Mazda calls its turbocharged, all-wheel-drive MazdaSpeed6 "the fastest accelerating, best handling and most advanced sports sedan Mazda has ever built.''
That's a mouthful from Japan's Mazda, a strong Ford Motor affiliate. But the roomy, comfortable 2006 MazdaSpeed6 lives up to that description and is Mazda's ultimate "Zoom-Zoom'' sedan. It has such features as a turbocharged, intercooled 274-horsepower engine with stronger components, sport suspension, big alloy wheels and sleek, lowered body with racy styling touches.
The new MazdaSpeed6 is a high-performance version of the mid-size Mazda6 sedan, introduced for 2003. The Mazda6 is one of the automaker's highest volume cars. Ford Motor's new Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr sedans even share basic architecture with the Mazda6.
Mazda is one of financially struggling Ford Motor's few bright spots -- the Japanese automaker's U.S. auto sales rose to 179,663 units through the first 11 months this year from 173,214 in the same 2004 period, despite this year's lagging vehicle market.
The MazdaSpeed6 was developed by Mazda's MazdaSpeed Motorsports Development racing division. The Mazda6 has a unibody with above-average rigidity. But MazdaSpeed Motorsports added a cross brace behind the rear seats and a strong cross-body beam under the dashboard, while also beefing up other parts of the car to make it stronger. However, the MazdaSpeed6 isn't hard-edged like the "bad-boy'' Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Subaru Impreza WRX STI.
The 3,589-pound MazdaSpeed6 is for an audience that wants more luxury and comfort without sacrificing much performance.
The special Mazda is larger and roomier than the Lancer "Evo'' and WRX STI. The front cabin is spacious, with good driver visibility, easily read backlit gauges, supportive seats, lots of dashboard ventilation vents, nicely placed controls and striking two-tone leather trim. Three tall adults comfortably fit in back, if on the slender side.
A keyless entry and start system in the high-line Grand Touring version lets a driver access the car and start the engine without producing a key if he has a thin credit-card-sized device on his person. The ignition is activated by turning a notchy steering column switch, which is a little hard to reach. Another annoyance is nagging fasten-seatbelt warning chimes, which never let up until seat belts are fastened. Of course, belts should be fastened, but most seatbelt warning devices don't nag nearly as much.
A friendlier feature is automatic down-and-up operation of all side windows, which is the first time such a system has been put on a Mazda in this country.
The large trunk has a low, wide opening. Its lid has a deep inside plastic-lined grip that lets it be closed without getting hands dirty on the outside metal. The lid pops up smoothly on hydraulic struts, although the hood is held open with a prop rod that's awkward.
"The MazdaSpeed6 looks fast, but not furious,'' Mazda says. The car is easily recognizable as a Mazda6, but looks swifter and more distinctive, with a new fascia, hood, front fenders, headlights, side skirts, rear fascia and taillights.
Every special item is functional. For instance, the hood has a subtle bulge to clear the intercooler atop the engine and a cleverly integrated hood scoop. The scoop feeds cold outside air to the 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine's power-enhancing turbocharger. There's no prominent "boy racer'' hood scoop, as found on the Evolution and WRX STI, and the MazdaSpeed6 small rear spoiler is nicely integrated with the trunk lid.
Front fenders are aggressively flared to clear the large 18-inch wheels and wide 45-series tires. A revised rear bumper has built-in slots for the twin tailpipes.
The engine has virtually no turbo lag because it's one of the first direct-fuel-injection, turbocharged gasoline engines offered in America. It provides swift starts and quick merging and passing while working with a close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox that's precise but works with a stiff clutch. There's no automatic transmission because Mazda thinks the car is too sporty for an automatic.
A driver need not shift a lot for good performance because the turbocharger delivers much of its boost from about 2,500 rpm and the sophisticated engine delivers 280 pound-feet of torque at only 3,000 rpm. Even sixth gear allows an acceptable 65-75 mph passing time, without a downshift to fifth or fourth gears, although those gears help provide noticeably faster passing times. Fuel economy is an estimated 20 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway.
Premium fuel is recommended.
The supple suspension has higher spring rates and larger diameter stabilizer bars for sharper handling. It swallows bumps, but occasionally becomes a bit jerky on expressways. The accurate engine-speed-sensing power steering is a little heavy, but provides good feel and feedback. Braking is strong, with beefed-up components.
The standard, new all-wheel-drive system provides a good balance between driving kicks and stability under various road conditions, with prodigious levels of road grip. Mazda says the system can react to wheel slippage more quickly than conventional gear- or fluid-controlled systems.
Also, a torque-sensing limited-slip differential optimizes engine torque and ensures good power delivery when cornering or on slippery surfaces. A Power Take Off center differential distributes torque to the rear axle to ensure constant power delivery under all weather and driving conditions.
One might assume such a sophisticated car would cost $30,000-$35,000. But the MazdaSpeed6 lists at $27,995 in Sport trim and at $29,925 in Grand Touring form.
The Sport version is well-equipped, with such items as automatic climate control and a Bose seven-speaker, 200-watt sound system. The Grand Touring model adds such items as leather-trimmed seats in either black or a special black-and-white finish with eight-way power adjustment for the driver's seat. Front seats are heated.
The Grand Touring can be had with a $700 optional electric sunroof, and both trim levels can be had with a $2,000 navigation system.
As for safety items, both versions have standard dual front side-impact air bags, head-protecting side air curtains and whiplash-reducing front headrests. Rear doors have child locks and a LATCH system for mounting child safety seats.
Among the car's six unique colors is "Velocity Red Mica,'' although my test car's Titanium Gray Metallic seemed more fitting. As Mazda says, the MazdaSpeed6 is "no in-your-face street racer.''
2006 MAZDASPEED6
PRICES
$27,995-$29,925
LIKES
Fast. Roomy. Comfortable. Sharp handling. All-wheel drive.
DISLIKES
Awkward keyless start feature. Stiff clutch. Occasional jerky ride. |