Another day, another dose of spy pics of the new Mazda6. Bigger than the previous model, the new 6 is rumored to be sitting on the CD3-2 platform found under the Ford Mondeo and Volvo S80. We expect some version of Ford's 3.5L Cyclone V6 in top models, and a 2.5L four cylinder in the base 6. One of the most versatile and fun to drive vehicles in its class, we're hoping to see similar sedan, hatchback, and wagon versions of the new 6 return to showrooms when the model debuts next year as a 2009 model. There's even talk of a hybrid version in the works.The new platform couldn't come at a better time for Mazda. Even though it has been an engaging ride, competition in this segment is cutthroat and just about every competitor has surpassed this mid-size Mazda in power, size and driving dynamics. Still pretty heavily camouflaged, these new pics offer a few more glimpses of exposed sheetmetal. The Car Connection spies found this advanced prototype just outside Ford's Detroit engineering operations. They said to expect familial styling, with the prominent front fenders a lá Mazda's RX-8, MX-5, CX-7 and CX-9.
Click the read link for several larger photos.
[Source: The Car Connection]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
phil @ Apr 19th 2007 2:22PM
I hope the tailpipes don't end up looking like that in the production model.
Mark @ Apr 19th 2007 2:25PM
It will indeed be continued to be offered in 4dr, 5dr, and wagon models. Mazda has long since confirmed this.
M. @ Apr 19th 2007 2:40PM
And I expect the PSA sourced 2.2l twin turbo diesel with ~170hp and lots of torque...
sydbot @ Apr 19th 2007 2:47PM
"and just about every competitor has surpassed this mid-size Mazda in power, size and driving dynamics."
So wait just because competitors are bigger and fatter means the 6 needs a small upsizing? And no, most competitors have not surpassed the driving dynamics of the old 6. I like how the article says the new 6 has something of a "fuller, and more voluptuous" styling. Which is code for FAT. I really don't like this styling trend of cars looking fat. Most everything got real taught and attractive in the early 00's; if it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Jim @ Apr 19th 2007 2:56PM
I just think it's silly to show "spy photo's" the only think anyone can see is a headlight or a wheel. Big deal.
the_gamper @ Apr 19th 2007 3:18PM
The new 6 is gonna MURDA the Accord and Camry. The only reason people still by them is because they havent driven the Mazda.
Hernan @ Apr 19th 2007 3:22PM
Good thing they are re-designing. The 2003 Mazda6 was a total ripoff of the 2007 Camry.
Bobby @ Apr 19th 2007 3:50PM
Me no like. I hope Mazda is hiding some beautiful stuff once the camouflage comes off. This test car already looks too porky and too mundane like the current generation accord or altima.
I'll leave the camry out of that class, since Toyota so brazenly copied design cues from the Mazda6 that I actually like its new design a bit.
Bobby @ Apr 19th 2007 3:51PM
Me no like. I hope Mazda is hiding some beautiful stuff once the camouflage comes off. This test car already looks too porky and too mundane like the current generation accord or altima.
I'll leave the camry out of that class, since Toyota so brazenly copied design cues from the Mazda6 that I actually like its new design a bit.
Dandy @ Apr 19th 2007 3:53PM
Dear Mazda,
Whomever is in charge of designing your wheels is a "no talent assclown." That is all.
Don @ Apr 19th 2007 3:55PM
Well, those pics are practically useless as you can tell NOTHING from them.
Eric B @ Apr 19th 2007 4:05PM
Hernan,
That has to be one of the funniest posts I've ever read here. You made my day!
Don @ Apr 19th 2007 4:26PM
Wow. You can tell absolutely NOTHING from those photos.
Dan @ Apr 19th 2007 8:16PM
Just rented a current model 6 in San Francisco and drove it down 101. This 4-cylinder automatic had a spoiler which it was unlikely to ever need. There was an LED display at the bottom of the speedometer that I honestly thought read "S" for Slow and I looked for a pushbutton to get out of Slow mode. Later I realized that it was a "5", as it read 1-2-3-4-5 when I accelerated from a stop.
Typesbad @ Apr 19th 2007 9:17PM
Hmmm. Makes me a little nervous. It does look a bit fat, bringing faint flashbacks of when they went from the very nice early 90s 626 to the embarrasing Camry wannabe in 98.
I'm also leery of the headlight design. The Mazda6 and 3 have had such nice clean coherent headlight designs at a time when the rest of the industry seems intent on making them look like crystal transformers in mid-transition.
But I'm not giving up hope. Mazda knows that producing models that actually deliver on their "Zoom Zoom" promise is their one and only Unique Selling Proposition. For them to lose that on one of their most visible models (re: '98 626 again) would be deadly for the whole brand.
Dan @ Apr 20th 2007 5:21PM
Why is it that the automotive press keeps trotting out confusion about Ford platforms?
The CD3-2 is *not* used in any current production vehicles. It will be a revision of the current CD3 platform, which underpins the current Mazda6/Fusion/Milan/MKZ.
The current Volvo S80 is on the EUCD platform, as is the 2007 Mondeo.