October 25, 2004

Mazdaspeed6, 2004 Paris Motor Show. Click image to enlarge

Preview:
Mazdaspeed6
Story and photos by Paul Williams

With the successful and recent launch of the Mazda3 sedan and GT, the Mazda6 - in station wagon, five-door hatch and sedan versions - the radical Mazda RX-8, and the upcoming Mazda5 in June 2005, you'd think this busy company might take a break for a while.

But when you're on a roll...

The car is designed to optimize handling, stability, acceleration and braking performance for the Mazda6, and establishes the top-end for the model.

"It's the most powerful Mazda ever," says Mazda marketing chief Steve Odell.

Built in Japan (unlike the Mazda6, which is assembled in the U.S.) the car will be powered by a 2.3-litre direct-injection turbocharged engine making 256-horsepower. Challenging the "no replacement for displacement" dictum, this small engine will also produce 280 lbs.-ft. of torque @ 3,000 r.p.m., propelling the car from 0-100 km/h in 6.6 seconds, and to a top speed of 240 km/h (European specs).

Interior photo: Mazda. Click images to enlarge

Some may consider the use of a four-cylinder engine - as opposed to a six or eight cylinder, or maybe a rotary - in a limited edition sports sedan as a risky choice. Mazda executives explain that they wanted to work on their own engine, rather than the "corporate" 3.0-litre V6 that was not developed in-house.

Indeed, other companies are now using four-cylinder engines to great effect in high-performance applications (like Subaru in its 250-horsepower Legacy GT and Honda's 240 horsepower S2000).

A custom six-speed manual is the only available transmission, and no automatic is planned at this stage.

While the Mazdaspeed6 is recognizable as a variation of the Mazda6, certain exterior modifications are unique to the car. The hood is 45 mm taller than the standard Mazda6, in order to accommodate the induction system that channels air from the five-point upper grille to the turbo intercooler.

Because the hood is raised, the fenders acquire shoulders that also distinguish the front of the car, giving it a more muscular front end. The 18" aluminum wheels are specific to the Mazdaspeed6.

At the rear, an aerodynamic bumper integrates a diffuser for the dual exhaust system, and a compact rear lip spoiler sits on the decklid.

Ornamentation is kept to the minimum, as Mazda strives for a look of sophistication and restraint, rather than tuner-type body cladding and graphics.

The signature colour, Moist Silver Metallic is new and exclusive to this model. The colour is designed to express the "elegant simplicity" found in Japanese ink paintings, according to Mazda. Nuances of colour reflect when viewed from different angles and in different settings.

Says Mazda Canada chief of marketing Greg Young, "Mazda's reason for making this car is to show what we can do; that 'zoom zoom' isn't just something we talk about."

The Mazdaspeed6 will be available in Canada in March/April 2005. Pricing will be announced closer to launch date.

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Paul Williams is an Ottawa-based freelance automotive writer and senior writer for CanadianDriver.