Frankfurt Preview: 2008 Mazda6 breaks early
by Siddharth Raja on Sep 6th 2007 at 11:17AM 
click image for gallery of high-res photos
Frankfurt's IAA is just days away, and as the eventual deadline approaches, more and more info on new models are being leaked despite the best attempts of automakers to prevent it. This time 'round it's the new Mazda6, a mid-sized sedan set to go head-to-head with the new Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, among others. Let us be the first to say that compared to its aforementioned rivals, the new Mazda6 is miles ahead of the competition in terms of style and would even give some of the premium makes a run for their money.
Some of the new features we can expect for the car include luxury items such as xenon headlights, LED detailing, heated seats and an engine starter button. If Mazda can maintain a similar price tag as the current model, the new 6 will turn out to be a sure-fire winner in the hotly contested mid-sized sedan market.
The specifications are for European models, but the only major addition for U.S.-spec cars will be the option of a 3.5L V6 in addition to the base four-cylinder. The only official details we have so far is that the new car will weigh less than the outgoing model and will use less fuel and emit fewer CO2 emissions to boot. We'll bring you all the official details of the new Mazda6 when arrive in Frankfurt next week.
[Source: KM77]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
Bob-omb 11:25AM (9/06/2007)
Hmmmm....I like it! Looks much more current than the outgoing model.
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tim 1:30PM (9/06/2007)
MALIBU ..... WHAT'S A MALIBU?
dan 5:23PM (9/06/2007)
it looks awesome from the front, but the rear looks too much like the sebring
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/09/autoblog-mazda-6-025.jpg
http://www.chrysler.com/shared/2007/sebring/gallery/enlarged/ext/photo_13.jpg
Don 6:31PM (9/06/2007)
Looks bigger in every way, too...not too sure if I'm thrilled with that.
polar 11:25AM (9/06/2007)
Mmmmm Wagon.
But I think the Hatch has the best lines.
The profile is pretty striking, as it the front end.
Now for pricing/options?
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TBlueMax 3:15PM (9/06/2007)
For me, the wagon is the most striking of the variants and likely the most useful version as well. If the wagon were to come to the U.S. with a clean diesel - all the better.
smartmlp 6:11PM (9/06/2007)
The car is obviously is better looking then its competition, but then again thats not surprising given that there are many cars that look better then the Camry and accord. I don't like the rear end, it looks old to me. As for the Chevy Malibu, I think it is at least in the same league as this car, especially considering the Malibu will most likely cost less. I have not seen either car hands on as far as the materials, its too early right now. But the interior of the Malibu seems much more to the point and not as busy as this cars interior. With that said, the front of the car looks great, its not too radical but its not boring conservative either.
Gray Smith 11:26AM (9/06/2007)
hmm....I'd drive a Mazda, I really like that alot(and I haven't checked out the gallery yet either)
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Steve 11:26AM (9/06/2007)
This car is gorgeous!! Hopefully this hints at what the new fusion will look like!
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Mike 11:40AM (9/06/2007)
They showed a rendering of the updated Fusion on autoblog here awhile back (only from the front though) and it did resemble the Mazda 6. I think the more exiting possiblity for Fusion is for it to get the 3.5 and the MKZ to get the 3.7L that the MKS will come out with next year. With DI on both these engines, they should make more than 285HP for the 3.5 and more than 300HP for the 3.7.
With the new looks (even better than the old) and even better powertrains, the Fusion, Milan, MKZ should be even hotter than they are now and shoot past Toyota, Honda, and GM in this segment.
That all being said, this new 6 looks sweet. A 3.5L and manual would be a blast.
John P. 11:31AM (9/06/2007)
VERY NICE!!!!!! I like the way the fender blends into the front end, and the diagonal creased ramp up towards the ass. it's muscular yet sleek at the same time.
Toyota should spend some money and lure Mazda's designers away. This is nice.
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naggs 12:08PM (9/06/2007)
less weight with the new 3.5?! the old one was fun, this thing is going to be a blast
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Mehdi Cheddadi 11:32AM (9/06/2007)
The front looks great! (not awesome, but more like a mazda3 that's been pimped) The back Is yawn inducing though...
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geo.stewart 2:32PM (9/06/2007)
I'm the opposite. I think the back exudes FoE's kinetic personality while Mazda is trying too hard with the forced wheel arches in the front. It works on the RX8 but not here. Mazda, please dont do it to the 3.
Dave in MI 11:33AM (9/06/2007)
Looks like a car you need to see in person to really get.
Not crazy about the interior although it does not offend. If the display really says "zoom-zoom" i'm out.
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Homercycles 10:32PM (9/06/2007)
I'm kinda hoping that it would probably show CD track information (especially MP3 ID3 tags) where it says "Zoom Zoom" for the promo shot. I can't see anywhere else it would show CD track info on the centre console itself, so it must be up top.
hube 11:34AM (9/06/2007)
Beautiful. Way better than new accord, camry, altima, etc.
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torpeau 12:54PM (9/06/2007)
You sure are right -- nicer that all of them. Still can't figure out what happened to the Honda stylists after they finished the Civic.
Imp 2:55PM (9/06/2007)
torpeau, they were sedated ... too much Battlestar Gallactica in the Civic put them into a long sleep. Thankfully.
pe_tor 11:38AM (9/06/2007)
Mmmm...gimme a wagon in blue with the 6 speed pictured...
I hope they offer a body color "sport grille" as the did with the 1st generation 6 at it's debut...
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