New 6 gets DSC, a discount but no turbos

Mazda's second-generation Mazda6 medium car was officially launched to the Australian market this week.

Priced from $29,740, the 6 will be offered in sedan, hatch and wagon body styles across four trim grades. And though five-speed automatic and six-speed manual transmissions will be offered, just a single engine will be available -- both the diesel variant and turbocharged petrol engine (ie: the all-wheel-drive 6 MPS performance model) have been dropped.

The new 6 is powered by a revised 2.5-litre version of Mazda's MZR four-cylinder petrol engine that at 125kW and 226Nm is up 3kW and 19Nm on the outgoing model.

Mazda says the car is 0.9sec quicker to 100km/h (8.0 v 8.9sec) while fuel consumption has been trimmed from 8.8L/100km for the manual sedan to 8.4L/100km.

Fuel consumption of the thirstiest variant -- the auto wagon -- is unchanged at 8.9L/100km while the top-seller, the Classic auto hatch, has improved just 0.1L/100km from 8.9 to 8.8L/100km.

Mazda claims the car makes "significant advances in refinement and quality without sacrificing its unrivalled reputation as a practical driver's car". Though rich with spin, for once the marketing spiel is not far from the mark. Both during the car's international launch (more here) and this week's local first drive, the new 6 impressed.

Though cheaper than the outgoing model -- at entry-level spec at least ($29,740 versus $29,990) -- the new 6 is both larger and better equipped than the car it replaces. For example all Australian model 6s feature stability control, a full-spec ABS braking system and six airbags as standard equipment.

Mazda is "confident" the car will earn a five-star rating when it is crash tested by Euro NCAP.

The 6 Sedan will be offered in Limited, Classic and Luxury model grades, with the sole wagon model offered as an auto-only at Classic level. The top-selling body style, the Hatch, is offered in Classic, Luxury and the range-topping Luxury Sports variants. For pricing and availability of the auto/man variants see below.

In terms of specification, the Limited sedan gets 16-inch steel wheels but includes air-conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry and an MP3-compatible four-speaker audio system.

At Classic level, the head office bean counters have let loose with 17-inch alloys, fog lamps, dual-zone climate control, trip computer and six-disc, six-speaker audio system with steering wheel-mounted controls all standard.

The Luxury sedan and hatch add Xenon headlights, sunroof, leather trim, paddle-shifters for the auto transmission, upgraded trim and power driver and front passenger seats. The audio system is tweaked by BOSE at this level.

Finally, the range-topping Luxury Sports hatch gets 18-inch alloys, body kit with revised front and rear valances and a rear spoiler, plus boy-racer style alloy pedals and footrest.

But it's not all good news. Aussies who fancy the new 6 with a particularly frugal or fast powertrain will have to wait… At best!

While the new generation 6 has been launched in Europe with the carryover 2.0-litre turbodiesel powerplant, Mazda Australia has taken the decision to discontinue the model -- for the time being.

Both Mazda Vice President and product boss Bob Graziano (present for the Aussie unveil) and Mazda Australia chief, Doug Dickson, were coy on the future for the diesel Down Under. We can reveal, however, that the model will return in 2009 sporting a new and improved 2.2-litre turbodiesel that will be coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain will likely also be offered in the CX-7 SUV.

Contrary to what you might have read elsewhere, this is not the PSA/Ford engine as used in Mondeo, but rather a Mazda-developed common rail powerplant.

Prospects are bleak for the future of the six-speed manual 190kW MPS turbo petrol 6, however. With development of a replacement model dependant on yet-to-coalesce US market volume, there is little likelihood we will see a new all-wheel-drive hottie any time soon.

Nonetheless, with the diesel and MPS variants not accounting for a large percentage of local sales, Mazda is still upbeat on the sales prospects of the new 6.

Mazda expects to sell in excess of 13,000 Mazda6s in the next 12 months with the hatch models accounting for over half of sales.

Look out for our local first drive impression of the second-generation Mazda6 soon.

Mazda6 Range and Pricing
SEDAN
Mazda6 Limited six-speed manual -- $29,740
Mazda6 Limited five-speed auto -- $31,800
Mazda6 Classic six-speed manual -- $33,880
Mazda6 Classic five-speed auto -- $35,940
Mazda6 Luxury five-speed auto -- $43,610

HATCH
Mazda6 Classic six-speed manual -- $34,910
Mazda6 Classic five-speed auto -- $36,970
Mazda6 Luxury five-speed auto -- $44,640
Mazda6 Luxury Sports six-speed manual -- $44,650
Mazda6 Luxury Sports five-speed auto -- $46,910

WAGON
Mazda6 Classic five-speed auto -- $37,520

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