Mazda 6
Mazda 6 - Evolution is normally a very slow process but not in the Mazda camp. It seems like only yesterday when they zoom zoomed their way into the UK hearts with the Mazda 6 in June 2002, that has to hold the honorable title of the most revolutionary cars to date.
Now the second generation Mazda 6 is about to woo us all over again just in time for Christmas with a selection of saloon or hatchback body styles, five trims and four power trains on petrol engines, or, if you can stand the wait, January for the diesels and February for the estates.
Perfectly timed amid the abhorrent increases crippling the motorists, the Mazda 6 is gunning for cost conscious envoimental friendly motorists choosing, and I use the word very lightly, to downsize their SUV or MPV in favour for a more cost efficient vehicle yet retaining the comfort, convenience and versatility the said mentioned vehicles of this world offer.
With prices starting at just £15,100 and a price structure so simple unlike its 25-model line up although existing fans will note the 50% reduction in this field, the first tick is on the box. But what will sway motorists will be the reduction in CO2 emissions by an average of 5% over its predecessors meaning savings in the VED department along with huge savings in company car tax especially apparent on the 1.8 petrol that sees it falling through five bands from 24% to 19 %. With company cars also taking hammering recently in taxes, this is sure to win some zoom zoom points. That’s the second box ticked.
Aesthetically, the new Mazda 6 will have seven new colours to chose from including a lovely Stormy Blue, takes the accentuated front wheel arches from its sibling the RX 8 along with a bolder front grille, and twin exhaust pipes on the 2.0 and 2.5 litre models. I was privy to drive the 2.5 litre petrol in the newly created executive trim, the SL, well we were in Saint Tropez so nothing but the best here, that came with 18 inch alloy wheels, colour coded bumpers, door handles, electrically adjustable, heated and folded door mirrors, dark privacy glass in the rear and side windows plus an electric sunroof.
Inside there is more leg and elbow room so I could stretch out to enjoy the Mazda 6 attributes and bask in the comfort of my surroundings. With electrically adjustable heated leather front seats, I found the prefect driving position. Toys to aid me included the Start Stop button, a BOSE audio system with CD changer plus integrated Bluetooth, cruise control, electric windows and duel zone air conditioning. This may have not been as luxurious as some of the yachts we passed by, but it certainly ticked box three for me.
Performance and agility has been improved thanks to the strict weight control from the engineers resulting in a beautifully smooth drive and die hard Mazda 6 fans will be pleased to know the noise, vibrations and harshness has been greatly improved resulting in very quite ride. The rack electric power assisted steering has been introduced giving a firmer feel of the wheel as well as reducing fuel consumption and as a result, the 2.5 litre petrol on the six speed manual gearbox achieves 8.1 mpg 1/1000km on a combined cycle, top speed of 220 km/h and 0-100km in a mere 8.0 seconds.
With CO2 emissions down at 192g/km, this will attract not just private buyers but fleet as well. Parking is taken care of thanks to front and rear parking sensors so no excuses not to shop till you drop especially with the handy power button to release the boot meaning you can just simply pop the bags into the 519 litres of boot space. For me, that is definitely box four ticked.
Safety issues have also been addressed and improved with ‘active ‘headrests on the front seats, bi-xenon headlamps with cornering lights and a new cross functional network with the steering wheel having remote controls for the audio, air conditioning, trip computer and Bluetooth helping the driver operate these controls more safely than taking hands of the wheel. This is in addition to front passenger, side and curtain airbags, front seatbelt pre-tensioners with load limiters, ISOFIX anchorages and special foam in the bumper to help reduce the chance of leg injury. Aiding and abetting me is an auto dimming rear view mirror, dusk sensing automatic lights, Adaptive Front Lighting System, tyre pressure monitoring system and rain sensing wipers, while for the Mazda 6 staying out of the repair garage is ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, Traction Control System and Dynamic Stability Control. A further improvement to protection pedestrians includes an energy absorbing space between the bonnet and the engine. Safety is paramount in any vehicle hence the Mazda 6 has box 5 ticked.
Driving along the stunning coastline of the South of France through Saint Tropez up to Nice, the surroundings were simply breathtaking as were the yachts. The sun was shining, children playing on the beach and as we stopped for coffee at a café by the sea, time for me could have stood still. It was a surreal moment, but I kept looking at this Mazda 6 and how it seemed to fit and befit its surroundings. This 2.5 SL petrol four door saloon comes on a £20,680 price tag and it had everything I needed in terms of driver comfort, ride and handling. What a great price, so, for me, the Mazda 6 gets its sixth box ticked.
Enjoy to be zoom zoomed all over again.
FemaleFirst - Jackie Violet