The new Mazda 6 is the second of Mazda's recently released replacement vehicles, following in the tracks of the Mazda 2.

As expected, the new Mazda 6 makes advances in refinement and quality without sacrificing its reputation as a practical car.

The second-generation Mazda 6 has grown in all tangible physical and performance measures, and is packed with more equipment than the model it replaces.

Yet the cost of entry to the Mazda 6 range has actually dropped $250 to $29,740 for the Limited sedan with six-speed manual transmission.

Mazda will offer three body styles in Australia in a combination of four model grades:
Mazda 6 sedan - Limited, Classic, Luxury
Mazda 6 hatch - Classic, Luxury, Luxury Sports
Mazda 6 wagon - Classic

All models are longer, wider, taller and ride on a longer wheelbase which improves the Mazda 6's dynamic abilities. On the inside, the new Mazda 6 is roomier and more inviting.

All models feature the MZR 2.5-litre, four-cylinder S-VT engine (requires premium unleaded petrol) which produces 125 kW @ 6,000 rpm and 226 Nm @ 4,000rpm, up 3 kW and 19 Nm on the outgoing engine. Fuel consumption of 8.4 l/100km (combined cycle) for the sedan (manual) is 4.5 percent less than the outgoing model.

A six-speed manual transmission is available on Limited sedan, Classic sedan and hatch and Luxury Sports hatch. A five-speed automatic is available on Limited sedan, Classic sedan, hatch and wagon, Luxury sedan and hatch and Luxury Sports hatch.

Luxury sedan and hatch and Luxury Sports hatch automatic models also feature steering wheel mounted paddle shift control.

All Mazda 6 models come with driver and passenger front SRS airbags, side and curtain SRS airbags, active front head restraints, collapsible pedals and front seatbelt pretensioners.

Active safety features include Dynamic Stability Control, a Traction Control System and antilock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Emergency Brake Assist are standard on all models.

Mazda CF-Net revolutionises the Human-Machine Interface by combining a lot of secondary controls into the one simple-to-use steering wheel-mounted interface.

i>* fuel consumption of Mazda 6 Limited sedan with six-speed manual transmission

A sports body kit with front and rear aero bumpers, rear spoiler, sports grille, and eye-catching 18 inch alloy wheels enhance the sporty appeal of the Luxury Sports hatch.

Mazda 6 Available in Four Flavours

The second-generation Mazda 6 will be offered in four equipment grades: Limited, Classic, Luxury and Luxury Sports.

The Limited sedan rides on 16 inch tyres and boasts body-coloured power door mirrors, air-conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, CD/MP3 audio system with four speakers and an auxiliary jack, front and rear power windows.

The Classic is available in all body styles and builds on Limited's equipment levels with 17 inch alloy wheels, fog lamps, dual-zone climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, lumbar adjustment in the front seats, trip computer, 6-disc in-dash CD player with six speakers and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

The Luxury sedan and hatch add leather trim (see note at bottom of story), Xenon headlamps, power sunroof, blackout instrument cluster, leather-wrapped gear knob, paddle shift gear control, electric front seats - 8-way power with 3-position memory on the driver's seat and 4-way on the passenger's - and a Bose® 240 watt sound system.

The top of the range Luxury Sports hatch boasts 18 inch alloy wheels, a sports body kit and rear spoiler, and aluminium pedals and footrest.

The Mazda 6 Luxury Sports hatch also includes a full leather interior (see note at bottom of story), electric sunroof, electrically-adjustable front seats, a premium Bose® sound system, dual-zone climate control and Xenon headlamps. It also gets a sports body kit - 18 inch alloy wheels, aero bumper, side skirts and rear spoiler - to visually position it at the pinnacle of the new Mazda 6 range.

Sales

Mazda expects the second-generation to build on the sales achieved by the first-generation model, which was launched in Australia in September 2002.

To date Mazda has sold over 1.3 million first-generation Mazda 6/Atenza models worldwide.

Mazda expects to sell 1,000 Mazda 6s per month. Of this, the sedan is expected to account for 40 per cent, the hatch for 50 per cent and the wagon 10 per cent.

Mazda expects that of those sales, 70 per cent will be automatic models initially, settling to 80 per cent over the life of the car.

Pricing

The new Mazda 6 will compete against the Skoda Octavia (in both the regular and sporty editions), the Kia Magentis, the Holden Epica, the Ford Mondeo (which, like the Skoda Octavia, is available with a diesel engine) and the soon to disappear Mitsubishi 380. Little wonder that Mazda has amended the pricing structure for the new Mazda 6!