No plans to release Mazda6 hybrid
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Mazda6.
Despite having the ability to snatch the 2.3-liter gasoline-electric hybrid from FoMoCo's arsenal – the same engine found in the Mazda Tribute Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid and 2009 Fusion – Mazda has decided to keep the new Mazda6 hybrid-free for the time being. Jay Amestoy, veep of public and governmental affairs for Mazda, told InsideLine that the automaker is content that the new 6 can hold its own against the competition, despite the high cost of fuel. "Our real-world MPG numbers will be strong, and we think the fuel economy is pretty good the way it is."
The 2009 Mazda6, equipped with the base 2.5-liter four and a manual transmission is rated at 20/29 mpg on the EPA's city/highway estimates, while the 3.7-liter V6-equipped model comes in at 17/25 mpg.
Sales of hybrids continued to rise, but consumer's tastes seem to favor dedicated hybrid models like the Prius, instead of hybrid sedans and cute 'utes based off normal models originally equipped with traditional powerplants.
Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Mazda6
Gallery: 2009 Mazda6
[Source: InsideLine]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Benfolio 2:37PM (8/01/2008)
Bah, they don't sell the Tribute Hybrid here (not in CA), and no one cares.
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XJ 2:40PM (8/01/2008)
I have nothing against keeping the 6 hybrid-free. But I wouldn't exactly call 20/29 (I4) and 17/25 (V6) strong numbers.
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Reuben 2:51PM (8/01/2008)
The Ford system that would be available (if Mazda wanted it) would be a 2.5l i4 hybrid (the same in the 09 escape/mariner and the same that will come in the '10 fusion/milan.
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cain 2:55PM (8/01/2008)
The Mazda6 needs:
1) Hatchback in the USA
2) Coupe model
3) Hybrid that improves performance not fuel effeciency
4) MazdaSpeed with EcoBoost and a good AWD
the last 2 can be done in 5000 unit runs like the old models.
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Snark 3:40PM (8/01/2008)
"1) Hatchback in the USA
2) Coupe model
3) Hybrid that improves performance not fuel effeciency
4) MazdaSpeed with EcoBoost and a good AWD"
1) The Mazda6 Hatch has the lowest take rate of the three current variants.
2)Why?
3) That didn't work for the Accord Hybrid, and it wouldn't work now. Fuel efficiency is the core of the hybrid market.
4)This, and only this, I agree with.
Xcountryflyer 4:15PM (8/01/2008)
Agree with the need for a nice coupe to go against the Accord and Altima coupe. Mazda has no sporty coupe cars except for the RX-8, which appeals to a core niche.
I liked the 6 hatchback but I would bring a wagon over before another 5DR hatch.
A Mazdaspeed 6 and MX-5 would be nice.
cain 4:26PM (8/01/2008)
"1) The Mazda6 Hatch has the lowest take rate of the three current variants.
2)Why?
3) That didn't work for the Accord Hybrid, and it wouldn't work now. Fuel efficiency is the core of the hybrid market.
4)This, and only this, I agree with."
1) The hatch was never marketed properly. It had a low take rate but also low numbers on lots.
2) Mid size coupes with power is a market Mazda has not touched since the mx-6. The major competitors have these cars, why not Mazda?
3) It didnt work for Honda because most honda drivers don't want any performance. They want reliable A-B cars. Let Mazda tune something. Again, make 5000. Heck make 2000 and see how they sell.
4) I think mazdaspeed should just be a line, kinda like M or AMG.
why not the LS2LS7? 2:55PM (8/01/2008)
20/29 is not keeping up well. The Malibu, Accord and Camry all beat it, the Malibu does it by 4mpg highway. And all those are automatics (which many people like).
Oh, I just looked, the automatic 5-speed 6 gets 21/30, which is competitive (1 lower) than the Accord and Camry. Still 10% off the Malibu though.
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Randy915 2:57PM (8/01/2008)
Regardless of how much fuel you actually save with hybrids, I think this is a bad marketing move on the part of Mazda because hybrids are an essential part of any family car line up.
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Bill 3:36PM (8/01/2008)
I think you are a little ahead of the curve.
Its not that way just yet, but in 5-10 years it will be. By then, I think practically all cars will be hybridized in some way, and it will be normal for all cars to be hybrid, not just "hybrid-only" cars that people buy because they want to be seen driving one. (you know who I'm talking about)
Ben 2:58PM (8/01/2008)
My 1999 Chrysler 300m with 253hp and 255lb.-ft/torque and an old 4 speed automatic was rated at 18/27 and would consistently get 30mpg on the road in real world driving.
Glad to see we have made so much progress on the fuel economy front in the last decade...
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Joe K. 3:14PM (8/01/2008)
Based on the revised EPA estimates, the 300M should only get 16 city and 24 Hwy. So i highly doubt that you see 30, but you may so I'm not going to argue that point. However using the logic that these new numbers are able to be exceeded, 25 hwy is better, but I don't think a 3.7L V6 is designed to be the fuel saver of the group.
Ben 4:16PM (8/01/2008)
Good point, I forgot about the revised numbers.
But yes, I would get 30mpg according to the onboard computer, when i was cruising at about 70 on flat stretches of freeway. I'm not going to lie, the first time I saw that number, it surprised the hell out of me.
Stephen Lang 5:31PM (8/01/2008)
I don't doubt your numbers at all, but the EPA numbers are based on standardized test that include different driving conditions for each (city/highway.)
Now if you averaged 30 MPG over a long trip, that would be impressive!!
I3ziko 3:00PM (8/01/2008)
If you haven’t heard yet, Mazda is working on 2.2L 170hp turbodiesel engine for European market 6. That would be a great option instead of the hybrid.
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Steve_S 3:00PM (8/01/2008)
Mazda is probably right, many people who buy hybrids want to be seen as being green as opposed to just saving fuel. The Prius does that while hybrid versions of pedestrian models do not.
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9394 5:16AM (8/02/2008)
My current Prius MPG is 48.5. No pedestrian model gets this mileage.
Seoultrain 3:09PM (8/01/2008)
Cool, Mazda isn't selling out. They're doing well selling fuel-efficient, fun cars. Hybrids just make everything into a boring appliance. The day Mazda sells a 6 hybrid is the day they jump the shark.
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FFS 5:11PM (8/01/2008)
come on, its almost identical
Seoultrain 7:58PM (8/01/2008)
The car may be similar, but it's the principle.
One buys a Mazda to have fun.
One buys a hybrid to save gas at the expense of fun (battery weight, LRR tires).
It would indeed be selling out.