2008 Mazda 6: Prototype Spotting

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Next-Gen Mazda 6 Caught in Testing

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Well, the cladding isn't letting us see much, but early views of what you can see leads me to believe it will be an attractive car... Probably taking styling bits and pieces from the Mazda2 and CX-7.

I like the current Mazda 6, as my Mother nearly bought one not too long ago. Here's to hoping that this builds on the current car, and improves it further...
 
^ Looks like it has a Mazdaspeed 6 wheels on the mule that they're testing there. As always, Mazda designs their cars really well. The rear-end kinda mimicks the 3, and hey LED tails! (:
 
With the success of the current Mazda 6, I'm not expecting them to radically alter the appearance for the next generation. Seems to have good proportions though, wide bonnet, short tail. I always thought the dual exhaust was a bit much for a modestly tuned 4 cylinder, but certainly gives the tail a bit more style. I wonder what they'll do to improve the MPS/Mazdaspeed version, hopefully a wagon.
 
Looks great! Can't wait to see it without all the camo.
 
The new 6 should once again show that sporty sedans just aren't sporty enough. :sly:
 
Next gen Mazda 6? The thing came out in 2003. Way to get on it Mazda.

Saab 9-5 debuts for '98. Six years later Mazda comes out with the 6. Bets on which gets redesigned first?
 
I'm betting on a mostly superficial design (mostly outside, not that it's really needed), but hoping for a much-improved Mazdaspeed6. I think the #1 problem with the MPS6 is that it underdelivered. On paper, it seemed like a competitor to the WRX and base-spec Evo, but delivered a much more A4-like drive, only without the Audi-level luxury and build quality. I'm hoping they go further down the Evo route, since I'm sure they can do it quite well.

Overall, it seems like Mazda's holding back on really attacking the sports-car segment. The RX-8 is fun, but not thrilling; the MX-5 and MPS cars are the same way (unless torque-steer is what you're looking for). They need to bring their MPS cars up from 7 to at least a 9 (assuming an Evo MR is a 10), and their regular cars from 5 to 7.

And then release a new RX-7 at 11. :D
 
Well, the 9-5 has seen a bit of a redesign. Killed the car, though. Saab is past their heyday.

I hope this car is really good. Mazda is really the best branch of Ford right now, and really seem to be doing well during this time of automotive slump. Let's see them put this success into action to make great cars and not become victim to its own success.
 
Personally, the one thing that Mazda needs is the sporties full sized sedan on the market.... Mazda 9? Same platform as the new S80? MPS would have a v8.... :drool:
 
philly cheese
Well, the 9-5 has seen a bit of a redesign. Killed the car, though. Saab is past their heyday.
Click to expand...

Saab's heyday was June 9, 1947, the day before the first car rolled off the assembly line.

Toronado
Apart from pretty much every RX-7 still in use, no Mazda has ever had a V8 engine.
Click to expand...

No Volvo or Saab had used a V8 until recently, as well...

Anything's possible! Aside from Saab producing a good product.
 
philly cheese
Well, the 9-5 has seen a bit of a redesign.
Click to expand...
A redesign is when a car is thoroughly reengineered. The 9-5 barely has a facelift.
M5Power
No Volvo or Saab had used a V8 until recently, as well...
Click to expand...
Well, the Volvo V8 was first used in an SUV. And the Saab with the V8 was about as much of a Saab as the Chevrolet Cobalt is.
M5Power
Anything's possible! Aside from Saab producing a good product.
Click to expand...
250px-Saab_9-3.jpg
 
harrytuttle
I'm betting on a mostly superficial design (mostly outside, not that it's really needed), but hoping for a much-improved Mazdaspeed6. I think the #1 problem with the MPS6 is that it underdelivered. On paper, it seemed like a competitor to the WRX and base-spec Evo, but delivered a much more A4-like drive, only without the Audi-level luxury and build quality. I'm hoping they go further down the Evo route, since I'm sure they can do it quite well.

Overall, it seems like Mazda's holding back on really attacking the sports-car segment. The RX-8 is fun, but not thrilling; the MX-5 and MPS cars are the same way (unless torque-steer is what you're looking for). They need to bring their MPS cars up from 7 to at least a 9 (assuming an Evo MR is a 10), and their regular cars from 5 to 7.

And then release a new RX-7 at 11. :D
Click to expand...

From what I understand, we're getting a revamped exterior (but not radically different) based on a reworked version of its current platform. The new version that will sit beneath the 6, as I understand it, will also be the basis of the new S60 and the next X-Type.

As far as an MPS model goes, I wouldn't put it too far beyond Mazda to do something better this time. Certainly as a performance model the current MPS is a gem, but it didn't live up to expectations, and you often get the feeling that you're overpaying for the car... I'd venture a guess that they would go the turbocharged I4 and AWD route again, but a high-power V6, or maybe a turbocharged V6 would be a novel idea as well.
 

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