With the 2012 Moscow Motor Show (August 31 to September 9 for the public) just around the corner, Mazda has released a full set of photos and all sorts of details on its all-new 2014 Mazda6 mid-size model, which in some parts of the world including Europe, will also be offered as a station wagon.
The Mazda6 is the (more mundane looking) production version of the aggressive Takeri Concept from 2011 and it encompasses the firm’s new “KODO – Soul of Motion” design language as well as a full range of SKYACTIV technologies.
“We have created a design in which the wild and dynamic expressions of motion artistically realise a powerful presence,” says chief designer Akira Tamatani. “Simply looking at the car heightens one’s expectations about the driving experience even before actually riding in it.”
These latest photos provide us with a first glimpse of the interior which is less glamorous in styling than the exterior. Mazda says it has used soft materials on areas frequently touched by occupants, such as the door trims and the upper part of the dashboard panel and has paid special attention to details.
The mid-sized sedan model rides on a 2,830mm (111.4 inches) long wheelbase that is 105mm (4.1 inches) longer than previous ‘6’. On the outside, the saloon measures 4,865mm (191.6 inches) long, 1,840mm (72.4 inches) wide and 1,450mm (57.1 inches) tall.
Compared to the previous model, the front wheel has been moved forward by 100mm in relation to the A-pillar resulting in reduced front overhang, while the rear deck is also shorter.
According to Mazda, the new 6 offers 20mm (0.8 inches) more shoulder room for the front passengers. At the back, there is 43mm (1.7 inches) greater knee clearance, 37mm more legroom (1.45 inches), while the length of the rear seat cushion has increased by 20mm (0.8 inches) and the seat back height by 33mm (1.3 inches). Furthermore, the rear centre arm rest has been enlarged by 60mm (2.6 inches).
The trunk, which has a 32mm wider opening than on the previous model for easier loading, has a cargo capacity of 483 liters.
According to Mazda, the new SKYACTIV-Body structure makes wider use of ultra-high tensile steel reducing weight, while at the same time improving torsional rigidity by about 30 percent
The car employs MacPherson struts up front and a rear multi-link suspension while there’s also a new column-type electric power assistance. The Japanese automaker claims that the new Mazda6 will be a driver’s car.
“In developing the third-generation Mazda6, we pursued Mazda’s intrinsic core value: ‘driving pleasure’,” says Hiroshi Kajiyama, the new Mazda6 programme manager.
“We wanted to create a car that reacts and behaves exactly as you expect it to. Part of this involved carefully crafting those parts of the car which you often touch to feel as though they are an extension of your own body.”
At least in Russia, the 2014 Mazda6 will launch with an initial choice of two new four-cylinder gasoline engines, the SKYACTIVE-G 2.0-liter that generates 148hp (150PS) at 6,000rpm and 210Nm (155 lb-ft) at 4,000rpm and the SKYACTIVE-G 2.5-liter delivering 189hp (192PS) at 5,700rpm and 256Nm (189 lb-ft) at 3,250rpm.
Both powerplants will be offered with 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmissions and a standard i-stop idling stop system.
The 2.5-liter unit will also be the first Mazda engine to employ the brand’s new i-ELOOP brake energy regeneration system that begins charging a capacitor the moment the driver takes his foot off the accelerator. The electricity stored is used to power electric components throughout the car instead of the engine thus resulting in further improvements in fuel economy.
The European specification version of the Mazda6 sedan as well as the Station Wagon model will premiere at the Paris Motor Show in late September, with more details about the powertrain choices that will include a diesel engine to be announced later.
Mazda’s Honda Accord and Ford Fusion / Mondeo rival will be introduced to global markets starting in late 2012.
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