Mazda6 MPS 2006 Review
For those who like the idea of an accomplished performance-oriented motor car but don't want to shout about it the Mazda6 MPS could be the right weaponRRP: $48,600
Price as tested: $54,600
Distance covered: 473km
Road Tester: David Dowsey
Date tested: November 2005
Only subtle reworking of the front and rear ends -- and prominent twin exhausts -- give any hint this unassuming sedan has the potential to rip the road right up from underneath you.
The Mazda6 is already one of the most competent cars in its class but the MPS (Mazda Performance Series) upgrades turn this medium-sized runabout into a very serious car indeed.
The MPS's turbo-charged 2.3-litre engine mates an impressive 190kW and 380Nm of twist with a grippy all-wheel drive system giving the car a Jekyll and Hyde persona -- shopping cart and mum's taxi during the week and road burning performance machine on weekends.
Suspension settings are tuned for sporty handling while maintaining a fairly comfortable ride for daily commuting. Mazda boffins have tweaked the chassis and claim the updated body to be 50 percent more rigid which contributes to the fine handling and balance.
Getting the right balance in a car of this type is tricky though and naturally the MPS doesn't reach the heights of outright performance machine or luxury cruiser at either end of the spectrum -- but that's just the point, it's a dual purpose vehicle.
We had the leather pack edition -- a six grand upgrade -- and for the money it doesn't get much better. Superb seats, thoughtful ergonomics -- apart from the gear lever which is a bit of a stretch -- plenty of clever storage, a fantastic sound system and handy steering wheel controls for audio and cruise control make it a joy to drive.
Passenger accommodation is generous and the boot cavernous for a car of its size. No problems taking the family to the beach on school holidays here.
At times the ride can be a little on the hard side for lobbing around town and the clutch is particularly heavy in stop-start traffic but all is forgiven when you stretch the car's legs on a nice twisty bit of the black stuff. It's an excellent handling machine -- and with that lovely, smooth, free-revving engine it's fast, too -- but the best bit is you won't be challenged to a drag at every set of traffic lights.
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