Mazda muscle

Malaysian Business, Mar 1, 2007 by Muhd Razif

PRECISION is the word - the degree of attention to detail that characterises the new Mazda6. You might not notice there's a 1.5-mm gap which separates the headlamp unit from the front bumper, and another similar gap where the rear bumper meets the rear fender. This may be pure sales banter to the prospective buyer but even if you are the world's worst cynic, that claim does stand up to scrutiny. A claim that genuine, therefore, puts the new Mazda6 on the same level with competing luxury makes - QED! Why the need for the gap? Nothing technical - just that in the world of automotive makeovers; a few millimeters shaved here or there is the equivalent of a botox boost for its driver!

Styling * If you had shunned the previous Mazda6 for its `softie' stance, then the new Mazda6 has upped the ante by being more macho. From the rear, the twin exhaust with square-capped tips let out a sporty roar enough to impress anyone caught in its wake. The large lamp cluster with circular red stoplights clearly announces its presence. It sports an aggressive front grille that is recessed and flaunts a prominent bumper. A curvey bonnet and stout rear gives it its sporty disposition. The side profile, meanwhile, traces a muscular outline from fender to rear sill.

MB rating: ****

Interior * It is the five-speed `auto-manual' transmission called Activematic that gives the new Mazda6 its novelty value. Stick the transmission in `D' and the display panel on the dashboard indicates to the driver the gear that has been automatically selected. You'll learn there are five gears. Flick it left and you get to choose the gear you want, and perfect for traversing up or down the snakey route to Genting without exhausting your brake pads too.

The cushioning is angled to be more supportive of the backs and seats of the occupants. It gives rather good shoulder and knee room for both front- and rear-seaters.

MB rating: ****

Engine & Performance * Powering the Mazda6 is the tried-and- trusted, four-cylinder, in-line double overhead camshaft 16-valve engine. It features Mazda's S-VT (Sequential Valve Timing), which adjusts valve timing according to engine speed and air intake so the engine operates with greater efficiency. It also has VIS (Variable Intake System) which varies the length of the intake manifold according to engine speed to optimise charging efficiency and maximise torque across the entire speed range.

MB rating: ****

Ride & Handling * The cushy and comfy ride in the Mazda6 is down to solid engineering. It employs unique mode control panels in the floor, which contain circular depressions that vibrate out of phase to cancel intruding noise that keeps the cabin quiet. There is also sound insulation in 18 spots and a new engine mounting to flush out noise. Suspension is by way of double wishbone at the front and multilink system at the rear. The double-wishbone layout minimises negative input, while the low-profile rear springs and angled dampers minimise vibration intrusion into the interior.

It further incorporates thicker B-pillar reinforcements that enhance handling.

MB rating: ****

Safety * A unique safety structural design has given the Mazda body the MAIDAS (Mazda Advance Impact Distribution and Absorption System) touch. It provides for high-strength front and rear crushable zones that absorb impact energy through a rigid `triple-H' structure. This forms a safety cage around the passenger compartment.

In a front or side collision, impact energy is absorbed and channeled throughout the entire body, away from the passenger cage. A straight large-section rear frame soaks up energy from a collision to keep passengers protected and safe.

MB rating: ****

Value for money * What the Mazda6 has going for it on top of all the `goodies' it offers is its CBU tag. You know the car is in demand as it has won tonnes of awards all over the world, so much so that it carries the tag of the `Most Awarded Car' by major motoring publications.

Its refined engine makes running it comparable to the competition, as it gives well over 350km with a quarter tank still left unspent. You can expect a lot better residual value in your used Mazda6 as the people at Cycle & Carriage might up the price once the first consignment is exhausted.

MB rating: ****

Conclusion * The Mazda brand has often been said to suffer from a less- than-conspicuous presence of other more established brands in the local market. The Mazda division of Cycle & Carriage, which operates from an impressive location along the Federal Highway in Petaling Jaya, has made great strides to address this issue. Speak to the marketing team and you'd revel in the drive and enthusiasm in bringing the latest models and pricing them competitively to attract a critical mass of buyers. With all the marketing push by the local team acting in concert with its principal from Japan, the Mazda6 is seen as a credible challenge to the established likes of the Toyota Camry or the upstart Sorento in the middling 2-litre to 2.5-litre executive class sedans.