Guaranteed to thrill

Mazda has reaffirmed its reputation for building quality cars with a stunning recent release. The new Mazda6 truly has, as the company’s advertising suggests, the heart and soul of a sports car.

Mazda expects this new model – already an award-winner – to enjoy a substantial increase in sales over the superseded 626.

Mazda6 comes in sedan, wagon and hatch body styles, with four trim levels – Limited, Classic, Luxury and Luxury Sports. New from the ground up, the car’s longer and more athletic body will influence the look of all new-generation Mazda models.

A new all-alloy 2.3-litre, four-cylinder engine with sequential valve timing powers all models in the range. There’s a healthy 122kW on tap at 6,500rpm and 207Nm of torque at 4,000rpm. This equates to 31 per cent more power and 14 per cent more torque than the previous 626 four-cylinder engine offered. The new motor even produces slightly more power than the superseded 2.5-litre V6 once offered in the 626.

The Police Journal test-drove the Luxury sedan, which is stunning to look at, sit in and drive. Its wide track and flared wheel arches enhance the car’s stylish, sporty exterior. A sculptured bonnet, high boot lid, deep rear bumper, big alloy wheels and dual exhausts also enhance its appearance. But by far the most striking features on the outside are the head and tail light assemblies. Each features four small round lights. The rear is surrounded by chrome, while the front features projector-style lenses.

Step inside and this car will thrill the senses. Superbly appointed, it boasts all the safety, comfort and convenience features, normally found in a luxury car, as standard equipment. In addition to the leather upholstery, sunroof and the less obvious six airbags, is a fabulous Bose high-power premium sound system. It features an in-dash, six-disc CD-changer and seven high-fidelity Bose speakers plus a sub-woofer in the boot.

The driving position is as good as that in any sports tourer. An electrically operated driver’s seat allows for perfect positioning behind the small leather-bound steering wheel, which features audio and cruise control system buttons on its spokes. The sporty theme continues with large speedometer and tachometer gauges that feature chrome surrounds and bold numerals. A digital display in the centre of the dashboard provides time, audio, ventilation and trip computer system information. Three large circular air vents provide infinite adjustment of ventilated air.

A gated-style gear selector on the automatic transmission further enhances the driving experience. It features a Tiptronic-style manual mode for fast and precise gear selection. In the D position, the transmission has a smooth shift quality with many changes going unnoticed. In its manual mode, the transmission is a delight to use and provides more spirited performance. This can be attributed to its smooth, quick-shifting quality and the fact that the zippy 2.3-litre engine will spin freely all the way to red line.

On road performance is very good. The car offers a smooth and quiet ride when driven sedately. Pushed hard, it performs more like a sports car, and offers quick acceleration with 0-100km/h achieved in around 8.9 seconds. Steering and suspension are refined and ensure fast and flat cornering. One can detect a throaty note from the dual exhausts, especially at higher revs.

Standard features on the entry Limited model include:

• ABS anti-lock brakes.
• Dual airbags.
• Air conditioning.
• CD audio system.
• Remote locking with deadlock function.
• Power windows and mirrors.
• Outside temperature gauge.

Classic models also feature:

• Six-disc CD.
• Cruise control.
• 16-inch alloy wheels.
• Auto climate control.
• Trip computer.

In addition Luxury models have:

• Leather trim.
• Power sunroof.
• Front, seat-mounted and side-curtain airbags.
• Bose audio system.
• 17-inch alloy wheels.

In addition to these features, the Luxury Sports Hatch boasts an aggressive body kit with large rear spoiler, side skirts and driving lights.

In light of the quality and standard equipment, prices are reasonable. They range from $28,270 (manual Limited Sedan) to $43,250 (Luxury Sports Hatch). The automatic Luxury Sedan tested sells for $40,270. Some might think this expensive but, in reality, it is good enough to compete with a number of luxury Japanese and European cars that cost far more.

Perhaps the only disappointment is the requirement for premium unleaded fuel, but on the test drive, consumption ended up at an impressive 9.8 litres/100km.