All-New Mazda6: In Depth

Press Release

Key Value One: EMOTIONAL AND SPORTY

Engaging styling and dynamic performance creates a sense of delight and kizuna (strong emotional ties) when the owner looks at or drives the new Mazda6.

Design

Chief designer Youichi Sato describes the design theme for the new Mazda6 as “Bold and Exquisite.” The design is an evolved Zoom-Zoom form, which cleverly combines two seemingly contradicting ideas of strength and delicate grace through an expression of Japanese aesthetics. While inheriting the ‘athletic’ design that was key to the signature Mazda look of the previous model, the new Mazda6 is yet a stronger statement of driving dynamism. Its designers also worked on a combination of playfulness and dignity to create a new expression of “cool,” aimed at moving the Mazda6 to the top of its class. Youichi Sato states, “it is vitally important that the new Mazda6 con?dently embodies a Japanese design identity . And it must still look fresh in 10 years’ time.”

Advanced Exterior Styling Based on Japanese Aesthetics

The design theme “Bold and Exquisite” is embodied in the new Mazda6’s sporty styling that is sure to turn heads. “Japanese aesthetics give new Mazda6 its unique visual identity,” says Sato. “Rather than being derived from traditional sculpted forms, it stands apart from its rivals by straightforwardly expressing the Japanese aesthetic sense to embody a new and advanced character.”

The exterior has a unique character, expressed by the interplay of discreetly ?owing curves and prominent edges from the front end through the fenders, and through the taut curves that lend richness and strength to the rear view. The door panels placed between the sharp top and bottom character lines convey an expression of beauty from simplicity . Then there’s the exquisiteness of detail evident everywhere in the tsukurikomi (inbuilt quality). Combined, these elements of beauty create an advanced, emotion-pleasing character that could only be found in a Mazda.

As before, there are three body styles: hatchback, sedan and estate . The ?ve-door hatchback symbolizes the new Mazda6’s sporty and sophisticated nature with a ?owing, coupé-style silhouette and a six side-window cabin design. The sedan plays down its three-box form with its tautly- arched cabin and short, high tail, giving it a fastback look clearly related to that of the hatchback. The estate version features three-dimensional curves that give volume and tension to the side and rear view to achieve a level of stylish design, rare in an estate.

Interior Design – Driving Enjoyment, Secure Feeling, High Quality

The sporty and sophisticated interior design perfectly expresses the “Bold and Exquisite” design theme. For the sporty aspect, the designers created a snug, cockpit-like driving environment with a relaxed driving position, clear instruments and intuitive controls to support it. The design of the dashboard and door trim builds an exquisite contrast between gracefulness and sharpness and mechanical dignity to yield a space where the driver and passengers travel in pleasure, comfort and calmness, helped by the way the facia top curves away from the occupants and seems to ?oat above the structure beneath.

Richly curved surfaces create depth by casting controlled shadows to convey a sense of dignity and high quality feel . New textured paint, sophisticated materials and controlled glossiness add to the air of craftsmanship, along with the micro?ne accuracy with which the components ?t together.

Driving Dynamics

The development theme for the Mazda6’s dynamics was “Driving performance that creates oneness between the car and driver. ” This was realized by driving dynamics, steering, handling, and brake performance that respond accurately to the driver’s intentions. Also, the further enhanced high- quality ride and quietness provide a sense of security in accordance with the feeling of oneness between the car and the driver. This solid sense of security created by the con?dent, predictable handling is central to the Zoom-Zoom evolution concept embodied in the new Mazda6.

Enhanced Engine Line-Up

A new 2.5-litre petrol engine has been developed from the previous 2.3-litre unit. The MZR 2.5 has a bigger bore and a longer stroke, plus freer-?owing intake and exhaust ports which together improve torque in the frequently used range by approximately 10 percent . This assures a more linear acceleration feel, nimbler driving and more precise response. Power is 170 PS . Also available are the enhanced 1.8 and 2.0-litre petrol engines and the MZR-CD 2.0 turbo diesel , carried over from the previous Mazda6.

Advanced Six-Speed Manual Transmission

The six-speed manual transmission offers an especially precise shift operation with built-in positive stops for the extremes of the gear lever‘s movements. Also, with the counter weight, a light and smooth operation feel was pursued. The synchronisers between 5th and 6th gears are enlarged to lower the shift force required during high-speed driving by 15 percent compared to the previous version.

Responsive, Con?dence-Inspiring Suspension System

Whether driving in the city or on the motorway, the suspension system delivers a responsive and reassuring drive. The high- mounted double-wishbone front suspension is mounted on a subframe now attached to the body at six points instead of four , for a further re?ned steering stability. This dramatically reduces road noise and improves ride comfort because it allows the use of more compliant suspension bushes.

In the multi-link rear suspension , the front pivot of the trailing link is now placed higher to reduce tail-lift under braking, and the dampers are mounted more upright to improve the leverage acting on them and thus their responsiveness. These modi?cations enhance both handling stability and ride comfort.

Electric Power Steering for Sportiness and Enhanced Environmental Performance

In order to achieve optimal steering assist at various speeds, such as comfortable handling at low speed and stable and rigid handling at high speed, the former hydraulic power steering is replaced with an electric system. Also, to give a more natural steering feel , special attention was paid to reduce the inertia level. Similar to the Mazda RX-8 the motor is mounted on the steering rack and has further evolved with a brushless motor. Also, the fuel economy is improved by approximately two percent compared to the former hydraulic power steering.

Powerful, Progressive, Responsive Brake System

The new Mazda6 is ?tted with larger front brake discs and a larger-diameter master cylinder to enhance the performance level, and brake feel is optimised by various brake tuning measures. The result is a brake system with a very rigid and linear feel, controllable brake performance that conforms to the driver’s intentions. The stopping distance from 100 km/h is 39 m on dry ground, among the best in the segment (Mazda in-house measurement).

Lightweight Body with Greater Rigidity

Besides achieving high body rigidity , Mazda engineers worked on reducing weight to further improve dynamic performance and fuel economy. Reinforcement at key points and the widespread use of high-tensile and ultra- high-tensile steel brought signi?cant increase in torsional stiffness , up by 30 percent for the hatchback, 25 percent for the estate and 14 percent for the sedan. Despite this, the body shell’s weight is greatly reduced to class leading levels due to the increased percentage by weight of high-tensile and ultra-high-tensile steel sheet and an optimal layout created by using CAE technology.

Aerodynamics Among the Segment‘s Best

Attractive styling and aerodynamic ef?ciency go hand-in- hand with the Mazda6. From the early stages of development, Mazda engineers utilized simulation testing to the fullest in order to improve their initial designs, and then carefully ?ne-tuned them with prototypes and the wind tunnel. In the end, they achieved a remarkable drag coef?cient (Cd) of 0.27 for the hatchback and sedan versions and 0.28 for the estate . New horseshoe-shaped air de?ectors ahead of the front wheels ensure adequate brake cooling despite the low Cd. Fore-and-aft lift balance is also optimised, keeping the car stable and ?rmly grounded at high speed.