Click above for a photo gallery of the 2009 Mazda6
Mazda has released the first photos and initial details on the new 2009 Mazda6. Designed specifically for North America, the car shares many cues with the Japanese and European-market cars that hit the scene over the last year. The car Americans and Canadians will drive is, in fact, bigger than its overseas counterparts. Visually, the front and rear fascias differ from the Japanese and European models as well. The USDM car gets a bisected grille and has its foglamps pushed out to the corners below the bumper. As we'd seen in spy photos, the car gets a completely different trunk, rear bumper, and exhaust treatment that's more appealing than the plainer setup Japanese and Europeans get.
Since Mazda released only exterior shots, we'll have to wait to see what the passenger accomodations look like. Base power comes from the same 2.5L four-cylinder base engine used in the Japan/Euro car, mated to either a 6-speed stick or 5-speed auto. The step-up 3.7L V6 is the same one you'll find under the hood of the CX-9. It's only transmission option is a six-speed auto with a manumatic sport shift feature. Horsepower and torque numbers for the USDM car haven't been released yet, but figure on seeing something in the neighborhood of 170 hp/166 lb-ft from the four. The six produces 273 horses and 270 lb-ft in CX-9 trim, so we'd expect something along those lines. Mazda's press release is pasted after the jump, in which you'll find no mention of either a wagon or 5-door hatchback variant. The '09 Mazda6 arrives as a sedan only, and it'll land in your local dealer showrooms later this summer.
[Source: Mazda]
PRESS RELEASE:
Mazda Reveals the All-New Mazda6 for the North American Market
- Designed and engineered specifically for North American customers -
HIROSHIMA, Japan-Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today revealed the all-new Mazda6 and confirmed that sales will start in late summer 2008.
Specifically developed for North America, the all-new Mazda6 inherits and evolves the sporty styling and superb driving performance of the first generation Mazda6. The North American model features a larger body and greater engine displacement to meet the particular demands of the North American market. Handling and comfort were also optimized for North American road conditions.
"Following the CX-7 and the CX-9, the 2009 North American Mazda6 is the third model that was designed and engineered specifically to meet the needs of our North American customers," said Daniel T. Morris, Mazda's senior managing executive officer in charge of marketing and overseas sales. "The midsize sedan segment is extremely competitive and the Mazda6 will be up against some of the best vehicles in the industry.
"The all-new Mazda6 offers plenty of Mazda's characteristic Zoom-Zoom vitality and we believe it will succeed in the challenging North American market. We will continue to deliver products that reflect our customers' needs and build Mazda's brand image in order to achieve the goals set out in our mid-term Mazda Advancement Plan."
The all-new North American Mazda6 will be powered by Mazda's newly developed 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder (I4) engine and its 3.7-liter V6 engine. The I4 engine is already available in the European and Japanese Mazda6 models and the V6 promises an exhilarating ride, coming straight from the 2008 North American Truck of the Year, the Mazda CX-9. A six-speed manual and a five-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift mode will be available for the I4 engine. The V6 will be coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift mode. The North American Mazda6 will be available only as a four-door sedan.
The all-new North American Mazda6 will be produced at AutoAlliance International in Flat Rock, Michigan, a joint venture with partner Ford Motor Company, as it has been since the first Mazda6 launched in 2002.
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario, Canada, and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
Aetius @ Apr 25th 2008 8:11AM
Gotta admit...the USDM back end is much nicer than the Euro version. Sincerely hoping Mazda kept the handling in-tact. Otheriwise, looks HOT.
Rocketboy @ Apr 25th 2008 8:29AM
I'm actually on the fence with that. As much as I like the NA spec rear end, I also appreciate the cleaner lines of the euro/asia boot. I like the handle-less look that other Mazda's have, like the 3 series hatch.
Torrent @ Apr 25th 2008 11:40AM
Yeah it looks much better than the current one. I was expecting to see a wagon, though. The front looks a little blank, but I love the fender arches.
Xcountryflyer @ Apr 25th 2008 1:41PM
I am so happy they didn't totally ruin the Euro/APac Mazda6 in bringing it to the US. It is a great looking sedan. The Camry is boring, the Accord is derivative, and the Altima is a pleasant rework of the previous one and it looks better than the decent Malibu. I hope the 6 will bring drivers to the fold like the 3 has done. It deserves success. MT recently tested the a 3 versus Civic, new Corolla, new Impreza and the 3 came out on test. Let the games begin.
Aprime @ Apr 25th 2008 2:46PM
I'm still amused by the fact that this car is manufactured in the US but not the Fusion.
Zane @ Apr 25th 2008 8:15AM
That looks uber hot. The 6 looks waayy better than the bland Camry, unfinished Accord and decent-looking Altima. Hope they offer the V6 with a manual.
FrankTheCrank @ Apr 25th 2008 9:57AM
Agreed. This is a sharp looking car. I think this is the one featured in Gran Tursimo 5 Prologue.
I can't wait to see what they do with the 3.
Ranger @ Apr 25th 2008 8:20AM
I'm so nice to see that there's a midsized sedan that isn't really boxy, like the accord and camry bunch. This has very nice lines and the fenders make it look sporty. Although I am a little concerned how all mazdas are starting to look pretty similar. Oh well, they look good.
bob cobb @ Apr 25th 2008 8:21AM
No wagon!?!?
TBlueMax @ Apr 25th 2008 11:02AM
+1
I can't buy what they don't sell here in the States. Especially disappointing given that Subaru discontinued their Legacy wagon (not interested in the Outback), Dodge discontinued their Magnum, and Pontiac decided against importing a G8 wagon - what is a wagon lover to do aside from exploring the German and Swedish options? Perhaps a new Jetta Sportwagen w/diesel?
bob cobb @ Apr 25th 2008 11:20AM
yup, its pathetic
singlespeeder @ Apr 25th 2008 11:25AM
this is crap...i was looking forward to the Mazda 6 wagon too. I'll be getting the Mazdaspeed3 for sure now
Richard @ Apr 25th 2008 12:20PM
Right. I was drooling over the G8 wagon too - would have probably gone for it even with the terrible fuel economy. If Mazda did a Mazdaspeed5, that might be interesting... but no luck there, either.
Benfolio @ Apr 25th 2008 1:04PM
Gimmie a 6 wagon with AWD and the V6 or MSP Turbo 4 and a 6-speed manny tranny I'll trade in my CX-7!!!!
C'mon Mazda!!!
Oh wait, I forgot I work for them and they do this crap all the time. SADNOW.
Gargamello @ Apr 26th 2008 7:07PM
I was thinking the same thing - where's the wagon. I'm not going to buy this or any new car until the Chinese start sending over cheap hybrids in about 2011, but it would have been a tempting option.
accord745 @ Apr 25th 2008 8:21AM
this one is gonna steal sales from the malibu
Ford Wannup @ Apr 25th 2008 10:09AM
I have currently 3 Hondas (5 if you include the lawnmower), and out of my previous 3, 2 of them were Hondas. I hope that Mazda 6 steal sales from Accord in a big way...big enough to wake Honda up from their bland design.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Apr 25th 2008 11:25AM
It'll steal sales from the Malibu like the Mazda3 steals sales from the Cobalt.
That is, anyone who wants to spend a heck of a lot more and get a nicer car will buy the Mazda instead.
They don't really compete in the same market space.
asurroca @ Apr 25th 2008 12:09PM
@Ford Wannup: Based on that comment, I guess none of those Hondas you own is a current-gen, eh? Seriously, someone needs to tell Honda you can't just mash-up ten different design directions in every car and call it a day....
accord745 @ Apr 25th 2008 12:41PM
accord owners are stubbornly loyal, so many of them will continue to buy accords regardless of how they look. in the same way, camry owners mostly care about reliability and comfort, so they won't be swayed by the sportier mazda.