning I passed a Mazda...something, on the way to work. (I am finding it hard to keep up with all the different van/SUV/crossover SUV thingees Mazda is rushing to market.) Mazda MAY be set to repeat it's fall again, by trying to hit every conceivable niche in the market.
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doug 3:57PM (4/18/2006)
I'm sure Mazda is just upsizing to match the dimensions of the Fusion. I wouldn't worry too much.
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Jeff the Baptist 4:03PM (4/18/2006)
"I am sure a lot of those people passed over the Mazda6 because of the backseat room."
I have my head in the ceiling of most sedan, but the 6 never bothered me. The 6 is a good size right now. Spacious but not too big. When they introduced it, it was between the old 626 and the Millenia. As gas prices continue to creep up, being smaller and doing more with less is going to get a lot more attractive. Keep the weight down.
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Cameron 4:34PM (4/18/2006)
I was a lot attendant at a Nissan/GMC/Mazda/Suzuki/Used Car dealership and I had a chance to drive the Mazda6 when it first came out, and I was very impressed. At the time the V6 was very adequate, and reasonably quick for being a midsize car. The manual trans was a piece of beauty, snicking between gears with confidence, very tight. The cockpit was tight, but I liked it for that reason--it made it feel much more like a sports car. Mazda is going to end up SAVING Ford, at least in the car division, thanks to the Fusion, Zephyr, and Milan all based on the 6's platform. Compared to the new cars coming out from other companies the 6 is starting to look a little dated, but hence the new generation.
Not to mention the Mazda3, which shares its platform with the very nice Volvo S40. The 3 has pretty big brakes for a compact, and actually handles well. Mazda steering has always been crisp and tight. Much like a Honda, but with a smaller sportier steering wheel and a bit less distance from lock to lock.
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Bobby 4:34PM (4/18/2006)
It may not be such a bad thing for the 6 to go up a little in size since the 3 is dangerously close to its proportions.
Maybe a little bigger to better differentiate it from teh 3's size. The current 6 may look different but interior dimensions are only slighly bigger.
Just keep the same attitude and handling Mazda! But please don't make it as big as a Camry or Altima, the current accord's size is about right for a mid-size.
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Justin 1:13PM (4/20/2006)
Meh, looks the same
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http://www.mesotheliomaissue.com
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Tex 11:42PM (4/20/2006)
Ive owned three Mazda 6s now finally with the new Speed6 and I have to agree that if this car gets any bigger, Ill go elsewhere for my next vehicle (probably Subaru if they keep it together). Unfortunately, just as in the past, the comptrollers get to killing off what started as a wondercar, in this case the 6i, and 6s. Even the Fusion/milan etc are not better cars by any measure. The Speed6 made it to production for specific reasons including timing--think SVT.
My prediction is that, just like the 88-91 626, this car will be a classic and mazda will have a difficult time selling accord and camry wannabes. I hope Im wrong for Mazda's sake, because Im one VERY satisfied customer with the Mazdaspeed 6.
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atif 6:42PM (5/19/2006)
The new Mazda6 should be from Japan not from Michigan. Everyone will the diffrence in quality, performance and specially fit and finish.
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