2013 Mazda 6 Wagon
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Design - As Mazda's next flagship, the all-new Mazda 6 had to be even better than it's predecessor - a model that already achieved top ratings from European customers as well as the media. With striking looks and harmonious forms and textures alongside the uniqueness that precludes the Mazda badge.
It all comes down to relationships. This is the spirit of the all-new Mazda 6, a car built to be an extension of its driver and in harmony with the road. A car that begs to be driven from the very first time one lays eyes on it.
Mazda 6 Wagon
Mazda is reaching for greater heights in a flagship for a new generation and a new level of driving pleasure. With the distinct design, intuitive functionality and exceptional responsiveness that are essential elements of every Mazda. But also blending a dynamic, emotional appeal with the composure mandatory for Mazda's top model. This, of course, posed challenges for designers and engineers as they sought to balance potentially conflicting attributes like form and function, performance and efficiency, comfort and practicality, uniqueness and mass appeal. And in the all-important reputation-making CDsegment, no less.
Always ready to fulfil the driver's every wish, the SKYACTIV powertrains provide unrivalled linearity and responsiveness. They're a perfect match for the new Mazda 6's equally precise handling, founded on agile yet stable steering and suspension feedback that puts the driver in absolute control. This model marks the latest evolution of Sustainable Zoom-Zoom, Mazda's long-term vision to develop technology for exceptionally safe and environmentally friendly vehicles that also provide the greatest possible driving pleasure. To deliver top-class fuel economy, the all-new Mazda 6 combines the lightweight design common to all SKYACTIV components with uniquely innovative engines and transmissions and Mazda's unique i-ELOOP brake energy regeneration system.
It's remarkably safe thanks to the SKYACTIV-Body, whose highly rigid structure absorbs impact energy and channels it away from the cabin for segment-leading crash protection. Add in the enviable range of active safety technology, and you have an environment where the driver can concentrate on the driving experience while passengers relax and enjoy the ride.
And they'll be comfortable, too. Despite its compact look, the rear-leaning cabin - an integral part of the uniquely bold KODO design - exudes strength and vitality - offering a spacious interior with a refreshingly ergonomic layout in which controls and features are cleverly positioned for the utmost in convenience and flexibility.
In short, the all-new Mazda 6 is a stunningly fashioned car that's both safe and efficient, uniting a smooth, refined drive with precise, linear handling to a degree that most CDsegment models in Europe can only dream of. And it's here, today.
DESIGN - Moving People
As Mazda's next flagship, the all-new Mazda 6 had to be even better than it's predecessor - a model that already achieved top ratings from European customers as well as the media. With striking looks and harmonious forms and textures alongside the uniqueness that precludes the Mazda badge.
At the same time, it needed to attract the broad customer appeal obligatory for CD-segment sedans and wagons in Europe. Mazda designers undertook this complex challenge, working closely with company engineers to make their visions both feasible and highly functional. The result is a new Mazda 6 that will delight customers with its combination of superior build quality and functional, practical beauty that should continue to please the senses well into the future. One look at the all-new Mazda 6 should eradicate any doubts about the skills of Mazda's designers, long known for their unique ability to express motion when shaping vehicles. Their latest evolution is called "KODO - Soul of Motion", a design theme inspired by the movements of animals in the wild - and the look for the new generation of Mazdas. Mazda believes it has captured KODO's purest essence in the all-new Mazda 6, the production model born of the Mazda Takeri concept first showcased at the Tokyo Motor Show in late 2011. Sedan or wagon, it combines a muscular anatomy and vitality with a functional allure that is certain to gain broad market appreciation - and a level of quality that sets it apart.
"The all-new Mazda 6 has a robust framework and a low, wide stance that expresses strength and stability, creating an impression of extraordinary vitality without detracting from the universal aesthetic appeal and beautiful form it displays as a CD car," says Akira Tamatani, the chief designer. "We have created a design in which the wild and dynamic expressions of motion artistically realize a powerful presence. Simply looking at the car heightens one's expectations about the driving experience even before actually riding in it." - Akira Tamatani, Chief Designer Mazda 6
Exterior: Shapes that enrich the senses
This is a big achievement in asegment that is so competitive in Europe, representing 6.2 % of the European passenger car market. When designing the Mazda 6, the aim was to come up with a body that clearly sets the vehicle apart from conventional thinking, as unveiled on the Takeri and Shinari concepts, while still furnishing the vehicle with unmistakable dignity and purpose.
The prominent fenders and compactlooking cabin set towards the rear highlight the large-diameter 19-inch aluminium wheels, which only add to the car's composed exterior. The five sets of contoured spokes underline the sense of dynamism and light, effortless motion. And they don't just look good, either. Engineers worked with designers to improve stiffness and thus resistance to deformation. The result is superior handling coupled with reduced noise, vibration and harshness.
In what is undoubtedly some of their best work yet, Mazda's world-class design team came up with distinctive body
The prominent fenders and compactlooking cabin set towards the rear highlight the large-diameter 19-inch aluminium wheels, which only add to the car's composed exterior. The five sets of contoured spokes underline the sense of dynamism and light, effortless motion. And they don't just look good, either. Engineers worked with designers to improve stiffness and thus resistance to deformation. The result is superior handling coupled with reduced noise, vibration and harshness. In what is undoubtedly some of their best work yet, Mazda's world-class design team came up with distinctive bodylines whose impressions vary - a sence of speed here, more relaxed there - depending on how the light falls. In doing so, they focused on the interplay between light and shadow, designing a car that one never tires of looking at.
The family face clearly says "Mazda", with distinctive elements harmoniously blended into the package. Take the signature wings, for example, a KODO design trademark spanning from headlamp to headlamp through the bottom of the imposing upper grille. Together with the glinting eyes, the front-end expresses a dignified sense of purpose.
The all-new Mazda 6 is the company's first production model to incorporate LEDs and a new halo ring light into the headlamps. The ring, which surrounds each headlight, accentuates the forwardlooking stance and mature fearlessness, while the LEDs visually extend the signature wings outwards, adding to the sense of speed.
Truly functional design
The wings flow into distinctive character lines on the sides of the car, as if it were ready to leap off the ground and rocket forward. The coupé-like cabin on the sedan slides over the C-pillar into the short, powerful rear deck, stressing the car's firm footing. The wagon, meanwhile, adds practical utility to this lean, sporty stance. In either case, the driver can anticipate an instantaneous response to his or her input.
Indeed, one recurring characteristic of the all-new Mazda 6 is the harmony of its various design features. The signature rear tail lamps, for example, emulate the headlamps, using a line of light to "stretch" the rear chrome moulding outwards via the main tail light to the character lines on the side of the car. Like the headlamps, they highlight the elegant strength of the all-new Mazda 6.
Interior: Stunning simplicity
Open the door of the Mazda 6, and this exciting yet dignified consistency continues on the inside. Interior designers paid meticulous attention to detail, enhancing shapes and textures as well as appearances. What they came up with is a harmonious, uncluttered space with an immediately perceptible level of genuine quality and tasteful coordination fitting for a flagship: An interior as stunning as it is sensible.
For example, the various controls received the same finishing. This produces a clean, consistent look throughout the allnew Mazda 6 while at the same time making knobs and switches easier to locate visually and therefore operate. Parts like the door handles were given a handpolished aluminium look, with soft materials used for elements that occupants touch the most, such as the steering wheel and armrest. The use of hard plastics was kept to a minimum, with a high-quality finish that underscores the refinement of the Mazda 6 interior while offering practical benefits to driver and passenger alike.
Inspiringly clean lines
Like the exterior, the two main lines (and key design elements) of the interior express motion and speed. The top one curves across the crest of the instrument panel, flowing through the door trim toward the rear seats. A second, stronger line runs horizontally halfway down the instrument panel. Together, they impart a sense of stability and reliability, thus reflecting two of the Mazda 6's traditional strengths. And as on the body, interior surfaces are contoured to create rich contrasts between light and shadows. This just adds to the cabin's sophisticated sportiness.
Unsurprisingly, the driver's side is forward focused and driver oriented, maximizing Jinba Ittai, Mazda's unique feeling of oneness with the car.
Switches and controls are positioned for optimum usability, and the symmetrical gauges (with clean white lighting replacing the red used in the current model as well as LED backlighting) inspire enthusiasm as soon as one gets behind the wheel. But despite from the proximity of the cockpit, the front passenger environment engenders peace of mind, imparting a sense of space and well-being.
Elegant, sporty comfort
The seats, especially at the front, have a simple, contoured shape with a wraparound sports car feel providing vertical, longitudinal or lateral support when it's which subtly shows off the rich textures and details. Black woven fabric featuring a silky yet solid feel is also available.
Tastefully coordinated and expertly crafted, Mazda's interior designers achieved an instantly recognisable level of highquality and harmonious elegance befitting the sporty yet distinguished exterior. Inside or out, it's a style destined to uphold its appeal for years to come.
Colours
Soul Red Metallic, Blue Reflex Mica, Meteor Grey Mica and Jet Black Mica: These are the four new body colours available for the all-new Mazda 6. They were specially developed to provide stronger contrasts than ever, using tiny flakes of reflective pigment to produce greater differences in brightness between highlights and shaded areas. This "hardens" the sculpted shapes of the all-new Mazda 6, enhancing its strengths by adding to the sharpness and solidity of the vehicle's athletic forms - and the beauty of KODO. Four additional colours - Stormy Blue Mica, Aluminium Metallic, Snowflake White Pearl and Solid Arctic White - are also available.
Soul Red Metallic
It's perhaps the world's most emotionally appealing red. Soul Red Metallic is about pure energy, combining highlights, shade and depth in ways that emphasise the dynamic body shapes of the Mazda 6 and its sportiness.
How? Through the use of two different base colour coats with different functions. Depending on the angle of view, there is a significant change in the hue between illuminated and shaded areas. This unique colour also responds exquisitely to more subtle intermediate levels of light, heightening the impact of the Mazda 6's refined appearance.
Normally, a body is painted in two different coats: a colour and a clear coat. With only one coloured coat, however, there is always a trade-off between vividness and a colour's contrast and depth. To make Soul Red Metallic, Mazda used two base colour coats under the clear coat, each with different functions. The lower base coat, with exceptionally bright aluminium flakes, serves as a reflective layer. These flakes are arranged as horizontally as possible to reflect strong light. The upper base coat, meanwhile, is a semi-translucent layer with high-chroma (meaning very intense) red pigment. Light shines through the upper base coat, arriving at the lower coat with a red tint, where the aluminium flakes reflect the light back through the high-chroma red layer.
As a result, strongly illuminated areas of the Mazda 6 appear in a deep, intensive red that, like the sun, appear to radiate from within. Shaded areas, in contrast, appear blackish. This wide contrast range, with unprecedented levels of chroma or vividness along with extraordinary depth, is what makes Soul Red Metallic such a breakthrough.
The fully robotic system used to apply the paint is specially programmed for Soul Red Metallic to ensure the utmost in precision and quality and a consistent coat over the entire car. The innovative combination of materials in the paint and its meticulous application are what enable Mazda to achieve such an emotionally appealing result. And the Soul Red Metallic technology is even compatible with Mazda's environmentally-friendly Three Layer Wet Paint System. While being considerate to the environment, this exclusive paint program called "TAKUMINURI" enables vehicles to be painted in Soul Red Metallic with a level of craftsmanship, quality and precision, as if painted by a skilled craftsman. No tradeoffs. No compromises. Just like the Mazda 6.
COMFORT, FUNCTIONALITY & EQUIPMENT
The intensely competitive CD-segment is crucial for automakers, particularly in Europe. It's the segment where the cars are built that best personify the essence of a brand - and thus its reputation. At Mazda, that means Sustainable Zoom-Zoom driving fun and efficiency together with the Jinba Ittai feeling of oneness between car and driver. Engineers therefore set out to evolve these qualities to a new level on the all-new Mazda 6, making the cabin of Mazda's flagship more pleasant to be in than ever. A place where the one behind the wheel is in complete control, for a driving experience that lingers long after the drive is over. The all-new Mazda 6 packaging concept posed several challenges for the car's designers. One was to realize a spacious, comfortable cabin that is in perfect harmony with the "KODO - Soul of Motion" design theme while at the same time crafting a highly functional interior that contrasts with the cabin's low, compact rear-leaning appearance. And as a Mazda, it needed to be intuitively functional, featuring an ergonomically refined human machine interface (HMI) that allows the driver to focus on the road and lets passengers relax and enjoy the ride. The car's exterior dimensions worked to their advantage: The all-new Mazda 6 sedan has one of the longest wheelbases in its segment (2,830 mm) and is also the longest overall (4,865 mm). The slightly shorter wagon, meanwhile, is still among the largest in its class, adding a distinctive level of practicality so prized by Europeans. In both cases, the ample dimensions - larger than the current model in virtually every way - provide a solid foundation for extraordinary interior comfort.
Space to stretch
Customers will be delighted with all the space in the all-new Mazda 6. Both sedan and wagon feature the most rear legroom in the segment and are also at or near the top of the class in terms of front shoulder room as well as rear knee clearance.
Engineers did more than just make things bigger, however, cleverly focusing on the little details, too. Like improving foot room for front occupants by eliminating edges around the centre console, and widening the opening underneath the front seats for those in the back. Innovative shapes used for the A-pillars, which have been pushed back 100 mm from the front axle relative to the current model, ease getting in and out of the front seats while at the same time improving the car's structural integrity. Obviously, the seats are a fundamental component of the driver-car relationship. Mazda has thus come up with all new lightweight seats for its all-new generation of vehicles, featuring a new seat structure for better comfort, improved rigidity and more lateral support, regardless of a person's size. Their body-fitting properties include a hip-support plate and modified surface shape with leaner seatbacks, which also open up more room in the back. The rear seats, too, offer enhanced support and comfort, with a longer cushion (+20 mm in sedan, +30mm in wagon), higher seatback (+36mm & +29 mm), and a 60 mm wider rear armrest.
Comfortable cockpit
Once seated behind the wheel, the HMI fuses the car into an extension of its driver. The all-new Mazda 6 is equipped with the furthest evolved HMI setup yet, putting the driver in the optimum position to make the vehicle do precisely what he or she wants. The driver's seat is therefore equipped with elaborate adjustment functionality - a movement range of 260 mm front-to- back, 50 mm lift and 30 mm tilt, and an 98 degree recline - for the easiest access possible to key driving-related components. Because it keeps the driver's right heel on the floor, the new hinged organ-type accelerator pedal enables better and more comfortable control as well as a faster braking reaction. The manual gearshift, meanwhile, is positioned for a shorter shift stroke, while the steering wheelbased paddle shifters on automatic models ensure optimal - but not accidental - access.
The entire cockpit layout in the all-new Mazda 6 was conceived to promote simpleand accurate recognition of controls and indicators. Driver magement information, such as fuel consumption, temperature and trip distance, are clearly shown on a 3.5-inch multi-information display in the main instrument cluster, while other data (e.g. from the audio and navigation systems) appear on the 5.8-inch touchscreen in the centre stack. The position of the latter has even been raised to help drivers keep their eyes on the road. And the rotary HMI commander, located on the centre console to the rear of the gearshift, can also be used to control most of the 5.8-inch display functions.
Always on top of things
Stress-free control and a fun, safe drive obviously necessitate a good overview of the surroundings and cockpit alike. With this in mind, Mazda 6 designers made sure the driver would have a continuous field of view - front, side and rear - with minimal blind spots. The rearward position of the cabin and A-pillars increases the driver's horizontal viewing angle by 5.4 degrees on the driver's side and 4.2 degrees on the front passenger side. This makes cornering easier and safer.
The location of the A-pillars also improves the driver's vertical viewing angle, making it easier to see children or objects as short as 70 cm at intersections. The driver's visibility is further enhanced by mounting the side mirrors directly to the door with gaps between them and the A-pillars. Again, this is particularly beneficial when at or approaching intersections.
Because convenience is essential to driving pleasure, the all-new Mazda 6 comes with an array of functional storage opportunities. Engineers divided the cabin into storage zones, incorporating customer feedback about the current model. Logically, priority was given to places for items used most by the driver (such as the centre console tray, floor console cupholders and front door pockets), which are situated to be visible and accessible with only slight movement. Even the glovebox was optimised with a side rather than central locking system, so it's easier for the driver to reach. And each door can now hold a 1-litre PET bottle.
Back in the boot
For bigger cargo, the boot opening on the all-new Mazda 6 sedan is larger than the current model's, while the shape of the wagon's liftgate was also optimised. As a result, the outstanding luggage capacities of both versions (489 l for the sedan and 522 l for the wagon) are that much easier to get at.
The 60:40 split rear seats fold into a flexible flat cargo area - a simple procedure using either the levers located on each side of the boot or the standard release buttons on the seatbacks themselves. Already a target of praise since its initial launch in 2002, the new wagon has a maximum cargo capacity of 1,632 l.
Already without equal in this segment, Mazda's tonneau cover is now lighter than the current model's and easier to attach and remove than ever, storing neatly under the luggage compartment floor. The liftgate, meanwhile, opens quicker and with less effort than previously, particularly in freezing weather.
Infotainment to go
Alongside the optional premium 11-speaker Bose® surround sound or standard 4 or 6-speaker systems, the infotainment offerings in the all-new Mazda 6 include a USB iPod® connection, USB port and AUX jack. Bluetooth® has been upgraded and now features replay, shuffle and folder-switching functions. The mail function enables SMS, MMS and email received by a Bluetooth®-connected smartphone to show up on the centre console display and be read out by an automated voice.
Noise suppression technology and voice recognition functions have also been improved considerably. Download up to 1,000 address book entries into the mobile phone system and call instantly by voice command, since there's no longer the need to voice register each individual entry. Even certain audio functions (like changing music tracks or radio stations) can be operated via verbal commands. And to ensure a comfortable cabin atmosphere without compromising on efficiency, Mazda's engineers cut back the size and power requirements of the climate control system - saving fuel and improving vehicle performance - while at the same time delivering excellent heating and cooling as well as improving air flow.
PREMIUM BOSE® SURROUND SOUND TECHNOLOGY
As powerful and uncompromising yet refined as the all-new Mazda 6, its highperformance 11-speaker Bose® surround sound system should satisfy even the most discerning music lovers. More advanced than in the current model, it weight 20 % less. And with circuitry that enables continuous low-power operation, it requires less cooling power, too.
This is the first Mazda audio system to feature Bose® Centerpoint® 2 virtual surround playback technology, which analyses the frequency of the sound source to deliver a truly realistic virtual surround sound, even when playing back compressed signals or radio broadcasts.
Bose® AudioPilot® 2, meanwhile, automatically compensates for the effects of unwanted sound from different road surfaces, varying driving speeds and even open windows. A microphone placed in the cabin continuously monitors ambient noise conditions, while a sophisticated Bose® algorithm analyses the music signal and adjusts it to reduce the effect of unwanted noise.
POWERTRAINS A Celebration Of Driving
When it introduced full range of SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY on the Mazda CX-5, Mazda overcame SUV shortcomings to achieve the most "car-like" performing sport utility avaiable. Now the SKYACTIV line-up makes its debut in the heavily contested CD-segment. With less weight, a lower centre of gravity and low rolling resistance tires, the all-new Mazda 6 gets even more from its SKYACTIV engines and transmissions. For uncompromising linearity and responsiveness, and an unforgettable Zoom-Zoom driving experience, exceptional fuel efficiency included. Sporty yet civilised, as the Mazda 6 should be, and Mazda's most advanced flagship ever.
Always a brisk, sporty performer, the all-new Mazda 6 is a step ahead with the SKYACTIV powertrains lurking at its heart. Ready to fulfil the driver's every wish, one of five powerful SKYACTIV engines - two diesels and three petrol powerplants - efficiently distribute power to the front wheels via a sixspeed SKYACTIV manual or automatic transmission.
Standard efficiency for all
Press the accelerator, and the car responds immediately and with precision to the amount of pressure put on the pedal, delivering strong yet refined linear acceleration. The engines even sound good: Mazda engineers tuned the intake and exhaust to eliminate undesirable highfrequency sounds while maintaining the vibrant low-frequency band. So the allnew Mazda 6 is as quiet as a refined CD sedan or wagon should be at constant cruising speeds, erupting into a truly exciting resonance when accelerating. Mazda's i-stop idle-stop system and the company's brand-new i-ELOOP brake energy regeneration system are available for all SKYACTIV engines, where they work in perfect harmony. Together with SKYACTIV powertrains and the lightweight yet rigid SKYACTIVBody and SKYACTIV-Chassis, they contribute to the Mazda 6's superb fuel economy and CO2 emissions. At Mazda, this applies to all variants - and with no compromise on performance.
Powerful petrol performance
The all-new SKYACTIV-G 2.5, the largest and most powerful SKYACTIV engine to date, was designed for maximum performance. In fact, this level of output - 141 kW / 192 PS at 5,700 rpm and 256 Nm at 3,250 rpm - would seem more at home in a highend vehicle segment.
Top performance from the directinjection petrol-powered SKYACTIV-G 2.5 is a given throughout the rpm range, propelling the all-new Mazda 6 from 0 to 100 km/h in only 7.8 seconds and a top speed of 223 km/h. Mazda overcame the NVH issues associated with this brawnier engine by adopting a balance shaft to offset vibration. So it's even quieter than the smaller SKYACTIV-G 2.0. The numerous similarities between the engines include an ultrahigh compression ratio combined with a special exhaust manifold setup, enhanced fuel spray characteristics and much more to deliver exceptional low and mid-range petrol torque along with fuel efficiency that's just as impressive. In the combined cycle, the SKYACTIV-G 2.5 uses 6.3 l/100 km, which corresponds to CO2 emissions of 148 g/km.
The SKYACTIV-G 2.0 is now available in two versions on the all-new Mazda 6 - standard and high power. Also around 10 % lighter than its MZR 2.0 predecessor, the standard power SKYACTIV-G 2.0 unites a competitive level of torque and horsepower (210 Nm at 4,000 rpm and 107 kW / 145 PS at 6,000 rpm) with class-beating fuel consumption (manual: 5.5 l / 100 km; automatic 5.9 l / 100 km) and CO2 emissions (only 129 g/km and 136 g / km).
The 0-100 km/h sprint in the all-new Mazda 6 takes a respectable 9.5 seconds with the SKYACTIV-MT manual transmission or 10.5 seconds with the automatic. Top speeds, meanwhile, are 208 km / h and 207 km / h, respectively. Delivering the same torque and around 10 % more power (121 kW / 165PS at 6,000 rpm), the high power SKYACTIV-G 2.0 is capable of 0-100 km/h times and top speeds of 10.1 seconds and 209 km / h (automatic), or 9.1 seconds and 216 km/h (manual). Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are the same as the standard power version with automatic transmission, and only slightly higher with the manual at 5.9 l / 100 km and 135 g / km.
Dynamic diesel depth
SKYACTIV stands for efficient internal combustion. And the diesels under the bonnet of the all-new Mazda 6 defy convention, featuring the world's lowest compression ratio. Since lower compression puts less strain on engine parts, it enables lighter components to be used.
The SKYACTIV-D 2.2 (also available in standard and high-power versions) weighs less than its precursor. Low compression also makes it possible to improve combustion timing and efficiency, which explains the exceptional figures: 110 kW / 150 PS at 4,500 rpm and 380 Nm at 2,000 rpm for the standard-power SKYACTIV-D 2.2, or 129 kW / 175 PS at 4,500 rpm and 420 Nm at 2,000 rpm for the high-power variant.
On the all-new Mazda 6, this is good for 0-100 km/h times and top speeds of 8.4 seconds and 216 km / h (automatic) or 7.8 seconds and 223 km/h (manual) with the high-power diesel. The standard power unit manages the 0-100 dash in 9.8 seconds (automatic) or 9.0 seconds (manual), topping out at 204 km / h and 211 km / h. And these figures are even more remarkable when considering the Mazda 6's diesel consumption: only 3,9 l / 100 km and 104 g/km (standard power SKYACTIV-D with manual); 4.8 l / 100 km and 127 g/km (standard power, automatic); or 4.5 l / 100 km and 119 g/km (high power, manual); and 4.8 l / 100 km and 127 g / km (high power, automatic). What's more, both SKYACTIV diesels are Euro 6 compliant.
Smooth, linear shifting
The highly-refined six-speed SKYACTIV-Drive automatic transmission available for all Mazda 6 engine variants is extremely well-balanced, delivering remarkably smooth shifting along with the direct feel of a manual. New control technology enables an interactive response to driver input at the accelerator pedal. That means a quicker reaction than ever to changing torque demands and better control over downshifting. The SKYACTIV-MT, meanwhile, brings the sporty, direct manual shifting of the legendary MX-5 roadster to the company's latest flagship. Both contribute to the outstanding fuel economy of the all-new Mazda 6.
I-ELOOP: Mazda´s unique brake energy regeneration system
The all-new Mazda 6 is the first production model to adopt Mazda's fuel-saving i-ELOOP brake energy regeneration system. Short for "Intelligent Energy Loop", i-ELOOP is the first such passenger car system in the world to utilise a capacitor to store recovered electricity to power the vehicle's electrical systems.
One issue that has thus far hindered the effectiveness of regenerative braking is the limited charging and power storage potential of the leadacid starter batteries typically used in automobiles. Mazda engineers therefore painstakinly analysed everyday driving conditions, focusing on the recurring cycle of deceleration and acceleration. Determining that a typical deceleration phase lasts only about 10 seconds, they adopted an electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC) rather than a dedicated battery to quickly capture and temporarily store electricity. The system uses a 12 V-25 V variable voltage alternator to efficiently generate power from the moment the accelerator is released, fully charging the EDLC in as little as 7-10 seconds - well within a single deceleration cycle. Another benefit of EDLCs is that they can be recharged again and again with minimal deterioration - unlike the lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles. After recharging, the DC/DC converter steps down the voltage of the electricity in the EDLC to 12 V to power components like the climate control and audio systems. Any surplus electricity goes to the starter battery. A full capacitor charge is enough to run the vehicle's electrical systems for a minute. i-ELOOP is therefore the perfect companion for i-stop, since there is no need to revert to battery power even when Mazda's idle-stop system has shut the car off (at a traffic light, for example). During stop-and-go city driving, charging often resumes before the capacitor is fully discharged. i-ELOOP can therefore produce most if not all of a vehicle's electricity needs, whereas normally some of the engine's output is required just to drive the alternator. By freeing up this engine capacity, i-ELOOP increases fuel economy under everyday urban driving conditions.
I-stop: For all new-generation Mazdas
i-stop is Mazda's innovative, intelligent idle-stop system. Standard equipment on all versions of the all-new Mazda 6, it's the only idle-stop system available that uses combustion energy for the restart. In addition to saving fuel, this enables the fastest restarts in the industry: 0.35 seconds for SKYACTIV-G petrol engines and only 0.40 seconds on SKYACTIV-D diesels.
i-stop uses a sophisticated control module to switch off the engine in the ignition/expansion stroke (petrol) or compression stroke (diesel), the optimal cycles for restarting. In fact, i-stop actually waits for the moment the cylinders are in the ideal restart position. And this all takes merely a spilt second.
Conventional systems only identify which cylinder is in the correct stroke position after an electric starter turns the crankshaft to begin the restart. So, whereas competing diesel models won't restart until the second compression stroke or engine cycle, Mazda's SKYACTIV-D starts almost immediately during the first stroke. And in the meantime, Mazda drivers and passengers can still use the vehicle's electric-powered systems.
It's another component of Sustainable Zoom-Zoom, Mazda's commitment to minimising the environmental impact of its vehicles - with no compromises.
CHASSIS & BODY - Predictably Responsive, Solidly Lightweight, Reassuringly Mazda
Genuine Zoom-Zoom fun can perhaps be best described by a typical driving situation: decelerating into a winding curve, manoeuvring through it and accelerating out again. The engineers who developed the SKYACTIV-Chassis and SKYACTIV-Body for the allnew Mazda 6 were aiming to make this experience as exhilarating as possible.
Their efforts paid off with evolved sporty handling - agile yet stable - that puts the driver in absolute control of the car. The lightweight yet highly rigid body only serves to support the strengths of its advanced powertrains while providing occupants with segment-leading crash protection. It's a new dimension of driving pleasure perceptible after only 100 metres, and a feeling that will endure for tens of thousands of kilometres to come.
Mazda has striven in recent years to balance the fundamentally contradictory characteristics of refined, supple motion and light, agile motion. To enhance the linear connection between the driver and basic vehicle functions like accelerating, turning and stopping. To turn the car into an extension of its driver. So Mazda took the SKYACTIV-Chassis first introduced on the Mazda CX-5 - an SUV with unprecedented passenger-car handling - and optimised it for the longer wheelbase, lighter weight, lower centre of gravity and low rolling resistance tires of its CDsegment flagship.
Reliable responsiveness
The all-new Mazda 6 offers a fertile foundation indeed for the SKYACTIV-Chassis: From the exceptional low to medium speed agility and high-speed straight-line stability, the SKYACTIV-Chassis always delivers a faithful response to steering input from the driver. Road feedback is immediate, with gently increasing roll so that no steering adjustment is required in a curve. Yet, befitting for Mazda's top model, occupants can enjoy a relaxing, comfortable drive regardless of distance.
The column-type electric power assist steering system features a class-leading 14.2 gear ratio for agile steering without having to change hand positions on the steering wheel. This makes winding roads more fun and urban driving less tiresome. A range of sensors, meanwhile, feed data to the system, which it uses to adjust steering sensitivity for nimbleness at lower speeds while suppressing disturbances for better stability on rough roads and at high speeds. The larger caster angle on the front wheels also supports highspeed stability.
Finely-tuned suspension
A key "link" in the agility-stability balance, the Mazda 6's rear multi-link suspension also ensures the superior ride comfort obligatory in this segment. Mazda found the best possible combination between rear suspension link positions and bushing characteristics to deliver more grip, raising the shock absorber mounts to reduce rear suspension impacts. This also prevents the back of the vehicle from rising when braking. The rear dampers are inclined to better absorb vibrations, while the front and rear cross members were redesigned to enhance rigidity while also reducing their weight. The SKYACTIVChassis on the all-new Mazda 6 is thus lighter than the current model's. As for stopping, the added chassis stability reduces braking distances. Here the shorter brake pedal stroke helps, giving the driver better control, as does the optimised cooling of the brake disks. As a result, the all-new Mazda 6 brakes more consistently than ever in all situations, with segment-leading stopping distances.
SKYACTIV strength
SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY is clearly about achieving the best possible balances, and the SKYACTIV-Body is no exception. Just like the SKYACTIV-Chassis, the focus here was to boost strength and stiffness while shedding kilograms. High and ultra-high tensile steels accomplish both, so Mazda uses them on 20 % more of the body by weight than the current model. Other measures include the highly rigid injection-moulded foam filling used to strengthen body joints without adding structural members, cutting door weight for example by 15 %. Even the glass on the windscreen and tailgate weighs less.
The all-new Mazda 6 is therefore lighter yet has 30 % and 45 % more torsional rigidity, respectively, than the current sedan and wagon. It's quieter and more aerodynamic, too, with a target drag coefficient of 0.26.
While lighter, sleeker bodies support better handling and fuel economy - cornerstones of Mazda's Sustainable Zoom-Zoom strategy - stiffer bodies are, of course, safer. Especially in combination with impact-absorbing structural modifications to disperse crash energy outside the cabin along load paths and replace curved structures with straight, continuous sections wherever possible.
NVH - Uniquely peaceful
Mazda was clearly aiming to make the cabin on its new flagship as tranquil as possible, minimising noise, vibration and harshness. To do so, engineers adopted the pathway blockage and absorption concepts successfully implemented on the Mazda CX-5 to shelter the cabin from road and engine noise. The results are perhaps even more impressive on the all-new Mazda 6.
Aerodynamics - A cutting-edge
The primary aerodynamic concept guiding designers of the all-new Mazda 6 was to minimise drag by enhancing the shape of the floor to strike the best possible balance between underfloor and upper body airflow.
Mazda used covers for the engine base and centre floor, among other things, along with extended front tire deflectors to smoothen airflow underneath the car. The main exhaust silencer also helps improve aerodynamics by guiding the flow of air upwards. The roof angle (and D-pillar angle on the wagon) along with the spoilers, meanwhile, were also optimised. And the all-new Mazda 6 is, in fact, as aerodynamic as it looks. The remarkably low drag coefficient, with a target cd values of 0.26 for the sedan and 0.28 for the wagon, is one of the lowest in its class. This only helps to further improve highspeed stability and, of course, fuel economy.
Sustainable Zoom-Zoom: more than just talk
In this day and age, even fun cars need to be environmentally friendly. That's why Mazda put the "Sustainable" into Sustainable Zoom-Zoom. Sustainable Zoom-Zoom is a building block strategy focused on significantly improving vehicle efficiency, firstly by developing base technology - see SKYACTIV - and then successively adding auxiliary systems like i-stop and i-ELOOP to achieve ambitious fuel economy objectives. Mazda meticulously examines every structure and material on a vehicle to eliminate every possible gram. Recyclability is also an important issue. Today, 80 % (by weight) of the materials used to manufacture cars are already recycled. These are mostly metals like iron and aluminium, so Mazda is looking at the remaining 20 % - primarily plastics and glass - and developing initiatives to make these components easier to identify and dismantle.
For example, the company uses recycling-friendly polypropylene, a thermoplastic resin, on the all-new Mazda 6's front and rear bumpers as well as the instrument panel and trim. And it's phasing out harmful materials, eliminating lead, cadmium and chromium hexavalent on all new Mazdas.
Mazda's lifecycle assessment process confirms that it has successfully reduced the Mazda 6's emissions of CO2, a greenhouse gas, as well as nitrogen and sulphur oxides (NOx and SOx), which cause acid rain. Mazda is also working to cut the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in its vehicle interiors and was the first automaker to adopt low-VOC sealants, paints and adhesives for the cabin. It all proves how seriously Mazda is committed to minimising its environmental impact - with no compromises.
SAFETY High-Tech Guardians
At Mazda, safety is an integral element of driving pleasure and Sustainable Zoom-Zoom. In fact, the company's Proactive Safety philosophy sets it apart with a range of safety features that help drivers under a wide range of conditions. In the all-new Mazda 6, as with all new generation Mazdas, safety is driver focused.
Rather than simply letting systems intervene and take over control of the vehicle, Mazda's concept is to give drivers more "eyes", enabling them to be more aware of their surroundings and more alert to hazards at all times. With the latest in active safety technology, drivers of the all-new Mazda 6 are much better able to proactively avert accidents. And when one is unavoidable, the car provides maximum protection to occupants and pedestrians alike, in many cases even limiting vehicle damage. The car becomes an extension of its driver, also when it comes to safety, for an appropriately satisfying driving experience.
I-ACTIVSENSE technology
i-ACTIVSENSE is what Mazda calls its driver-supporting range of sensor-based safety devices, many of which can be found on the all-new Mazda 6.
Two active safety systems making their European debut on the all-new Mazda 6 are Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC), which maintains a safe distance from the preceding vehicle, and Smart Brake Support (SBS), which includes Distance Recognition Support and Forward Obstruction Warning. SBS both complements and supplements Smart City Brake Support, a system that made its Mazda premiere on the CX-5.
High Beam Control System, also first seen on the CX-5, automatically switches between low and high beams to avoid impairing the vision of other motorists. And the Adaptive Front-lighting System helps drivers see around curves at night - when the majority of fatal accidents occur - predicting the course of the road ahead based on driver steering input and directing the headlamps accordingly. The Lane Departure Warning System and Rear Vehicle Monitoring are two more perspective-enhancing highlights of the all-new Mazda 6. LDWS monitors the lane markings on the road, providing audible and visual alerts when it detects an unintentional lane change at 65 km/h or higher. RVM, meanwhile, keeps an eye on the blind spots, informing the driver via LEDs in the appropriate side mirror of vehicles approaching from behind in adjacent lanes. Should the driver signal to change lanes, a buzzer sounds and the LEDs start to blink. RVM works at speeds as low as 30 km/h.
Proactively alert
And for vehicles travelling directly behind the Mazda flagship, there's the Emergency Stop Signal, which rapidly flashes the four-way hazard lights during heavy braking from speeds of at least 50 km/h. It switches on the hazards at normal frequency, too, at 10 km/h or less to notify other drivers when the vehicle is about to stop. Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) The all-new Mazda 6 is also equipped with Hill Launch Assist, which controls brake pressure for smooth hill starts, and of course all the latest generation of automated vehicle safety systems, including ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, brake assist, dynamic stability control and traction control. And with a cockpit and human machine interface (HMI) designed to enhance visibility, the driver is in the perfect position to take full advantage of these systems.
Clearly there's no such thing as 100 % security, and all this active safety technology won't necessarily help drivers prevent every accident. But should one occur, the all-new Mazda 6 was designed to provide the utmost in occupant protection.
In a safer place
Passive safety - what counts during an accident - starts with the SKYACTIV-Body. Lightweight but rigid thanks among other things to all the high-tensile steels, it efficiently absorbs impacts from all directions and /or disperses crash energy to keep cabin deformation to a minimum.
Frontal impact forces, for example, are absorbed by crush cans in the engine compartment and channelled through the SKYACTIV-Body's multi-load paths. To create a larger crumple zone, the front suspension cross-members are designed to detach from their mountings. And milder frontal collisions (up to 15 km/h) are absorbed by easy-to-replace bolted-on parts, preventing damage to the front frame and engine components. This makes subsequent repairs far more economical.
Side impact safety is taken care of by Mazda's "triple-H" cage structure around the cabin, which has been strengthened by linking roof members, B-pillars and underbody members in uninterrupted ring structures. While added spot welds hold these structures together at the joints for greater shock resistance, the size, shapes and strength of pillars and bars were enhanced to prevent the cabin from deforming. The B-pillars and door impact bars, for example, are made from ultrahigh tensile steel. And to help protect occupants by absorbing and dispersing crash energy during a rear-end collision, Mazda improved the cross-sectional shape of the rear frame, joining it to the B-frame and straightening underbody members. Designers were able to limit the protrusion of the rear bumper by giving it an innovative reinforcing cross shape, which can absorb more force over a shorter crumple space. The all-new Mazda 6 thus delivers worldclass safety with no need to compromise on the KODO design's beauty.
Ingeniouslysecure inside
The interior, too, is built for better-than-ever occupant protection. That's why interior components and trim were redesigned. Other improvements include front and rear door armrests that split during a side impact to soften contact with occupants. High-tensile steel, meanwhile, was added to the rear seatback and its connections and mounts strengthened to reinforce cabin integrity and prevent luggage intrusion. Mazda advanced the anti-whiplash design of the front seats with reinforced head rests, seatbacks and seat lifters to restrict movement and rotation of the head, chest and hips during an accident. Shear and tensile loads on the neck are as a result among the best in the segment for front occupants of the all-new Mazda 6. And the optimised seats are still comfortable, also weighing less than those in the current model. In addition to standard front, side and curtain airbags, the front seatbelts combine pretensioners to tighten the belts during a frontal accident and load limiters to avoid excessive pressure on the chest. The smallest passengers also get the best possible protection, thanks to ISOFIX connections with top tether anchors for quick and secure child seat installation.
Protecting those outside
While steadily improving automobile safety has led to a sharp decline in occupant deaths over the past decades, the proportion of pedestrian fatalities has grown. Reflecting this, EuroNCAP ratings now incorporate stricter criteria for pedestrian impacts. Always striving to stay ahead of the game, Mazda adopted several measures to better protect pedestrians. These include bonnet hinges that yield downwards (vertically) to help prevent head injuries, but without diminishing their longitudinal (or horizontal) strength, which inhibits the bonnet from moving back towards the cabin. The low bonnet on the all-new Mazda 6 makes it difficult to build in deep enough crumple zones above the front suspension towers, so Mazda used a special material here along with a new structure for the fender brackets. As a result, they crush during an accident to absorb the impact from a pedestrian, yet still resist deformation if someone leans on them.
The body cowl was also optimised to soften any blows to the head, improving NVH at the same time within the limited space available. Finally, the energy-absorbing foam used on the front bumper reinforcing member better protects pedestrian legs, with a "stiffener" added to stop the legs from becoming trapped underneath the car. And since all these features are hidden, they don't detract from the Mazda 6's good looks.
It all adds up to world-class crash safety, proven by the exhaustive testing undertaken on the all-new Mazda 6. Mazda went the extra mile, subjecting its flagship to a wider range of collision situations than regulations require, including side and offset front and rear impacts. The new model should therefore comply with even the most stringent crash test safety rating criteria around the world.
Mazda Radar Cruise Control
Changing traffic conditions can be stressful and tiring for drivers, particularly over longer distances and periods of time. But not with Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC), which debuts in Europe on the all-new Mazda 6. The system uses a radar sensor in the front grille to monitor preceding vehicles and maintain a safe trailing distance, automatically controlling the speed and brakes as necessary.
The driver can choose from four distance settings, enabling the system to flexibly accommodate changing traffic flows, when for example a flowing motorway turns congested, significantly shortening trailing distances. MRCC functions from speeds of 30 km/h all the way up to 200 km/h and only shuts off if the car is travelling less than 20 km/h. So it can be engaged on a high-speed motorway, automatically adjusting speed as needed, then decelerate on a steeply-curved exit ramp, and remain in operation following a vehicle accelerating down the next road. MRCC detects vehicles at distances as far as 140 m and, being radar based, can "see" through rain, darkness and blinding sunlight.
Smart Brake Support
According to EuroNCAP, 90 % of road accidents are caused by distracted or inattentive drivers. Vehicles with autonomous emergency braking systems, however, have up to 27 % fewer accidents, considerably reducing injuries. That is why EuroNCAP will include assessments of these systems in their vehicle safety ratings starting in 2014. With the combination of Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) and Smart Brake Support (SBS), the all-new Mazda 6 is already geared up for the future.
Like MRCC, SBS utilises the radar sensor in the front grille to monitor preceding vehicles at a range of up to 140 m. It works together with the Distance Recognition Support System (DRSS), a feature that calculates the "catch-up" time to other cars based on speed and distance, and the related Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW), which alerts the drivers to a potential collision using a warning sound and unmistakable "BRAKE" light in the 3.5-inch display next to the speedometer. SBS, which functions from 15-145 km/h, helps to prevent or at least reduce the severity of a rear impact with a preceding vehicle, even at elevated speeds.
Averting accidents entirely
SBS is thereby the perfect partner for SCBS, a system first introduced on the CX-5. SCBS uses a near-infrared sensor on the windshield to monitor preceding vehicles up to 6 m away at low speeds (4-30 km/h). Like SBS, if this system perceives an increased risk of a collision, it pre-fills the brakes to eliminate play, automatically applying them if the danger persists without any evasive response by the driver. Otherwise, the pre-fill is cancelled.
Mazda is reaching for greater heights in a flagship for a new generation and a new level of driving pleasure. With the distinct design, intuitive functionality and exceptional responsiveness that are essential elements of every Mazda. But also blending a dynamic, emotional appeal with the composure mandatory for Mazda's top model. This, of course, posed challenges for designers and engineers as they sought to balance potentially conflicting attributes like form and function, performance and efficiency, comfort and practicality, uniqueness and mass appeal. And in the all-important reputation-making CDsegment, no less.
Always ready to fulfil the driver's every wish, the SKYACTIV powertrains provide unrivalled linearity and responsiveness. They're a perfect match for the new Mazda 6's equally precise handling, founded on agile yet stable steering and suspension feedback that puts the driver in absolute control. This model marks the latest evolution of Sustainable Zoom-Zoom, Mazda's long-term vision to develop technology for exceptionally safe and environmentally friendly vehicles that also provide the greatest possible driving pleasure. To deliver top-class fuel economy, the all-new Mazda 6 combines the lightweight design common to all SKYACTIV components with uniquely innovative engines and transmissions and Mazda's unique i-ELOOP brake energy regeneration system.
It's remarkably safe thanks to the SKYACTIV-Body, whose highly rigid structure absorbs impact energy and channels it away from the cabin for segment-leading crash protection. Add in the enviable range of active safety technology, and you have an environment where the driver can concentrate on the driving experience while passengers relax and enjoy the ride.And they'll be comfortable, too. Despite its compact look, the rear-leaning cabin - an integral part of the uniquely bold KODO design - exudes strength and vitality - offering a spacious interior with a refreshingly ergonomic layout in which controls and features are cleverly positioned for the utmost in convenience and flexibility.
In short, the all-new Mazda 6 is a stunningly fashioned car that's both safe and efficient, uniting a smooth, refined drive with precise, linear handling to a degree that most CDsegment models in Europe can only dream of. And it's here, today.
DESIGN - Moving People
As Mazda's next flagship, the all-new Mazda 6 had to be even better than it's predecessor - a model that already achieved top ratings from European customers as well as the media. With striking looks and harmonious forms and textures alongside the uniqueness that precludes the Mazda badge.
At the same time, it needed to attract the broad customer appeal obligatory for CD-segment sedans and wagons in Europe. Mazda designers undertook this complex challenge, working closely with company engineers to make their visions both feasible and highly functional. The result is a new Mazda 6 that will delight customers with its combination of superior build quality and functional, practical beauty that should continue to please the senses well into the future. One look at the all-new Mazda 6 should eradicate any doubts about the skills of Mazda's designers, long known for their unique ability to express motion when shaping vehicles. Their latest evolution is called "KODO - Soul of Motion", a design theme inspired by the movements of animals in the wild - and the look for the new generation of Mazdas. Mazda believes it has captured KODO's purest essence in the all-new Mazda 6, the production model born of the Mazda Takeri concept first showcased at the Tokyo Motor Show in late 2011. Sedan or wagon, it combines a muscular anatomy and vitality with a functional allure that is certain to gain broad market appreciation - and a level of quality that sets it apart.
"The all-new Mazda 6 has a robust framework and a low, wide stance that expresses strength and stability, creating an impression of extraordinary vitality without detracting from the universal aesthetic appeal and beautiful form it displays as a CD car," says Akira Tamatani, the chief designer. "We have created a design in which the wild and dynamic expressions of motion artistically realize a powerful presence. Simply looking at the car heightens one's expectations about the driving experience even before actually riding in it." - Akira Tamatani, Chief Designer Mazda 6Exterior: Shapes that enrich the senses
This is a big achievement in asegment that is so competitive in Europe, representing 6.2 % of the European passenger car market. When designing the Mazda 6, the aim was to come up with a body that clearly sets the vehicle apart from conventional thinking, as unveiled on the Takeri and Shinari concepts, while still furnishing the vehicle with unmistakable dignity and purpose.
The prominent fenders and compactlooking cabin set towards the rear highlight the large-diameter 19-inch aluminium wheels, which only add to the car's composed exterior. The five sets of contoured spokes underline the sense of dynamism and light, effortless motion. And they don't just look good, either. Engineers worked with designers to improve stiffness and thus resistance to deformation. The result is superior handling coupled with reduced noise, vibration and harshness.
In what is undoubtedly some of their best work yet, Mazda's world-class design team came up with distinctive body
The prominent fenders and compactlooking cabin set towards the rear highlight the large-diameter 19-inch aluminium wheels, which only add to the car's composed exterior. The five sets of contoured spokes underline the sense of dynamism and light, effortless motion. And they don't just look good, either. Engineers worked with designers to improve stiffness and thus resistance to deformation. The result is superior handling coupled with reduced noise, vibration and harshness. In what is undoubtedly some of their best work yet, Mazda's world-class design team came up with distinctive bodylines whose impressions vary - a sence of speed here, more relaxed there - depending on how the light falls. In doing so, they focused on the interplay between light and shadow, designing a car that one never tires of looking at.
The family face clearly says "Mazda", with distinctive elements harmoniously blended into the package. Take the signature wings, for example, a KODO design trademark spanning from headlamp to headlamp through the bottom of the imposing upper grille. Together with the glinting eyes, the front-end expresses a dignified sense of purpose.
The all-new Mazda 6 is the company's first production model to incorporate LEDs and a new halo ring light into the headlamps. The ring, which surrounds each headlight, accentuates the forwardlooking stance and mature fearlessness, while the LEDs visually extend the signature wings outwards, adding to the sense of speed.
Truly functional design
The wings flow into distinctive character lines on the sides of the car, as if it were ready to leap off the ground and rocket forward. The coupé-like cabin on the sedan slides over the C-pillar into the short, powerful rear deck, stressing the car's firm footing. The wagon, meanwhile, adds practical utility to this lean, sporty stance. In either case, the driver can anticipate an instantaneous response to his or her input.
Indeed, one recurring characteristic of the all-new Mazda 6 is the harmony of its various design features. The signature rear tail lamps, for example, emulate the headlamps, using a line of light to "stretch" the rear chrome moulding outwards via the main tail light to the character lines on the side of the car. Like the headlamps, they highlight the elegant strength of the all-new Mazda 6.
Interior: Stunning simplicity
Open the door of the Mazda 6, and this exciting yet dignified consistency continues on the inside. Interior designers paid meticulous attention to detail, enhancing shapes and textures as well as appearances. What they came up with is a harmonious, uncluttered space with an immediately perceptible level of genuine quality and tasteful coordination fitting for a flagship: An interior as stunning as it is sensible.
For example, the various controls received the same finishing. This produces a clean, consistent look throughout the allnew Mazda 6 while at the same time making knobs and switches easier to locate visually and therefore operate. Parts like the door handles were given a handpolished aluminium look, with soft materials used for elements that occupants touch the most, such as the steering wheel and armrest. The use of hard plastics was kept to a minimum, with a high-quality finish that underscores the refinement of the Mazda 6 interior while offering practical benefits to driver and passenger alike.
Inspiringly clean lines
Like the exterior, the two main lines (and key design elements) of the interior express motion and speed. The top one curves across the crest of the instrument panel, flowing through the door trim toward the rear seats. A second, stronger line runs horizontally halfway down the instrument panel. Together, they impart a sense of stability and reliability, thus reflecting two of the Mazda 6's traditional strengths. And as on the body, interior surfaces are contoured to create rich contrasts between light and shadows. This just adds to the cabin's sophisticated sportiness.
Unsurprisingly, the driver's side is forward focused and driver oriented, maximizing Jinba Ittai, Mazda's unique feeling of oneness with the car.
Switches and controls are positioned for optimum usability, and the symmetrical gauges (with clean white lighting replacing the red used in the current model as well as LED backlighting) inspire enthusiasm as soon as one gets behind the wheel. But despite from the proximity of the cockpit, the front passenger environment engenders peace of mind, imparting a sense of space and well-being.
Elegant, sporty comfort
The seats, especially at the front, have a simple, contoured shape with a wraparound sports car feel providing vertical, longitudinal or lateral support when it's which subtly shows off the rich textures and details. Black woven fabric featuring a silky yet solid feel is also available.
Tastefully coordinated and expertly crafted, Mazda's interior designers achieved an instantly recognisable level of highquality and harmonious elegance befitting the sporty yet distinguished exterior. Inside or out, it's a style destined to uphold its appeal for years to come.
Colours
Soul Red Metallic, Blue Reflex Mica, Meteor Grey Mica and Jet Black Mica: These are the four new body colours available for the all-new Mazda 6. They were specially developed to provide stronger contrasts than ever, using tiny flakes of reflective pigment to produce greater differences in brightness between highlights and shaded areas. This "hardens" the sculpted shapes of the all-new Mazda 6, enhancing its strengths by adding to the sharpness and solidity of the vehicle's athletic forms - and the beauty of KODO. Four additional colours - Stormy Blue Mica, Aluminium Metallic, Snowflake White Pearl and Solid Arctic White - are also available.
Soul Red Metallic
It's perhaps the world's most emotionally appealing red. Soul Red Metallic is about pure energy, combining highlights, shade and depth in ways that emphasise the dynamic body shapes of the Mazda 6 and its sportiness.
How? Through the use of two different base colour coats with different functions. Depending on the angle of view, there is a significant change in the hue between illuminated and shaded areas. This unique colour also responds exquisitely to more subtle intermediate levels of light, heightening the impact of the Mazda 6's refined appearance.
Normally, a body is painted in two different coats: a colour and a clear coat. With only one coloured coat, however, there is always a trade-off between vividness and a colour's contrast and depth. To make Soul Red Metallic, Mazda used two base colour coats under the clear coat, each with different functions. The lower base coat, with exceptionally bright aluminium flakes, serves as a reflective layer. These flakes are arranged as horizontally as possible to reflect strong light. The upper base coat, meanwhile, is a semi-translucent layer with high-chroma (meaning very intense) red pigment. Light shines through the upper base coat, arriving at the lower coat with a red tint, where the aluminium flakes reflect the light back through the high-chroma red layer.
As a result, strongly illuminated areas of the Mazda 6 appear in a deep, intensive red that, like the sun, appear to radiate from within. Shaded areas, in contrast, appear blackish. This wide contrast range, with unprecedented levels of chroma or vividness along with extraordinary depth, is what makes Soul Red Metallic such a breakthrough.
The fully robotic system used to apply the paint is specially programmed for Soul Red Metallic to ensure the utmost in precision and quality and a consistent coat over the entire car. The innovative combination of materials in the paint and its meticulous application are what enable Mazda to achieve such an emotionally appealing result. And the Soul Red Metallic technology is even compatible with Mazda's environmentally-friendly Three Layer Wet Paint System. While being considerate to the environment, this exclusive paint program called "TAKUMINURI" enables vehicles to be painted in Soul Red Metallic with a level of craftsmanship, quality and precision, as if painted by a skilled craftsman. No tradeoffs. No compromises. Just like the Mazda 6.
COMFORT, FUNCTIONALITY & EQUIPMENT
The intensely competitive CD-segment is crucial for automakers, particularly in Europe. It's the segment where the cars are built that best personify the essence of a brand - and thus its reputation. At Mazda, that means Sustainable Zoom-Zoom driving fun and efficiency together with the Jinba Ittai feeling of oneness between car and driver. Engineers therefore set out to evolve these qualities to a new level on the all-new Mazda 6, making the cabin of Mazda's flagship more pleasant to be in than ever. A place where the one behind the wheel is in complete control, for a driving experience that lingers long after the drive is over. The all-new Mazda 6 packaging concept posed several challenges for the car's designers. One was to realize a spacious, comfortable cabin that is in perfect harmony with the "KODO - Soul of Motion" design theme while at the same time crafting a highly functional interior that contrasts with the cabin's low, compact rear-leaning appearance. And as a Mazda, it needed to be intuitively functional, featuring an ergonomically refined human machine interface (HMI) that allows the driver to focus on the road and lets passengers relax and enjoy the ride. The car's exterior dimensions worked to their advantage: The all-new Mazda 6 sedan has one of the longest wheelbases in its segment (2,830 mm) and is also the longest overall (4,865 mm). The slightly shorter wagon, meanwhile, is still among the largest in its class, adding a distinctive level of practicality so prized by Europeans. In both cases, the ample dimensions - larger than the current model in virtually every way - provide a solid foundation for extraordinary interior comfort.
Space to stretch
Customers will be delighted with all the space in the all-new Mazda 6. Both sedan and wagon feature the most rear legroom in the segment and are also at or near the top of the class in terms of front shoulder room as well as rear knee clearance.
Engineers did more than just make things bigger, however, cleverly focusing on the little details, too. Like improving foot room for front occupants by eliminating edges around the centre console, and widening the opening underneath the front seats for those in the back. Innovative shapes used for the A-pillars, which have been pushed back 100 mm from the front axle relative to the current model, ease getting in and out of the front seats while at the same time improving the car's structural integrity. Obviously, the seats are a fundamental component of the driver-car relationship. Mazda has thus come up with all new lightweight seats for its all-new generation of vehicles, featuring a new seat structure for better comfort, improved rigidity and more lateral support, regardless of a person's size. Their body-fitting properties include a hip-support plate and modified surface shape with leaner seatbacks, which also open up more room in the back. The rear seats, too, offer enhanced support and comfort, with a longer cushion (+20 mm in sedan, +30mm in wagon), higher seatback (+36mm & +29 mm), and a 60 mm wider rear armrest.
Comfortable cockpit
Once seated behind the wheel, the HMI fuses the car into an extension of its driver. The all-new Mazda 6 is equipped with the furthest evolved HMI setup yet, putting the driver in the optimum position to make the vehicle do precisely what he or she wants. The driver's seat is therefore equipped with elaborate adjustment functionality - a movement range of 260 mm front-to- back, 50 mm lift and 30 mm tilt, and an 98 degree recline - for the easiest access possible to key driving-related components. Because it keeps the driver's right heel on the floor, the new hinged organ-type accelerator pedal enables better and more comfortable control as well as a faster braking reaction. The manual gearshift, meanwhile, is positioned for a shorter shift stroke, while the steering wheelbased paddle shifters on automatic models ensure optimal - but not accidental - access.
The entire cockpit layout in the all-new Mazda 6 was conceived to promote simpleand accurate recognition of controls and indicators. Driver magement information, such as fuel consumption, temperature and trip distance, are clearly shown on a 3.5-inch multi-information display in the main instrument cluster, while other data (e.g. from the audio and navigation systems) appear on the 5.8-inch touchscreen in the centre stack. The position of the latter has even been raised to help drivers keep their eyes on the road. And the rotary HMI commander, located on the centre console to the rear of the gearshift, can also be used to control most of the 5.8-inch display functions.
Always on top of things
Stress-free control and a fun, safe drive obviously necessitate a good overview of the surroundings and cockpit alike. With this in mind, Mazda 6 designers made sure the driver would have a continuous field of view - front, side and rear - with minimal blind spots. The rearward position of the cabin and A-pillars increases the driver's horizontal viewing angle by 5.4 degrees on the driver's side and 4.2 degrees on the front passenger side. This makes cornering easier and safer.
The location of the A-pillars also improves the driver's vertical viewing angle, making it easier to see children or objects as short as 70 cm at intersections. The driver's visibility is further enhanced by mounting the side mirrors directly to the door with gaps between them and the A-pillars. Again, this is particularly beneficial when at or approaching intersections.
Because convenience is essential to driving pleasure, the all-new Mazda 6 comes with an array of functional storage opportunities. Engineers divided the cabin into storage zones, incorporating customer feedback about the current model. Logically, priority was given to places for items used most by the driver (such as the centre console tray, floor console cupholders and front door pockets), which are situated to be visible and accessible with only slight movement. Even the glovebox was optimised with a side rather than central locking system, so it's easier for the driver to reach. And each door can now hold a 1-litre PET bottle.
Back in the boot
For bigger cargo, the boot opening on the all-new Mazda 6 sedan is larger than the current model's, while the shape of the wagon's liftgate was also optimised. As a result, the outstanding luggage capacities of both versions (489 l for the sedan and 522 l for the wagon) are that much easier to get at.
The 60:40 split rear seats fold into a flexible flat cargo area - a simple procedure using either the levers located on each side of the boot or the standard release buttons on the seatbacks themselves. Already a target of praise since its initial launch in 2002, the new wagon has a maximum cargo capacity of 1,632 l.
Already without equal in this segment, Mazda's tonneau cover is now lighter than the current model's and easier to attach and remove than ever, storing neatly under the luggage compartment floor. The liftgate, meanwhile, opens quicker and with less effort than previously, particularly in freezing weather.
Infotainment to go
Alongside the optional premium 11-speaker Bose® surround sound or standard 4 or 6-speaker systems, the infotainment offerings in the all-new Mazda 6 include a USB iPod® connection, USB port and AUX jack. Bluetooth® has been upgraded and now features replay, shuffle and folder-switching functions. The mail function enables SMS, MMS and email received by a Bluetooth®-connected smartphone to show up on the centre console display and be read out by an automated voice.
Noise suppression technology and voice recognition functions have also been improved considerably. Download up to 1,000 address book entries into the mobile phone system and call instantly by voice command, since there's no longer the need to voice register each individual entry. Even certain audio functions (like changing music tracks or radio stations) can be operated via verbal commands. And to ensure a comfortable cabin atmosphere without compromising on efficiency, Mazda's engineers cut back the size and power requirements of the climate control system - saving fuel and improving vehicle performance - while at the same time delivering excellent heating and cooling as well as improving air flow.
PREMIUM BOSE® SURROUND SOUND TECHNOLOGY
As powerful and uncompromising yet refined as the all-new Mazda 6, its highperformance 11-speaker Bose® surround sound system should satisfy even the most discerning music lovers. More advanced than in the current model, it weight 20 % less. And with circuitry that enables continuous low-power operation, it requires less cooling power, too.
This is the first Mazda audio system to feature Bose® Centerpoint® 2 virtual surround playback technology, which analyses the frequency of the sound source to deliver a truly realistic virtual surround sound, even when playing back compressed signals or radio broadcasts.
Bose® AudioPilot® 2, meanwhile, automatically compensates for the effects of unwanted sound from different road surfaces, varying driving speeds and even open windows. A microphone placed in the cabin continuously monitors ambient noise conditions, while a sophisticated Bose® algorithm analyses the music signal and adjusts it to reduce the effect of unwanted noise.
POWERTRAINS A Celebration Of Driving
When it introduced full range of SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY on the Mazda CX-5, Mazda overcame SUV shortcomings to achieve the most "car-like" performing sport utility avaiable. Now the SKYACTIV line-up makes its debut in the heavily contested CD-segment. With less weight, a lower centre of gravity and low rolling resistance tires, the all-new Mazda 6 gets even more from its SKYACTIV engines and transmissions. For uncompromising linearity and responsiveness, and an unforgettable Zoom-Zoom driving experience, exceptional fuel efficiency included. Sporty yet civilised, as the Mazda 6 should be, and Mazda's most advanced flagship ever.
Always a brisk, sporty performer, the all-new Mazda 6 is a step ahead with the SKYACTIV powertrains lurking at its heart. Ready to fulfil the driver's every wish, one of five powerful SKYACTIV engines - two diesels and three petrol powerplants - efficiently distribute power to the front wheels via a sixspeed SKYACTIV manual or automatic transmission.
Standard efficiency for all
Press the accelerator, and the car responds immediately and with precision to the amount of pressure put on the pedal, delivering strong yet refined linear acceleration. The engines even sound good: Mazda engineers tuned the intake and exhaust to eliminate undesirable highfrequency sounds while maintaining the vibrant low-frequency band. So the allnew Mazda 6 is as quiet as a refined CD sedan or wagon should be at constant cruising speeds, erupting into a truly exciting resonance when accelerating. Mazda's i-stop idle-stop system and the company's brand-new i-ELOOP brake energy regeneration system are available for all SKYACTIV engines, where they work in perfect harmony. Together with SKYACTIV powertrains and the lightweight yet rigid SKYACTIVBody and SKYACTIV-Chassis, they contribute to the Mazda 6's superb fuel economy and CO2 emissions. At Mazda, this applies to all variants - and with no compromise on performance.
Powerful petrol performance
The all-new SKYACTIV-G 2.5, the largest and most powerful SKYACTIV engine to date, was designed for maximum performance. In fact, this level of output - 141 kW / 192 PS at 5,700 rpm and 256 Nm at 3,250 rpm - would seem more at home in a highend vehicle segment.
Top performance from the directinjection petrol-powered SKYACTIV-G 2.5 is a given throughout the rpm range, propelling the all-new Mazda 6 from 0 to 100 km/h in only 7.8 seconds and a top speed of 223 km/h. Mazda overcame the NVH issues associated with this brawnier engine by adopting a balance shaft to offset vibration. So it's even quieter than the smaller SKYACTIV-G 2.0. The numerous similarities between the engines include an ultrahigh compression ratio combined with a special exhaust manifold setup, enhanced fuel spray characteristics and much more to deliver exceptional low and mid-range petrol torque along with fuel efficiency that's just as impressive. In the combined cycle, the SKYACTIV-G 2.5 uses 6.3 l/100 km, which corresponds to CO2 emissions of 148 g/km.
The SKYACTIV-G 2.0 is now available in two versions on the all-new Mazda 6 - standard and high power. Also around 10 % lighter than its MZR 2.0 predecessor, the standard power SKYACTIV-G 2.0 unites a competitive level of torque and horsepower (210 Nm at 4,000 rpm and 107 kW / 145 PS at 6,000 rpm) with class-beating fuel consumption (manual: 5.5 l / 100 km; automatic 5.9 l / 100 km) and CO2 emissions (only 129 g/km and 136 g / km).
The 0-100 km/h sprint in the all-new Mazda 6 takes a respectable 9.5 seconds with the SKYACTIV-MT manual transmission or 10.5 seconds with the automatic. Top speeds, meanwhile, are 208 km / h and 207 km / h, respectively. Delivering the same torque and around 10 % more power (121 kW / 165PS at 6,000 rpm), the high power SKYACTIV-G 2.0 is capable of 0-100 km/h times and top speeds of 10.1 seconds and 209 km / h (automatic), or 9.1 seconds and 216 km/h (manual). Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are the same as the standard power version with automatic transmission, and only slightly higher with the manual at 5.9 l / 100 km and 135 g / km.
Dynamic diesel depth
SKYACTIV stands for efficient internal combustion. And the diesels under the bonnet of the all-new Mazda 6 defy convention, featuring the world's lowest compression ratio. Since lower compression puts less strain on engine parts, it enables lighter components to be used.
The SKYACTIV-D 2.2 (also available in standard and high-power versions) weighs less than its precursor. Low compression also makes it possible to improve combustion timing and efficiency, which explains the exceptional figures: 110 kW / 150 PS at 4,500 rpm and 380 Nm at 2,000 rpm for the standard-power SKYACTIV-D 2.2, or 129 kW / 175 PS at 4,500 rpm and 420 Nm at 2,000 rpm for the high-power variant.
On the all-new Mazda 6, this is good for 0-100 km/h times and top speeds of 8.4 seconds and 216 km / h (automatic) or 7.8 seconds and 223 km/h (manual) with the high-power diesel. The standard power unit manages the 0-100 dash in 9.8 seconds (automatic) or 9.0 seconds (manual), topping out at 204 km / h and 211 km / h. And these figures are even more remarkable when considering the Mazda 6's diesel consumption: only 3,9 l / 100 km and 104 g/km (standard power SKYACTIV-D with manual); 4.8 l / 100 km and 127 g/km (standard power, automatic); or 4.5 l / 100 km and 119 g/km (high power, manual); and 4.8 l / 100 km and 127 g / km (high power, automatic). What's more, both SKYACTIV diesels are Euro 6 compliant.
Smooth, linear shifting
The highly-refined six-speed SKYACTIV-Drive automatic transmission available for all Mazda 6 engine variants is extremely well-balanced, delivering remarkably smooth shifting along with the direct feel of a manual. New control technology enables an interactive response to driver input at the accelerator pedal. That means a quicker reaction than ever to changing torque demands and better control over downshifting. The SKYACTIV-MT, meanwhile, brings the sporty, direct manual shifting of the legendary MX-5 roadster to the company's latest flagship. Both contribute to the outstanding fuel economy of the all-new Mazda 6.
I-ELOOP: Mazda´s unique brake energy regeneration system
The all-new Mazda 6 is the first production model to adopt Mazda's fuel-saving i-ELOOP brake energy regeneration system. Short for "Intelligent Energy Loop", i-ELOOP is the first such passenger car system in the world to utilise a capacitor to store recovered electricity to power the vehicle's electrical systems.
One issue that has thus far hindered the effectiveness of regenerative braking is the limited charging and power storage potential of the leadacid starter batteries typically used in automobiles. Mazda engineers therefore painstakinly analysed everyday driving conditions, focusing on the recurring cycle of deceleration and acceleration. Determining that a typical deceleration phase lasts only about 10 seconds, they adopted an electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC) rather than a dedicated battery to quickly capture and temporarily store electricity. The system uses a 12 V-25 V variable voltage alternator to efficiently generate power from the moment the accelerator is released, fully charging the EDLC in as little as 7-10 seconds - well within a single deceleration cycle. Another benefit of EDLCs is that they can be recharged again and again with minimal deterioration - unlike the lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles. After recharging, the DC/DC converter steps down the voltage of the electricity in the EDLC to 12 V to power components like the climate control and audio systems. Any surplus electricity goes to the starter battery. A full capacitor charge is enough to run the vehicle's electrical systems for a minute. i-ELOOP is therefore the perfect companion for i-stop, since there is no need to revert to battery power even when Mazda's idle-stop system has shut the car off (at a traffic light, for example). During stop-and-go city driving, charging often resumes before the capacitor is fully discharged. i-ELOOP can therefore produce most if not all of a vehicle's electricity needs, whereas normally some of the engine's output is required just to drive the alternator. By freeing up this engine capacity, i-ELOOP increases fuel economy under everyday urban driving conditions.
I-stop: For all new-generation Mazdas
i-stop is Mazda's innovative, intelligent idle-stop system. Standard equipment on all versions of the all-new Mazda 6, it's the only idle-stop system available that uses combustion energy for the restart. In addition to saving fuel, this enables the fastest restarts in the industry: 0.35 seconds for SKYACTIV-G petrol engines and only 0.40 seconds on SKYACTIV-D diesels.
i-stop uses a sophisticated control module to switch off the engine in the ignition/expansion stroke (petrol) or compression stroke (diesel), the optimal cycles for restarting. In fact, i-stop actually waits for the moment the cylinders are in the ideal restart position. And this all takes merely a spilt second.
Conventional systems only identify which cylinder is in the correct stroke position after an electric starter turns the crankshaft to begin the restart. So, whereas competing diesel models won't restart until the second compression stroke or engine cycle, Mazda's SKYACTIV-D starts almost immediately during the first stroke. And in the meantime, Mazda drivers and passengers can still use the vehicle's electric-powered systems.
It's another component of Sustainable Zoom-Zoom, Mazda's commitment to minimising the environmental impact of its vehicles - with no compromises.
CHASSIS & BODY - Predictably Responsive, Solidly Lightweight, Reassuringly Mazda
Genuine Zoom-Zoom fun can perhaps be best described by a typical driving situation: decelerating into a winding curve, manoeuvring through it and accelerating out again. The engineers who developed the SKYACTIV-Chassis and SKYACTIV-Body for the allnew Mazda 6 were aiming to make this experience as exhilarating as possible.
Their efforts paid off with evolved sporty handling - agile yet stable - that puts the driver in absolute control of the car. The lightweight yet highly rigid body only serves to support the strengths of its advanced powertrains while providing occupants with segment-leading crash protection. It's a new dimension of driving pleasure perceptible after only 100 metres, and a feeling that will endure for tens of thousands of kilometres to come.
Mazda has striven in recent years to balance the fundamentally contradictory characteristics of refined, supple motion and light, agile motion. To enhance the linear connection between the driver and basic vehicle functions like accelerating, turning and stopping. To turn the car into an extension of its driver. So Mazda took the SKYACTIV-Chassis first introduced on the Mazda CX-5 - an SUV with unprecedented passenger-car handling - and optimised it for the longer wheelbase, lighter weight, lower centre of gravity and low rolling resistance tires of its CDsegment flagship.
Reliable responsiveness
The all-new Mazda 6 offers a fertile foundation indeed for the SKYACTIV-Chassis: From the exceptional low to medium speed agility and high-speed straight-line stability, the SKYACTIV-Chassis always delivers a faithful response to steering input from the driver. Road feedback is immediate, with gently increasing roll so that no steering adjustment is required in a curve. Yet, befitting for Mazda's top model, occupants can enjoy a relaxing, comfortable drive regardless of distance.
The column-type electric power assist steering system features a class-leading 14.2 gear ratio for agile steering without having to change hand positions on the steering wheel. This makes winding roads more fun and urban driving less tiresome. A range of sensors, meanwhile, feed data to the system, which it uses to adjust steering sensitivity for nimbleness at lower speeds while suppressing disturbances for better stability on rough roads and at high speeds. The larger caster angle on the front wheels also supports highspeed stability.
Finely-tuned suspension
A key "link" in the agility-stability balance, the Mazda 6's rear multi-link suspension also ensures the superior ride comfort obligatory in this segment. Mazda found the best possible combination between rear suspension link positions and bushing characteristics to deliver more grip, raising the shock absorber mounts to reduce rear suspension impacts. This also prevents the back of the vehicle from rising when braking. The rear dampers are inclined to better absorb vibrations, while the front and rear cross members were redesigned to enhance rigidity while also reducing their weight. The SKYACTIVChassis on the all-new Mazda 6 is thus lighter than the current model's. As for stopping, the added chassis stability reduces braking distances. Here the shorter brake pedal stroke helps, giving the driver better control, as does the optimised cooling of the brake disks. As a result, the all-new Mazda 6 brakes more consistently than ever in all situations, with segment-leading stopping distances.
SKYACTIV strength
SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY is clearly about achieving the best possible balances, and the SKYACTIV-Body is no exception. Just like the SKYACTIV-Chassis, the focus here was to boost strength and stiffness while shedding kilograms. High and ultra-high tensile steels accomplish both, so Mazda uses them on 20 % more of the body by weight than the current model. Other measures include the highly rigid injection-moulded foam filling used to strengthen body joints without adding structural members, cutting door weight for example by 15 %. Even the glass on the windscreen and tailgate weighs less.
The all-new Mazda 6 is therefore lighter yet has 30 % and 45 % more torsional rigidity, respectively, than the current sedan and wagon. It's quieter and more aerodynamic, too, with a target drag coefficient of 0.26.
While lighter, sleeker bodies support better handling and fuel economy - cornerstones of Mazda's Sustainable Zoom-Zoom strategy - stiffer bodies are, of course, safer. Especially in combination with impact-absorbing structural modifications to disperse crash energy outside the cabin along load paths and replace curved structures with straight, continuous sections wherever possible.
NVH - Uniquely peaceful
Mazda was clearly aiming to make the cabin on its new flagship as tranquil as possible, minimising noise, vibration and harshness. To do so, engineers adopted the pathway blockage and absorption concepts successfully implemented on the Mazda CX-5 to shelter the cabin from road and engine noise. The results are perhaps even more impressive on the all-new Mazda 6.
Aerodynamics - A cutting-edge
The primary aerodynamic concept guiding designers of the all-new Mazda 6 was to minimise drag by enhancing the shape of the floor to strike the best possible balance between underfloor and upper body airflow.
Mazda used covers for the engine base and centre floor, among other things, along with extended front tire deflectors to smoothen airflow underneath the car. The main exhaust silencer also helps improve aerodynamics by guiding the flow of air upwards. The roof angle (and D-pillar angle on the wagon) along with the spoilers, meanwhile, were also optimised. And the all-new Mazda 6 is, in fact, as aerodynamic as it looks. The remarkably low drag coefficient, with a target cd values of 0.26 for the sedan and 0.28 for the wagon, is one of the lowest in its class. This only helps to further improve highspeed stability and, of course, fuel economy.
Sustainable Zoom-Zoom: more than just talk
In this day and age, even fun cars need to be environmentally friendly. That's why Mazda put the "Sustainable" into Sustainable Zoom-Zoom. Sustainable Zoom-Zoom is a building block strategy focused on significantly improving vehicle efficiency, firstly by developing base technology - see SKYACTIV - and then successively adding auxiliary systems like i-stop and i-ELOOP to achieve ambitious fuel economy objectives. Mazda meticulously examines every structure and material on a vehicle to eliminate every possible gram. Recyclability is also an important issue. Today, 80 % (by weight) of the materials used to manufacture cars are already recycled. These are mostly metals like iron and aluminium, so Mazda is looking at the remaining 20 % - primarily plastics and glass - and developing initiatives to make these components easier to identify and dismantle.
For example, the company uses recycling-friendly polypropylene, a thermoplastic resin, on the all-new Mazda 6's front and rear bumpers as well as the instrument panel and trim. And it's phasing out harmful materials, eliminating lead, cadmium and chromium hexavalent on all new Mazdas.
Mazda's lifecycle assessment process confirms that it has successfully reduced the Mazda 6's emissions of CO2, a greenhouse gas, as well as nitrogen and sulphur oxides (NOx and SOx), which cause acid rain. Mazda is also working to cut the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in its vehicle interiors and was the first automaker to adopt low-VOC sealants, paints and adhesives for the cabin. It all proves how seriously Mazda is committed to minimising its environmental impact - with no compromises.
SAFETY High-Tech Guardians
At Mazda, safety is an integral element of driving pleasure and Sustainable Zoom-Zoom. In fact, the company's Proactive Safety philosophy sets it apart with a range of safety features that help drivers under a wide range of conditions. In the all-new Mazda 6, as with all new generation Mazdas, safety is driver focused.
Rather than simply letting systems intervene and take over control of the vehicle, Mazda's concept is to give drivers more "eyes", enabling them to be more aware of their surroundings and more alert to hazards at all times. With the latest in active safety technology, drivers of the all-new Mazda 6 are much better able to proactively avert accidents. And when one is unavoidable, the car provides maximum protection to occupants and pedestrians alike, in many cases even limiting vehicle damage. The car becomes an extension of its driver, also when it comes to safety, for an appropriately satisfying driving experience.
I-ACTIVSENSE technology
i-ACTIVSENSE is what Mazda calls its driver-supporting range of sensor-based safety devices, many of which can be found on the all-new Mazda 6.
Two active safety systems making their European debut on the all-new Mazda 6 are Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC), which maintains a safe distance from the preceding vehicle, and Smart Brake Support (SBS), which includes Distance Recognition Support and Forward Obstruction Warning. SBS both complements and supplements Smart City Brake Support, a system that made its Mazda premiere on the CX-5.
High Beam Control System, also first seen on the CX-5, automatically switches between low and high beams to avoid impairing the vision of other motorists. And the Adaptive Front-lighting System helps drivers see around curves at night - when the majority of fatal accidents occur - predicting the course of the road ahead based on driver steering input and directing the headlamps accordingly. The Lane Departure Warning System and Rear Vehicle Monitoring are two more perspective-enhancing highlights of the all-new Mazda 6. LDWS monitors the lane markings on the road, providing audible and visual alerts when it detects an unintentional lane change at 65 km/h or higher. RVM, meanwhile, keeps an eye on the blind spots, informing the driver via LEDs in the appropriate side mirror of vehicles approaching from behind in adjacent lanes. Should the driver signal to change lanes, a buzzer sounds and the LEDs start to blink. RVM works at speeds as low as 30 km/h.
Proactively alert
And for vehicles travelling directly behind the Mazda flagship, there's the Emergency Stop Signal, which rapidly flashes the four-way hazard lights during heavy braking from speeds of at least 50 km/h. It switches on the hazards at normal frequency, too, at 10 km/h or less to notify other drivers when the vehicle is about to stop. Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) The all-new Mazda 6 is also equipped with Hill Launch Assist, which controls brake pressure for smooth hill starts, and of course all the latest generation of automated vehicle safety systems, including ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, brake assist, dynamic stability control and traction control. And with a cockpit and human machine interface (HMI) designed to enhance visibility, the driver is in the perfect position to take full advantage of these systems.
Clearly there's no such thing as 100 % security, and all this active safety technology won't necessarily help drivers prevent every accident. But should one occur, the all-new Mazda 6 was designed to provide the utmost in occupant protection.
In a safer place
Passive safety - what counts during an accident - starts with the SKYACTIV-Body. Lightweight but rigid thanks among other things to all the high-tensile steels, it efficiently absorbs impacts from all directions and /or disperses crash energy to keep cabin deformation to a minimum.
Frontal impact forces, for example, are absorbed by crush cans in the engine compartment and channelled through the SKYACTIV-Body's multi-load paths. To create a larger crumple zone, the front suspension cross-members are designed to detach from their mountings. And milder frontal collisions (up to 15 km/h) are absorbed by easy-to-replace bolted-on parts, preventing damage to the front frame and engine components. This makes subsequent repairs far more economical.
Side impact safety is taken care of by Mazda's "triple-H" cage structure around the cabin, which has been strengthened by linking roof members, B-pillars and underbody members in uninterrupted ring structures. While added spot welds hold these structures together at the joints for greater shock resistance, the size, shapes and strength of pillars and bars were enhanced to prevent the cabin from deforming. The B-pillars and door impact bars, for example, are made from ultrahigh tensile steel. And to help protect occupants by absorbing and dispersing crash energy during a rear-end collision, Mazda improved the cross-sectional shape of the rear frame, joining it to the B-frame and straightening underbody members. Designers were able to limit the protrusion of the rear bumper by giving it an innovative reinforcing cross shape, which can absorb more force over a shorter crumple space. The all-new Mazda 6 thus delivers worldclass safety with no need to compromise on the KODO design's beauty.
Ingeniouslysecure inside
The interior, too, is built for better-than-ever occupant protection. That's why interior components and trim were redesigned. Other improvements include front and rear door armrests that split during a side impact to soften contact with occupants. High-tensile steel, meanwhile, was added to the rear seatback and its connections and mounts strengthened to reinforce cabin integrity and prevent luggage intrusion. Mazda advanced the anti-whiplash design of the front seats with reinforced head rests, seatbacks and seat lifters to restrict movement and rotation of the head, chest and hips during an accident. Shear and tensile loads on the neck are as a result among the best in the segment for front occupants of the all-new Mazda 6. And the optimised seats are still comfortable, also weighing less than those in the current model. In addition to standard front, side and curtain airbags, the front seatbelts combine pretensioners to tighten the belts during a frontal accident and load limiters to avoid excessive pressure on the chest. The smallest passengers also get the best possible protection, thanks to ISOFIX connections with top tether anchors for quick and secure child seat installation.
Protecting those outside
While steadily improving automobile safety has led to a sharp decline in occupant deaths over the past decades, the proportion of pedestrian fatalities has grown. Reflecting this, EuroNCAP ratings now incorporate stricter criteria for pedestrian impacts. Always striving to stay ahead of the game, Mazda adopted several measures to better protect pedestrians. These include bonnet hinges that yield downwards (vertically) to help prevent head injuries, but without diminishing their longitudinal (or horizontal) strength, which inhibits the bonnet from moving back towards the cabin. The low bonnet on the all-new Mazda 6 makes it difficult to build in deep enough crumple zones above the front suspension towers, so Mazda used a special material here along with a new structure for the fender brackets. As a result, they crush during an accident to absorb the impact from a pedestrian, yet still resist deformation if someone leans on them.
The body cowl was also optimised to soften any blows to the head, improving NVH at the same time within the limited space available. Finally, the energy-absorbing foam used on the front bumper reinforcing member better protects pedestrian legs, with a "stiffener" added to stop the legs from becoming trapped underneath the car. And since all these features are hidden, they don't detract from the Mazda 6's good looks.
It all adds up to world-class crash safety, proven by the exhaustive testing undertaken on the all-new Mazda 6. Mazda went the extra mile, subjecting its flagship to a wider range of collision situations than regulations require, including side and offset front and rear impacts. The new model should therefore comply with even the most stringent crash test safety rating criteria around the world.
Mazda Radar Cruise Control
Changing traffic conditions can be stressful and tiring for drivers, particularly over longer distances and periods of time. But not with Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC), which debuts in Europe on the all-new Mazda 6. The system uses a radar sensor in the front grille to monitor preceding vehicles and maintain a safe trailing distance, automatically controlling the speed and brakes as necessary.
The driver can choose from four distance settings, enabling the system to flexibly accommodate changing traffic flows, when for example a flowing motorway turns congested, significantly shortening trailing distances. MRCC functions from speeds of 30 km/h all the way up to 200 km/h and only shuts off if the car is travelling less than 20 km/h. So it can be engaged on a high-speed motorway, automatically adjusting speed as needed, then decelerate on a steeply-curved exit ramp, and remain in operation following a vehicle accelerating down the next road. MRCC detects vehicles at distances as far as 140 m and, being radar based, can "see" through rain, darkness and blinding sunlight.
Smart Brake Support
According to EuroNCAP, 90 % of road accidents are caused by distracted or inattentive drivers. Vehicles with autonomous emergency braking systems, however, have up to 27 % fewer accidents, considerably reducing injuries. That is why EuroNCAP will include assessments of these systems in their vehicle safety ratings starting in 2014. With the combination of Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) and Smart Brake Support (SBS), the all-new Mazda 6 is already geared up for the future.
Like MRCC, SBS utilises the radar sensor in the front grille to monitor preceding vehicles at a range of up to 140 m. It works together with the Distance Recognition Support System (DRSS), a feature that calculates the "catch-up" time to other cars based on speed and distance, and the related Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW), which alerts the drivers to a potential collision using a warning sound and unmistakable "BRAKE" light in the 3.5-inch display next to the speedometer. SBS, which functions from 15-145 km/h, helps to prevent or at least reduce the severity of a rear impact with a preceding vehicle, even at elevated speeds.
Averting accidents entirely
SBS is thereby the perfect partner for SCBS, a system first introduced on the CX-5. SCBS uses a near-infrared sensor on the windshield to monitor preceding vehicles up to 6 m away at low speeds (4-30 km/h). Like SBS, if this system perceives an increased risk of a collision, it pre-fills the brakes to eliminate play, automatically applying them if the danger persists without any evasive response by the driver. Otherwise, the pre-fill is cancelled.
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