Mazda6 lifts prices, lowers costs

Mazda has raised prices of its upgraded Mazda6, just eight months after slashing the prices of the mid-sizer. The company was in no position to hold the pricing for the '6' any longer, according to local MD, Doug Dickson, and the price increases are a natural consequence of changing currency exchange rates and the higher cost of building a car now.

"Fluctuating exchange rates and the rising cost of raw materials has been putting significant pressure on new car prices for some time now," Dickson says.

Price movements for the revised model have escalated $500 (now $28,490) at entry level, which contrasts nicely with the $1750 reduction in the price of that same variant, the Mazda6 Limited manual sedan, in July of last year (more here). The price of the range-topping Mazda6 Diesel Sports hatch (more here) has not changed with the commencement of the new model year, still $43,890.

For the extra money you pay for most variants, as Mazda points out, you do get a significantly upgraded specification and lower running costs with the 2009 model.

Now re-engineered to run on 91 RON petrol, the 2.5-litre engine powering the petrol variants of the Mazda6 continues to develop 125kW of power at 6000rpm and 226Nm of torque from 4000rpm. Fuel consumption too (ranging from 8.4 to 8.9L/100km depending on variant and specification) is unaltered from the superseded models running on a recommended diet of 95 RON premium-grade petrol.

"The transition to 91 RON petrol alone spells significant savings for owners," says Dickson. "It can cut around 10 per cent from the annual costs of running a car. Depending on how far you drive each year, that can add up to hundreds of dollars."

Dickson reckons that the added features in the upgraded Mazda6 -- even allowing for the price increases, which range from $500 to $1000 -- add up to $2000 worth of value to the car, depending on specification.

Premium-grade variants (Luxury, Luxury Sport and Diesel Sport) gain bi-xenon headlights with AFS (Adaptive Front Lighting System), an electro-chromatic rear-view mirror and eight-sensor acoustic parking system operating at front and rear. Mazda claims that the inclusion of the powerful swivelling headlights as standard is a first for any mid-size car selling below the $60,000 threshold.

Rain-sensing wipers and auto-on/off headlights are now fitted as standard to the Mazda6 Classic, Luxury, Luxury Sport petrol and all diesel models.

"We firmly believe the new Mazda6 continues to offer class-leading value," says Dickson. "In addition, the arrival of first-in-class technology like AFS, and an even longer equipment list, makes the stylish new Mazda6 even more attractive to Australians."