2011 MAZDA6 SPORTY APPEARANCE UNIQUE EXPERIENCE INSIGHTFUL PACKAGE

The MAZDA6 is a mid-size sedan that offers all the standards in its class like four-doors, five-passenger seating, interior roominess, comfort and convenience features and lots of cargo space. However, the MAZDA6 goes one step further by adding style, performance, technology and passion that no other vehicle in class can offer. Mazda simply calls that 'Zoom-Zoom'.

For the 2011 model year, MAZDA6 is more fuel efficient and receives a new headlight and fog light design, as well as a new 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheel design. Touring Plus and Grand Touring models receive new side folding mirrors with turn signal lamps. The new 2011 MAZDA6's styling is based on the sporty design of the current model, but these updates mean a clearer premium identity and more refined character. Inside, a new §teering wheel design and premium trim accents on the center instrument panel greet the driver upon entry. Two new exterior colors are added for the 2011 model year – Ingot Silver and Techno White Pearl.

A new 4.3-inch Multi-Information Display for audio and Bluetooth controls and a rearview camera are now standard on Grand Touring models. A rearview camera is also added to the optional Navigation System on Grand Touring models which features an upgraded 7-inch touch screen display with real-time traffic information. Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio are added as standard equipment to the Touring model.

Program Engineer Hiroshi Kajiyama established ambitious goals and high standards in the development of the MAZDA6. To be widely recognized as the best vehicle available in the mid-size market, the MAZDA6's underlying concept rests solidly on three fundamental pillars:
• A sporty appearance integrated with a highly dynamic character
• A unique experience
• An insightful package

EXPRESSIVE EXTERIOR STYLING

Chief Designer Youichi Sato summed up the opportunity represented by a new sport sedan with world-wide reach as 'Time to be Japanese.' MAZDA6's design is defined by three key guidelines:
• Evolve the Zoom-Zoom spirit to the next level.
• Infuse the new MAZDA6 with a dignified sports appearance.
• Ensure that the design reflects Japanese culture, aesthetics, and spirit.

The bold exterior design of the MAZDA6 features a front fender reminiscent of the one found on today's RX-8. Sculpture that flows from the front fascia, through the headlamp, over the top of the front-wheel opening, and into the side surface ahead of the front door achieves two aims: it accents the importance of wheels to the MAZDA6's athletic character and it visually trims the length of the front overhang.

The harmony of sharp edges with richly curved surfaces adds to the MAZDA6's visual appeal. Powerful wheel arches, attached like wings to an airplane's fuselage, create an athletic stance and instill a dynamic character. Large areas of both doors are perfectly smooth and taut to exhibit blank-space beauty. Fine attention to detail is clearly evident in the taillights' intricate LED components. All lights nestle jewel-like within their surrounding surfaces.

HIGH QÚALITY, REFINED INTERIOR

While a few distinctive Mazda interior design elements, such as round instruments and a three-spoke §teering wheel accompanied by a T-shaped instrument panel, were a given from the start of this design project, new priorities called for an otherwise fresh approach. The quality of execution had to be the highest Mazda had ever achieved in any ÚS production. Surface textures, gloss levels, parting lines, and decorative areas all received careful attention.

The interior needed an expansive feeling without losing its focus on fun for the driver combined with comfort and safety for all passengers. To achieve that, a bi-level theme was adopted: a roomy bottom zone with solid and safe upper areas.

Blacked-out instrument faces with brighter metallic markings, needles, and trim gives the MAZDA6 interior an exquisitely detailed look. Seats are highly refined with soft-look volumes combined with comfortable cushions and highly effective side bolsters. Attractively curved surfaces blend the console into the instrument panel.

Sculpted shapes combined with metallic-lòòking control panel areas achieve the desired contrast between dignity and celestial beauty. Crisp edges abut gently curved soft surfaces. Únique patterns and textures give the MAZDA6's interior a fresh, original appearance. Úse of black trim provides a rich, sporty look that's unprecedented in the mid-size §egmènt. High-mounted audio system and climate controls enhance functionality. A new §teering wheel design is added for 2011, along with new premium trim accents on the instrument panel.

The entry-level interior benefits from brightly plated metal accents and a choice of black or beige cloth upholstery with a contemporary weave pattern. Available Touring-level trim adds a leather §teering wheel cover. The Grand Touring interior uses leather only for upholstery material in a choice of black or beige tones.

PERFORMANCE THAT WILL MAKE YOÚ SMILE

Mazda's reputation for providing world-class powertrains – both engines and transmissions – is deeply rooted. Quick throttle response, strong acceleration, and outstanding flexibility are core to Mazda's spirit. Guaranteeing that MAZDA6 customers enjoy the class-leading performance they expect, two engine choices are offered on the sedan. (concept carz) Both engine choices receive improved fuel economy for 2011.

MZR 4-Cylinder:

A 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine is available, delivering 170 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. Its peak torque of 167 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm tops nearly all competitors' engines. EPA fuel economy is 22 city/31 hwy on automatic and 21 city/30 hwy on manual transmission.

Advanced features include chain-driven dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, counter-rotating balance shafts located in the oil pan, and aluminum block and head construction to save weight. The crankshaft is forged steel for utmost durability. Forged connecting rods minimize reciprocating weight.

Variable intake valve timing yields a smooth idle, low emissions, and excellent high-rpm power. An injection-molded, nylon-reinforced-plastic intake manifold provides smooth internal passages with minimal weight. Fuel is delivered to the intake ports by an electronically controlled sequential injection system. Ignition coils are modular units positioned directly above the spark plugs. Shimless bucket tappets require no maintenance. Light-weight pistons are coated with a special anti-friction compound and fitted with low-tension rings for improved gas mileage.

Several features designed especially for maximum power in the MAZDA6 i application include a cylinder head with improved intake and exhaust flow, a low-restriction exhaust manifold, and a two-mode intake manifold with a center entry and an electronically-controlled throttle body.

To minimize noise and vibration, the damper at the forward end of the crankshaft is equipped with two tuned masses. At the output end, a flexible flywheel also diminishes NVH. The deep-skirt block is engineered for extra stiffness and main-bearing caps are integral with a lower-block ladder-type reinforcement.

3.7-LITER MZI V6:

The 60-degree 3.7-liter V6 engine, designated MZI, will continue to be utilized on the 2011 MAZDA6.

With a stirring 272 horsepower available at 6,250 rpm and 269 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm, the MZI V6 is the most powerful engine in its class. As power is nothing without control, Mazda engineering tests show that it's also quieter than its competitors at full throttle. EPA fuel economy is 18 city/27 hwy with its standard-equipment automatic transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com)

The list of advanced features includes light and stiff aluminum construction for the block and cylinder heads, a forged-steel crankshaft with induction-hardened journals, and variable intake-valve timing. Dual-overhead camshafts are chain-driven and equipped with maintenance-free direct-acting bucket tappets.

Cast-in iron cylinder liners provide a dependable bore surface. The intake manifold is injection-molded nylon-reinforced plastic to save weight. Two close-coupled catalytic converters minimize the time required following a cold start for the emission controls to reach full effectiveness. A dual exhaust system provides low restriction for excellent high-rpm power.

To achieve best-in-class smoothness and quietness, the MAZDA6 s's 3.7-liter V6's crankshaft has a full complement of counter-weights and a dual-mass damper. The aluminum cylinder-head covers are rubber isolated to minimize the amount of radiated valvetrain noise.

MANÚAL AND AÚTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS:

To maximize control and driver involvement, the MAZDA6 Sport is equipped with a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission capable of exploiting all the performance provided by the 2.5-liter MZR engine. MAZDA6 Sport customers who prefer an automatic transmission with a manual shift mode can opt for an electronically-controlled five-speed automatic with overdrive ratios for the top two gears.

A six-speed automatic with manual shift mode is standard in the MAZDA6 s.

One Zoom-Zoom feature inherited directly from the Mazda RX-8 sports car is called Active Adaptive Shift (AAS) control. AAS senses winding road conditions and provides a gear ratio (usually third) with optimum acceleration response exiting a corner. Decelerating into a bend, AAS quickens down-shift speed to provide maximum engine braking. During passing maneuvers following a merge into traffic, AAS holds lower gears longer to maximize acceleration.

PRECISION CRAFTMANSHIP A HIGH PRIORITY

Providing customers with a vehicle that's utterly dependable, perfectly designed and manufactured, and pleasing to a broad spectrum of customers is every company's dream. Achieving these lofty goals requires a deep commitment and the willingness to sweat innumerable details. Elevating the MAZDA6's quality so that it becomes the mid-size §egmènt's shining star was a monumental undertaking.

To ensure the highest level of quality, a fleet of MAZDA6s were driven for more than one million miles in early 2008, prior to the launch of the 2009 model. Today at AutoAlliance International (AAI), a sample of cars are driven on a track to test the §teering for accuracy, drift, and pull with a torque meter. In addition, every production MAZDA6 is run on a chassis dynamometer to check shift quality, electrical performance, and other functions.

When the car was launched in 2009, major revisions were made to the front suspension and damper valve in the power §teering gear to help improve straight-ahead tracking over a wide variety of road surfaces. To verify that wind and road noise are lower than a specific limit, an Aachen Head audio recorder is belted into the vehicles for inspections. While past inspection procedures primarily involved visual checks, today there are more hands-on and dynamic checks for the MAZDA6 than ever before.

Painting each car is a 34-step process that begins with electrically-charged primers and continues with sealers, base and color coats, clear coats, and a trip through a 340-degree bake oven.

To minimize wind noise while improving fuel economy, ambitious aerodynamic targets were set early in the MAZDA6's developmental process. A large panel under the powertrain, plus air deflectors near the front tires, and two covers in the rear floor area, smooth under-car air flow. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis helped eliminate noise-causing turbulence observed in the outside rear-view mirror mounting areas.

Wind-tunnel tests reported a low drag coefficient of 0.27, a 10-percent improvement over the original MAZDA6, and a number better than a Porsche 911. Very low lift at high speeds and in cross winds improves both directional stability and driver confidence.

PEACE OF MIND WITH ADVANCED SAFETY

Tremendous strides have been made in avoiding accidents with contemporary safety features such as ABS and DSC. To safeguard occupants when a collision cannot be avoided, the MAZDA6 has been engineered with energy absorbing and intrusion resistant zones in its body structure.

Double load paths along both sides at the front of the vehicle help absorb head-on collision energy. The integrity of the cabin area is bolstered by a substantial dash-support crossmember braced by two driveline tunnel reinforcements.

A special stopper device keeps the brake pedal from moving rearward and into the driver's survival space in the event the engine and transmission are dislocated during an accident. The fuel tank is mounted ahead of the rear suspension and surrounded by high-strength-steel side rails and two crossmembers capable of resisting crush and leakage in the event of a high-speed or offset rear impact.

A special triple-H structure consisting of roof rails, door pillars, sill structures, and floor crossmembers does an excellent job of resisting side-impact intrusion. Front doors have dual reinforcement beams and energy-absorbing material built into their trim panels.

All MAZDA6s are equipped with six air bags. The side-curtain bags cover all the front and rear door glass to minimize the chance of injury. Standard dual-chamber bags built into the front seats are optimized for both chest and hip protection. Front seat belts are engineered to automatically take up slack when the air bags are triggered and to pay out slightly to lessen chest loads as the occupant moves forward.

To guard against under-riding high-mounted SÚV bumpers, the MAZDA6's front bumper beam's height has been increased by 0.79 inch. In order to minimize fender-bender repair costs, the scope of damage caused by a low-velocity collision has been greatly reduced in the MAZDA6. Additionally, more substantial latches and a more robust rear seatback structure do a better job of resisting cabin intrusion resulting from trunk cargo shifting forward during a frontal impact.

EQÚIPMENT FEATURES AND OPTIONS

The MAZDA6 sport sedan is available as two models, both featuring an expanded range of trim levels, options, and equipment packages to serve the full breadth of the mid-size §egmènt. This is the most comprehensive nameplate Mazda has ever offered North American customers.

The MAZDA6 comes with standard features such as air conditioning with a pollen filter, power windows and auto door locks, a tilt and telescopic §teering wheel, height-adjustable driver's seat, 60/40 split-folding rear seats, Center IP display, mp3 compatible stereo, 16-inch wheels, power-assisted rack-and-pinion §teering, Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS), side air bags and curtains, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control (TCS).

The entry-level MAZDA6 i Sport also is equipped with remote key-less entry, cruise control and §teering wheel mounted controls. The MAZDA6 i Touring adds 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/55R17 tires, fog lights, 8-way power driver's seat, leather-trimmed §teering wheel and shift knob, in-dash 6-disc CD changer, trip computer and, new for 2011, Bluetooth® hands-free phone and audio operations. Building on the Touring model, the MAZDA6 i Touring Plus adds power moonroof, ground illumination, exterior mirrors w/turn signal lamps, electroluminescent gauges, anti-theft security system and Blind Spot Monitoring System, while the MAZDA6 i Grand Touring includes leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bose® audio system, welcome lighting system and a Multi Information Display fitted with a rearview camera for additional safety and peace of mind.

The MAZDA6 s models come equipped with the 3.7-liter V6 with 6-speed automatic transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) MAZDA6 s Touring Plus adds chrome dual exhaust finishers over the i Touring Plus model. MAZDA6 s Grand Touring offers 18-inch alloy wheels with P235/45R18 wheels and chrome dual exhaust finishers over the i Grand Touring model.

All 2011 Mazdas come with a roadside assistance program. With a call to a toll-free number, owners can access roadside assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year throughout the Únited States and Canada. In addition, a comprehensive three-year/36,000-mile warranty covers every part on the vehicle except those subject to normal wear. Also, all 2011 models receive a five-year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty and a five-year/unlimited-mileage corrosion warranty.

Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the Únited States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario; and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.

Source - Mazda
The 2003 Mazda 6 four-door sedan was the successor to the Mazda 626 which ran from 1979 until 2002. The 6 was introduced just one month after the 626 ended production in August of 2002 to speedily fill the sales gap. The Mazda 6 was designed to appeal to a slightly sportier, less utilitarian buyer. 'It is the first new product to represent what Mark Fields, president of Mazda Motor Corporation, calls 'Mazda's brand DNA.' This DNA rules that Mazda be a car that is styling, insightful and spirited.

Marketed in Japan as the Atenza, the Mazda6 is a mid-sided sedan and station wagon. Te first-generation models had the ‘feel' of European company vehicles, while the second generation models were made larger for family passenger comfort though still maintaining Mazda's exceptional handling abilities. The 6's platform was also used on Ford Fusion, the Mercury Milan, the Lincoln MKX and Zephyr, as well as Ford's SUV's and minivans. Though there has been some talk of the production of a coupe and cabriolet, as of yet, these haven't materialized. Since its inception in 2002, more than 1 million Mazda6 cars have been sold.

The Mazda 6 continued to be built around a uni-body structure and was also still built at the AutoAlliance plant in Flat Rock, Michigan and continues to be a front-drive car with the engine situated transversely in the nose. The 6 is still a very conventional car, but the suspension is all-new with a sophisticated double-wishbone system up front and a supple multilink system in the rear. The station wagon is 187.8 inches long and weighed 3,404 lbs. The Mazda6 5-door station wagon featured the Mazda logo, the single or double horizontal front grill bars and the aggressive air dam gave both the sedan and the wagons a sporty look. It also featured a room, well-appointed interior.

The engines were both all-aluminum units with the base powerplant being a 2.3-liter, DOHC, 16-valve four that due to the variable valve timing, rated at 150 hp. Optional, the DOHC, 24-valve, V6 displaces 3.0 liters and also using variable timing is rated at 219 hp. The four comes with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission, while both the V6's manual and automatic gearboxes feature five forward gears.

Though the Accord and Camry were aiming to be sportier, the Mazda 6 featured average handling dynamics, with steering performances from the power-assisted rack and pinion setup exemplary. The Mazda 6 has a turning circle of 38.7 feet, on the wider side for its class. The Mazda6 achieved 0-60mph in just 8.0 seconds.

The main downside seems to be in the rear seat room, though the legroom is generous at 36.5 inches, the shoulder room is only at 54.9 inches, 1.2 inches shorter than the Accord, and 1.8 inches shorter than the Camry. Both the Accord and Camry also feature more headroom, along with a more comfortable rake to the seatback.

By the end of its first year in production, the Mazda6 had ‘firmly established itself as a unique personality in a market segment often accused of being devoid of that trait'. Mazda pushed the envelope for 2004 by introduced two variations not available from the competition; a sport wagon and a five-door hatchback.

Available with both the four and V6 engines, the hatchback is much like the sedan. The sport wagon only comes with the V6, and only in the sportiest 'S' trim level. Both of these body styles increased the utility of the Mazda6, neither of these models lose the sedan's verve or charming character. The hatchback also makes the sedan obsolete, since it gives additional cargo space in a nearly identical package. The wagon is a step up by squeezing even more cargo room into a shape that considerably better looking than either of its smaller brothers.

The 2006 Mazda6 Sports Sedan has continued to set new standards for performance, styling and drivability in its class, and since its introduction in 2004, more than 70 awards for automotive excellence. In 2005, Mazda was the first to offer a six-speed Sport AT automatic transmission featuring manual shift mode in the midsize segment. This avant-garde technology is available on all Mazda A6's models. Additional new features this year included 17-inch alloy wheels standard on all Sports Sedans, 5-Door and Sport Wagon models, optional on base-trim models. Standard on all Sport and Grand Touring models was 8-way power driver's seat. Standard on Grand Touring was Bose® Audio/Moonroof package and optional on all Base and Sport models.

All 05 Mazda6 models came standard with power windows with driver-side one-touch down feature, power door locks and mirrors with keyless entry, along with front and rear overhead dual map lights that are tightly focused to minimize nighttime glare. To increase comfort and room, numerous storage areas were designed into the cabin which included overhead sunglass storage area, door pockets design to hold half-liter bottles, a center console with two cup holders covered by a damped lid and an expandable pocket on the driver's seat back.

On the inside, the Mazda6 is full of spacious comfort for five adults inside an inviting cabin with an attractive interior. The center armrest offers two compartments for storage, CDs and a second 12V outlet. It is easy to handle odd-sized cargo, simply fold down one or both portions of the 60/40 rear seat. The seatbacks are spring-loaded and fold down with a single pull of the release levers, which are conveniently located in the trunk. Inside there was also a three-spoke steering wheel which offered tilt and telescopic adjustments along with integrated cruise and supplemental audio controls.

The instrumentation inside the Mazda6 included an analog speedometer, tachometer, fuel and engine temperature gauges along with a digital readout for ambient outside air temperature. Standard on all cars was a loud, six-speaker integrated AM/FM/CD sound system, while available upgrades include an in-dash six-CD changer, a cassette deck, an MP3 player or a MiniDisc Player. Standard on Grand Touring models was a 200-watt Bose® sound system, it was also available as an option, comprising a six-disc in-dash CD changer, four 25-watt speakers, a tweeter mounted in the A-pillar of each door, an amplifier and a 100-watt subwoofer. Also included with this package was a power tilt/slide glass moonroof with interior sunshade.

For 2006 Mazda introduced a thrill-packed version of its midsized sedan in the form of the MazdaSpeed6. A turbocharged, all-wheel drive Mazda6, the MazdaSpeed6 was more than just a turbo version of the sedan. The MazdaSpeed6 is unique beyond its turbo in the fact that it features direct injection of fuel into its cylinders rather than mixing the fuel with air upstream of the combustion chambers as it conventional. The Speed also featured the all-wheel-drive system, the 2.3-liter, DOHC, 16-valve four-cylinder engine. The engine also works out to 272 hp which is channeled through a six-speed manual transmission before the advanced all-wheel-drive system electronically determines which wheels can use the torque first.