Spy Shots: 2009 Mazda6 caught naked with new curves
by John Neff on Feb 28th 2008 at 12:22AM 
Click above to view high-res spy shots of the 2009 Mazda6
Last September at the Frankfurt Motor Show, we made the claim that the new Euro-spec Mazda6 was bringing sexy back to the midsize sedan market. The version slated for sale in the United States will do the same, but not because it's identical to the one designed for Europe. It's not. These spy shots from Brenda Priddy & Co. show a completely naked prototype that was caught in Detroit. Though at first glance it looks exactly like the 6 that debuted in Frankfurt last year, closer inspection reveals many changes to the car, which corroborates reports we've heard that the U.S. version is also markedly different underneath its skin. Follow the jump for a review of the changes in store for U.S. customers. Gallery: 2009 Mazda6 - spy shots
Gallery: 2008 Mazda6
[Source: Brian Williams for Brenda Priddy & Co.]
Up front, we've noticed that this Mazda6 prototype features an open grille with a single crossbar, as opposed to the honeycomb-like grille of the European version. The lower air intake is also entirely different, with a pair of fog lights now placed as far apart as possible. Finally, the hood on this caught car features a pair of soft subtle creases, whereas the bonnet of the Euro-spec model gets a single, sharp crease down the center. The headlamps and taillights are completely different, and the rear of the car is also all new. The U.S. version will feature a pair of sporty exhaust tips integrated into its rear apron, which itself also features more curves than the Euro version. It's difficult to know in this case whether we should be envious of our kin across the pond as we know nothing about the mechanicals of the car you see above. Whether the two cars turn out to be identical in that respect or not (probably not), at least we're guaranteed a design that is both unique and familiar at the same time.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
Luis 12:27AM (2/28/2008)
Some will like it, some won't. I say good job Mazda!
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stretchsje 7:45AM (2/28/2008)
But regardless of how it looks, the real problem is that the USDM Mazda6 chassis is going to differ from the rest of the world's. Bigger, heavier, slower....
Andre 10:09AM (2/28/2008)
stretchsje, the platform is merely stretched slightly. It's the same otherwise.
cameron42985 12:30AM (2/28/2008)
That's the single sexiest thing I've seen all day.
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3seriesisking 11:25AM (2/28/2008)
Maybe you need to look a little harder......lol.....I'm just kidding, I couldn't help myself with a comment like that. Cheers.
Jimbo 11:29AM (2/28/2008)
Let me guess, you have to girlfriend.
cameron42985 2:41PM (2/28/2008)
haha. no kidding. I'm 22 and life's too short.
The concept did look much better, though.
eric 12:30AM (2/28/2008)
hmm i think i need to see more pics of the front, i do, however like the back of this one a little more
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Craig 7:02AM (2/28/2008)
Euro 6 has the better front
US 6 has the better rear
jgp 7:43AM (2/28/2008)
Craig nailed it.
The US rear fits the design better, while the US front looks like a cartoon.
John 3:52PM (2/28/2008)
Bingo. Euro front + US rear = perfect
psarhjinian 12:31AM (2/28/2008)
A little less brightwork on the front--down to the level of the current Mazda3--otherwise they've nailed the detailing and proportions. Very good work.
Anyone know if they're planning a five-door for North America?
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Richard Lawler 12:33AM (2/28/2008)
I gotta vote nay on this one. The front looks silly.
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Louis Duran 12:34AM (2/28/2008)
It's kinda hard to tell from just the two spy shots but I don't think I'm gonna like it as much as the Euro 6. That's too bad. Mazda/Ford decided they would spend the money to develop two different cars for two markets. One looks good and the other looks mediocre. They could have just made one car and sold them in both markets. Maybe they'll learn some day. I'm sure there was some committee somewhere in Ford that decided that it was best to develop a second car for North America for cost of production reasons or something like that but in the end it is going to be a bad decision.
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mabob 4:43PM (3/05/2008)
the japanese/euro car is much better looking .
Teddy 12:41AM (2/28/2008)
That guy is probably thinking "Hey hurry up I can't stay here forever, take the damn pictures before I get fired".
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Jimbo 12:42AM (2/28/2008)
The rear of this U.S. version is better looking than the Sebring-like rear on the Euro version. The Euro version has a better front. Those headlights on the U.S. version seem unnaturally small. Still better looking than Camry/Accord and I'm betting it'll be a blast to drive.
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iOrange 12:54AM (2/28/2008)
Love the back end, not really feeling the front end.. Also not really into the huge front fender arches.. hopefully it will look better in person..
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Sandeep 12:57AM (2/28/2008)
Loving it! The current 6 still looks fresh after all these years, and this new design is a worthy successor.
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John 12:59AM (2/28/2008)
It looks crappier. Like the European Focus is nothing like the US crappy focus, somehow everyone has decided that the US market likes to buy crap. The European 6 was the car of my dreams, the US is ho hum. It's larger proportions make it look silly and the detailing, especially in the front makes it look cheap.
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