HISTORY OF THE MAZDA 6 (Part VII): First generation (2002–2008). The model lineup consists of a four-door sedan, a five-door hatchback and a five-door estate, marketed in North America as the Sport Sedan, 5-Door and Sport Wagon, respectively. In Australia, the lineup starts with Limited, available only as a saloon. Then comes the Classic, available in saloon, hatch or estate. The Luxury model is next available in saloon and hatch versions. Topping the range is the Luxury Sports model, available only as a hatch. In New Zealand the lineup consisted of 2.0L GLX (saloon only), 2.3L GSX (saloon, hatch, and estate), and the range-topping 2.3L Limited (saloon and hatch). When it arrived in North America, it was first sold as a 2003 model in the United States and as a 2004 model in Canada. In Europe, the luxury sports model was available as a 220 hp (160 kW) direct injection turbodiesel (DITD) estate up until 2007. As of 2008, the European Mazda catalog lists only the Sport version of the 246 hp (183 kW) turbodiesel estate, while the Luxury Sport version has been dropped. Drivetrain combinations include the Mazda MZR engine in configurations of 1.8 L (L8-DE), 2.0 L (LF-VE) and 2.3 L (L3-VE), initially with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission (with sequential-automatic option, dubbed the Four-Speed Sport AT). In the US domestic market a 3.0 L Duratec 30 V6 engine is also available with a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic (with sequential-automatic option, dubbed the 5-Speed Sport AT). European and Australian versions also feature a four-cylinder turbodiesel that comes with a six-speed manual transmission and produces significantly more torque than the V6, with much improved fuel economy. In North America, the 5-speed automatic optional on the V6 models is replaced by an Aisin 6-speed automatic for 2005 model year. The four-cylinder model receives a Jatco five-speed automatic in the following year. Power is directed to the front wheels in most markets, although full-time all-wheel-drive models are available in Japan, Europe and Australia. Not all configurations are available in all areas - for example, the Mazda 6 as released in Australia is available in 2.3L four-cylinder guise only, while the 626 which it replaced was available with a choice of four- or six-cylinder engines. The MZI V6 engine was only fitted to vehicles manufactured at Flat Rock, Michigan and destined for the US and Canadian domestic markets. Just as before the Mazda 626 was renamed to Mazda6 Atenza, Ford continues to use the Mazdas G-series platform for the basis of a number of its CD3 platform coded vehicles, including the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ, Lincoln MKX, and a range of SUVs and minivans. Ford also plans to offer a hybrid powertrain on the platform. The official Mazda chassis codes are GG (saloon/hatch) and GY (estate) series - following the 626/Capella in its GF/GW series. Mazdas Hofu plants in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan produce the Mazda6 for international markets from February 2002 to August 2007. In North America, Mazda 6 production is handled at the AutoAlliance International plant which is a joint venture between Ford and Mazda. The first Mazda 6 rolled off this Flat Rock, Michigan assembly line on October 1, 2002, one month after 626 production ended. There are also satellite plants building Mazda 6 models in China and Thailand for their respective local markets. In September 2005, all Australian Mazda 6s received a facelift which included a feature upgrade, 5-speed auto and 6-speed manual transmissions, standard 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels and minor bodywork upgrades. In China, the Mazda6 is used as the base for the FAW Benteng, also known as Besturn or Hongqi C301, manufactured by the First Automobile Works in Jilin Province. The 2006 Mazdaspeed Atenza (known as Mazdaspeed6 in North America and Mazda 6 MPS in Europe, South Africa and Australia) is a high-performance version of the Mazda 6. Its mission statement was written with the help of Peter Birtwhistle, chief of Mazdas advanced design studio in Germany at the time. It was initially unveiled as a concept at the 2002 Paris show. It features a turbocharged version of the 2.3 L MZR I4 which produces 272 PS (200 kW) (European version is detuned to 260 PS (191 kW); the North American version, at 274 hp (204 kW), revised to 270 hp (200 kW) for 2007). All models have 280 lb·ft (380 N·m) of torque. This 2.3 L DISI turbocharged engine features direct fuel injection and conforms to the new Euro 5 emissions standards. It has a revised front fascia with a raised hood, a 6-speed manual transmission, and all-wheel drive. The all-wheel-drive system uses Mazdas Active Torque Split computer-based control, which routes up to 50% of the power to the rear wheels depending on driving conditions. Originally scheduled to be launched in June 2005, the Mazdaspeed Atenza was delayed until November. In North America, the Mazdaspeed6 comes in two trim levels; the Sport trim with cloth interior and standard key entry and ignition; and the Grand Touring trim with leather interior, keyless entry/ignition, and an optional DVD navigation. Automatic climate control is standard, as is a 200 W Bose stereo system featuring seven speakers and a 6-inch subwoofer in addition to an in-dash six-disc CD changer. A sunroof with moonroof feature is optional on the Grand Touring trim. Car and Driver magazine has achieved a 0-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds for this vehicle. Awards The Mazda6 was second place in the 2003 European Car of the Year awards and made Car and Driver magazines Ten Best list for 2003. The Sport Wagon won the Canadian Car of the Year Best New Station Wagon award, while the Sport sedan won the Canadian Car of the Year Best New Family Car award for 2005. The Atenza Wagon also won What Car?s Best Estate award in 2004. Also the Mazda6 won the 2003 Semperit Irish Car of the Year. The Mazda6 won the Best Mid-size Car (over $28,000) title in Australias Best Cars in 2002 and 2003. It came second in 2004, behind the Subaru Legacy, and fifth in 2005 (the Honda Accord Euro was first in 2005). Wheels magazine also awarded the Mazda6 winner of its Active Safety Program in July 2005. In December 2007 in Australia the Mazda6 won the Carsales Peoples Choice award for its class. The Mazda6 also won Best Family Sedan in MotorWeeks 2009 Drivers Choice Awards. The Mazda 6 was praised for its edgy handsome design, communicative steering and tight suspension. However, as it was designed as a world car in order to fit the needs of Europe and Japan, it was smaller than its North American contemporaries in the midsize segment, being criticized for its reduced passenger space. Its acceleration, particularly the V6 engine models, lagged behind that of its rivals as well. [5] The hatchbacks liftback/notchback styling was considered a clever design to disguise it as a four-door saloon, as North Americans generally considered trunks more elegant than hatches. The estate had an early demise, but the hatchback was somewhat successful in Canada, especially in Québec, though it would not have a 2009 refresh, as both models were unpopular in the US. * Information and images courtesy of Wikipedia.
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 05:59:44 +0000
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