2014 Mazda6 - General Discussion

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RocZX
From a ceremony in Japan to commemorate the start of the production of the new Mazda 6
Carscoop

2014-Mazda6-Wagon-1.jpg


Click HERE for full size image




It looks sexy :drool:
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If you squint it looks like a poor mans Rapide.:)
 
Can you get it without the frills? :p

I like the sedan, but personally, I wish the wagon had the less-sleek, M-Coupe/Shoe type look or profile to it.
 
I will wait for this wagon. Still looks like it needs to be rwd.
 
Not to be the first one to nitpick, but if this is the actual interior design:

2014mazda6interior.jpg


Nav screen does look small, doesn't it?

Nevertheless, the exterior design is daring and purposeful, and packing economic SkyActiv engines, Mazda finally appear to have made a true competitor for the big boys.

Not bad.
 
Do we know for a fact that it is FWD? Maybe Mazda will throw us a rwd curveball? One can hope/pray/sacrifice farm animals.
 
Taillights: I wonder if Hyundai (Sonata) will ask them to change/sue/follow up with something. I have a hard time thinking that Mazda came up with Hyundai taillights by accident. This following raving reviews about the styling of the new Sonatas, and increasing popularity.


Honestly, I'm a fan of both companies, and I hope that it gets worked out peacefully.
 
Everybody copies everybody, these days. I haven't paid attention to either taillights, but I'd be surprised if they were close enough to go to court over it.

As for the rear-wheel-drive, I heard that 2013 is indeed a RWD. Also, there is a pig that would fly out of the truck/hatch.
 
Honestly with the way cars are designed now days, people pointing out that cars looking similar to other cars in certain details or in whole is getting really tiring. We're at a point in car design that you're going to find at least one feature of every car that is similar to something else. Get used to it. No use in pointing it out.
 
a6m5
As for the rear-wheel-drive, I heard that 2013 is indeed a RWD. Also, there is a pig that would fly out of the truck/hatch.
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I've heard time and time again, that, as part of the "Skyactiv" name thing, they're trying to get the most fun, out of the least fuel. The best way: save weight, make FR, and offer manual. This should be a good car. I mean, everyone knows that it's more fun to drive a lightweight, FR manual, right? (yes, I'm referring to the years and years of MX-5s, that are still good cars, the FR-S/GT86/AE86/, and TVR... :)
 
The thing is, 90% of the buying public doesn't care about that. And that's why car makers offer more than one model. You want RWD, buy a Miata.
 
R1600Turbo
The thing is, 90% of the buying public doesn't care about that. And that's why car makers offer more than one model. You want RWD, buy a Miata.
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But, making fun cars that aren't gas guzzlers is somewhat tricky, sometimes. Ah, we all just need to get an old (original) Mini. :)


But, the point remains, I wouldn't be opposed to the RWD, either, because it brings the fun factor up one more notch. After driving an FF car in Autocross, with all-season tires, I know about all of the many problems with FF.
 
MrMelancholy15
I've heard time and time again, that, as part of the "Skyactiv" name thing, they're trying to get the most fun, out of the least fuel. The best way: save weight, make FR, and offer manual. This should be a good car. I mean, everyone knows that it's more fun to drive a lightweight, FR manual, right? (yes, I'm referring to the years and years of MX-5s, that are still good cars, the FR-S/GT86/AE86/, and TVR... :)
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I can totally respect that. I think you are missing the largest obstacle for this to happen though: Cost.

Midsize sedan is one of the most competitive segment of the U.S. auto market, and low MSRP is absolutely critical. If Mazda can muster up lower priced RWD midsize sedan, undoubtedly, it would be the talk of the town. However, it's debatable if that would actually lead to increased sales, as American midsize sedan buyers love FWD.

Mazda FWD already has reputation as fun, good handling cars as it is. Add advantage of superior all-season capability, like in rain & snow, while it draws new customers in, it might actually end up driving some of the existing customers away.

Edit: Don't get me wrong. If they came up with a RWD Mazda 6 that was low priced, I'd be in love with that thing. And if there was a lot of snow on the ground, I can just take a day off from work. :p
 
a6m5
Edit: Don't get me wrong. If they came up with a RWD Mazda 6 that was low priced, I'd be in love with that thing. And if there was a lot of snow on the ground, I can just take a day off from work. :p
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Not saying that I want a Mazda FT-86, BUT... :sly: Maybe they could offer it as an option of both drivetrains, and an AWD layout. It makes me wonder, why Mazda's never really given Rally a thought.


As you can tell, I have a vivid imagination. :sly: I'm proud of it, too.
 
MrMelancholy15
Not saying that I want a Mazda FT-86, BUT... :sly: Maybe they could offer it as an option of both drivetrains, and an AWD layout. It makes me wonder, why Mazda's never really given Rally a thought.


As you can tell, I have a vivid imagination. :sly: I'm proud of it, too.
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One thing to wish such things, but you have to remember that Mazda is a small company. They got ambitious once, and it damnnear drove then under until Ford Motor Company came to the rescue.

I'm sure the staff at Mazda agrees with much of your automotive philosophy, but bottom line, they must make financially sound decisions with their products.
 
a6m5
I'm sure the staff at Mazda agrees with much of your automotive philosophy, but bottom line, they must make financially sound decisions with their products.
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It's a sad reality. Oh well, it still looks nice.
 
Unfortunately, efficiency and RWD simply don't mix. Not for grocery-getters or for family sedans.

The issue with your autocrosser isn't just FWD... it's down to the all-seasons you had on and likely your suspension alignment. I've driven rear-wheel drive sedans on tight autocross courses, too, and they drive much the same way... push... push... push...

A Mazda6 already drives a whole lot better than most midsizers. Even with front-wheel drive. Maybe a rear-wheel drive 6 would drive much better, but the compromises in cabin space (you'll need to move the front firewall back to pull the engine backwards for better weight distribution... and the transmission tunnel will eat into leg-room), weight and fuel efficiency aren't going to help sell the car... especially as the previous Mazda6 was already close to the low-side of the curve in terms of space compared to such humongoids as the Accord and the Camry.
 
niky
A Mazda6 already drives a whole lot better than most midsizers. Even with front-wheel drive. Maybe a rear-wheel drive 6 would drive much better, but the compromises in cabin space (you'll need to move the front firewall back to pull the engine backwards for better weight distribution...
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Wow. Yet another thing I failed to consider, among my "dreaming."
 
Car design is only part-engineering. Market demands and customer expectations are what shape most cars on the road today. Otherwise, we could all be driving around mid-engined four-door diesel wagons... With manual transmissions. More's the pity.
 
niky
Car design is only part-engineering. Market demands and customer expectations are what shape most cars on the road today. Otherwise, we could all be driving around mid-engined four-door diesel wagons... With manual transmissions. More's the pity.
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All of the Renault Clio V6s are now 4 door diesels. :lol: :sly: :crazy:
 
How many bodies you think'd fit in the back of that wagon?

I'm Italian so I can't ask this in person.
 

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