The all new Mazda6 advertising campaign will soon penetrate your airwaves if it already hasn't. Mazda is stepping up it's advertising in a big way to promote it's new mid sized sedan even in the wake of the economic struggles this fall.
Many Mazda dealerships are devoting landing pages or separate websites to the new Mazda6. Jeff Sikes Mazda is one dealership that is rolling the dice on the new Mazda6. They have a new landing page and four unique urls dedicated to the landing page.
Many manufacturers will assuredly dial back their advertising budgets in order to reduce their potential losses during these difficult times. We applaud Mazda for making a conserted effort to promote and drive sales for it's dealers who desperately need their support.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
New Mazda6 Taking World By Storm
The new Mazda6 has been revealed in all its glory ahead of its unveiling at next week’s Frankfurt Motor Show. The new model, once again available in sedan, five-door hatch and wagon bodystyles, brings a new sense of style and design that we predict will lure away customers of more expensive makes. The pictures reveal a dynamically styled model that make rivals like the Toyota Camry and Subaru Legacy look like design school rejects.
Mechanically, the new Mazda6 shares much in common with Ford’s Mondeo range but its dimensions are smaller and its kerb weight will likely be less as well. Officials have revealed that one of the key goals in designing the new Mazda6 was to keep weight low. Not surprisingly, the car weighs less than the outgoing version but also offers more interior space and performance. Less weight also leads to correspondingly lower fuel-consumption figures and less carbon-dioxide emissions than the current too.
Some of the new features of the Mazda6 include xenon headlights, LED detailing, active cruise control and parking sensors. Inside, there’s dual-zone climate control, an engine starter button, heated seats, voice-activated controls and a Bose stereo system. Though we suspect many of these features will be only available as an option, it’s still impressive to see a carmaker offering such lavish features in one of its mainstream models.
Mechanically, the new Mazda6 shares much in common with Ford’s Mondeo range but its dimensions are smaller and its kerb weight will likely be less as well. Officials have revealed that one of the key goals in designing the new Mazda6 was to keep weight low. Not surprisingly, the car weighs less than the outgoing version but also offers more interior space and performance. Less weight also leads to correspondingly lower fuel-consumption figures and less carbon-dioxide emissions than the current too.
Some of the new features of the Mazda6 include xenon headlights, LED detailing, active cruise control and parking sensors. Inside, there’s dual-zone climate control, an engine starter button, heated seats, voice-activated controls and a Bose stereo system. Though we suspect many of these features will be only available as an option, it’s still impressive to see a carmaker offering such lavish features in one of its mainstream models.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
2009 Mazda6 Test Drive
When the Mazda6 first hit the scene back in 2003, it was nimble and playful, and the power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering was exemplary. In fact, it was favorably compared to the BMW 3 Series—an impressive feat for any vehicle, let alone a mid-sizer in this price range.
But it was too small and, some say, underpowered to truly compete in the tough mid-size sedan segment against the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. That’s a big reason why Mazda says sales in the U.S. have been somewhat underwhelming—well below the 100,000-vehicle per year sales mark they were hoping for.
Mazda dealers around the country are sing the praises on the new Mazda6. Jeff Sikes Mazda in Huntsville, AL expects to see a significant jump in reatail sales of the 2009 Mazda6 over it's predecessor.
The Specs
Unique to the North American market, the redesigned mid-size sedan now comes in at 72.4 in. wide by 193.7 in. long (6.9 in. longer than its predecessor), with a robust 109.8-in wheelbase (4.5 in. longer). These increases might seem small, but they translate into quite a bit more cabin space. According to Hiroshi Kajiyama, Mazda’s chief program engineer for the 6, these new dimensions give the car more leg, shoulder and hip room (plus more luggage space) than the Accord, Altima or Malibu. Better still, he says that the car has put on no more than 200 pounds in the process.
To handle the new size and weight, Mazda upped the power of both the base four-cylinder engine and the top-of-the-line V6. With 170 hp and 167 lb.-ft. of torque, the slightly larger 2.5-liter inline-4 no longer is plenty powerful. Along with its bump in displacement from 2.3 liters, the four-cylinder features a new two-stage intake, more efficient cylinder heads and a less restrictive exhaust manifold.
When connected to the standard six-speed manual, the four-cylinder delivers 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. The automatic option adds an extra mile per gallon in the city and on the highway.
The Ford-designed, Mazda-built V-6—featuring 3.7-liters, 272 horses and 269 ft.-lb. of torque—is the same engine found in the much larger CX-9 crossover. But it offers less attractive fuel numbers (17 mpg city/25 mpg highway), and the six-speed automatic is the only available transmission for the V-6.
Mazda zeroed in on noise and vibration reductions, and the cabin area is 30-percent more rigid than in the previous car, according to Mazda’s R&D director Kelvin Hiraishi, who pointed out bulges in the floor pan intended specifically to stiffen that panel—and prevent it from acting like a noise-generating diaphragm. Engineers also focused on cutting down the wind noise leaking through door seals and sunroof surrounds.
There are a bunch of chassis improvements, including a one-piece, forged-steel front lower-control arm to provide better lateral stiffness and to eliminate any compliance in steering over bumps. The front wheels now turn almost 5 degrees more than before, reducing the turning circle by over 3 ft.
Each trailing arm in the rear suspension has an attachment point raised 1 in. to increase the anti-dive effect, keeping the body flat during hard braking. Larger diameter bushings allow a little rearward movement on harder bumps to improve impact absorption, and the twin-tube KYB dampers are placed further outboard in a more vertical position for better wheel control.
Michelin Pilot four-season radial tires are standard issue on all Mazda6 models, and come sized to fit either 16- or 17-in. wheels on the “i” model, with 17 or 18-inchers on the “s.” In terms of safety, the ‘09 Mazda6 is replete with airbags, ABS, LATCH child-seat hookups and stability control as standard equipment. There’s also an optional blind-spot monitoring system that checks the lanes alongside the car and warns of the presence of vehicles if you try to change lanes.
Other interesting gadgets include keyless entry and a 10-speaker, 333-watt Bose stereo. An owner can utilize the vehicle diagnostics connector (via a special tool at the dealer) to tune various functions such as headlamp on-and-off cycles, turn-signal buzzer volume, blind-spot warning activation, power door lock operation and about 20 other functions.
The Drive
Whether or not the redesign has the desired effect on consumers remains to be seen, but we like the look of the new Mazda6 on the road. The interior is artful and tidily crafted—basically what we’ve come to expect from this inventive car company. And there’s certainly ample room inside, even for this 6-ft.-5, long-torso reviewer to sit in the back so long as he scrunches down a tiny bit to avoid contact with the headliner (the headroom is slightly compromised by the fast roofline). Luckily, there’s enough knee room to allow that. And the sound dampening measures really worked; this car is as quiet as a church mouse.
Of course, with its “zoom zoom” reputation at stake, the new Mazda6 has to handle nimbly, and the firm bushing durometer values used in its suspension transmit a little ride noise back into the cabin—well, at least in the Mazda6i model powered by that new 2.5-liter, 170-hp engine.
We certainly expected more power—and got it. Where the 2.5-liter four feels pretty peppy out on the road, the 272-hp V-6 is downright intoxicating. Coupled only to a six-speed automatic with manual shift mode, the 6i models demonstrated great flexibility with a serious high-end punch.
In this era of high fuel prices, it’s comforting to know that the 2.5-liter engine gets better mileage than the 2.3-liter engine it replaces. It’s also smoother, thanks to a dual-mass damper and a flexible flywheel, both of which help smother noise and vibration not already cancelled by the counter-rotating balance shafts housed in the oil pan.
As for the V-6, Mazda claims that it’s not only the most powerful engine in the class, but that it’s also quieter at full throttle than its competitors. The six-speed automatic features an active adaptive shift strategy, which senses winding road conditions and holds a lower ratio (depending on vehicle speed) for good corner exit performance. It also holds on to lower ratios longer during bursts of acceleration, such as when passing slower traffic on a hazy-lazy country road or entering a busy super highway. And its manual mode holds ratios until the driver commands an upshift, unlike most others that provide nominal control at best.
The Bottom Line
In a class currently dominated by blasé styling, the Mazda6 has always been a breath of fresh air. Now with all of these improvements, this sedan will give the others a run for their money. Going bigger and heavier didn’t affect this car’s zip or nimble driving characteristics one bit. It remains closer to a sport sedan than any of its competitors.
Mazda6i and Mazda6s models will be offered in SV, Sport, Touring and Grand Touring form, each with a complement of upgrades, and will go on sale in late August. Prices will range from about $19,000 to $26,000 for the four-cylinder “i” models, and from about $24,400 to $28,400 for the V-6-powered “s” models. Zoom zoom indeed.
But it was too small and, some say, underpowered to truly compete in the tough mid-size sedan segment against the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. That’s a big reason why Mazda says sales in the U.S. have been somewhat underwhelming—well below the 100,000-vehicle per year sales mark they were hoping for.
Mazda dealers around the country are sing the praises on the new Mazda6. Jeff Sikes Mazda in Huntsville, AL expects to see a significant jump in reatail sales of the 2009 Mazda6 over it's predecessor.
The Specs
Unique to the North American market, the redesigned mid-size sedan now comes in at 72.4 in. wide by 193.7 in. long (6.9 in. longer than its predecessor), with a robust 109.8-in wheelbase (4.5 in. longer). These increases might seem small, but they translate into quite a bit more cabin space. According to Hiroshi Kajiyama, Mazda’s chief program engineer for the 6, these new dimensions give the car more leg, shoulder and hip room (plus more luggage space) than the Accord, Altima or Malibu. Better still, he says that the car has put on no more than 200 pounds in the process.
To handle the new size and weight, Mazda upped the power of both the base four-cylinder engine and the top-of-the-line V6. With 170 hp and 167 lb.-ft. of torque, the slightly larger 2.5-liter inline-4 no longer is plenty powerful. Along with its bump in displacement from 2.3 liters, the four-cylinder features a new two-stage intake, more efficient cylinder heads and a less restrictive exhaust manifold.
When connected to the standard six-speed manual, the four-cylinder delivers 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. The automatic option adds an extra mile per gallon in the city and on the highway.
The Ford-designed, Mazda-built V-6—featuring 3.7-liters, 272 horses and 269 ft.-lb. of torque—is the same engine found in the much larger CX-9 crossover. But it offers less attractive fuel numbers (17 mpg city/25 mpg highway), and the six-speed automatic is the only available transmission for the V-6.
Mazda zeroed in on noise and vibration reductions, and the cabin area is 30-percent more rigid than in the previous car, according to Mazda’s R&D director Kelvin Hiraishi, who pointed out bulges in the floor pan intended specifically to stiffen that panel—and prevent it from acting like a noise-generating diaphragm. Engineers also focused on cutting down the wind noise leaking through door seals and sunroof surrounds.
There are a bunch of chassis improvements, including a one-piece, forged-steel front lower-control arm to provide better lateral stiffness and to eliminate any compliance in steering over bumps. The front wheels now turn almost 5 degrees more than before, reducing the turning circle by over 3 ft.
Each trailing arm in the rear suspension has an attachment point raised 1 in. to increase the anti-dive effect, keeping the body flat during hard braking. Larger diameter bushings allow a little rearward movement on harder bumps to improve impact absorption, and the twin-tube KYB dampers are placed further outboard in a more vertical position for better wheel control.
Michelin Pilot four-season radial tires are standard issue on all Mazda6 models, and come sized to fit either 16- or 17-in. wheels on the “i” model, with 17 or 18-inchers on the “s.” In terms of safety, the ‘09 Mazda6 is replete with airbags, ABS, LATCH child-seat hookups and stability control as standard equipment. There’s also an optional blind-spot monitoring system that checks the lanes alongside the car and warns of the presence of vehicles if you try to change lanes.
Other interesting gadgets include keyless entry and a 10-speaker, 333-watt Bose stereo. An owner can utilize the vehicle diagnostics connector (via a special tool at the dealer) to tune various functions such as headlamp on-and-off cycles, turn-signal buzzer volume, blind-spot warning activation, power door lock operation and about 20 other functions.
The Drive
Whether or not the redesign has the desired effect on consumers remains to be seen, but we like the look of the new Mazda6 on the road. The interior is artful and tidily crafted—basically what we’ve come to expect from this inventive car company. And there’s certainly ample room inside, even for this 6-ft.-5, long-torso reviewer to sit in the back so long as he scrunches down a tiny bit to avoid contact with the headliner (the headroom is slightly compromised by the fast roofline). Luckily, there’s enough knee room to allow that. And the sound dampening measures really worked; this car is as quiet as a church mouse.
Of course, with its “zoom zoom” reputation at stake, the new Mazda6 has to handle nimbly, and the firm bushing durometer values used in its suspension transmit a little ride noise back into the cabin—well, at least in the Mazda6i model powered by that new 2.5-liter, 170-hp engine.
We certainly expected more power—and got it. Where the 2.5-liter four feels pretty peppy out on the road, the 272-hp V-6 is downright intoxicating. Coupled only to a six-speed automatic with manual shift mode, the 6i models demonstrated great flexibility with a serious high-end punch.
In this era of high fuel prices, it’s comforting to know that the 2.5-liter engine gets better mileage than the 2.3-liter engine it replaces. It’s also smoother, thanks to a dual-mass damper and a flexible flywheel, both of which help smother noise and vibration not already cancelled by the counter-rotating balance shafts housed in the oil pan.
As for the V-6, Mazda claims that it’s not only the most powerful engine in the class, but that it’s also quieter at full throttle than its competitors. The six-speed automatic features an active adaptive shift strategy, which senses winding road conditions and holds a lower ratio (depending on vehicle speed) for good corner exit performance. It also holds on to lower ratios longer during bursts of acceleration, such as when passing slower traffic on a hazy-lazy country road or entering a busy super highway. And its manual mode holds ratios until the driver commands an upshift, unlike most others that provide nominal control at best.
The Bottom Line
In a class currently dominated by blasé styling, the Mazda6 has always been a breath of fresh air. Now with all of these improvements, this sedan will give the others a run for their money. Going bigger and heavier didn’t affect this car’s zip or nimble driving characteristics one bit. It remains closer to a sport sedan than any of its competitors.
Mazda6i and Mazda6s models will be offered in SV, Sport, Touring and Grand Touring form, each with a complement of upgrades, and will go on sale in late August. Prices will range from about $19,000 to $26,000 for the four-cylinder “i” models, and from about $24,400 to $28,400 for the V-6-powered “s” models. Zoom zoom indeed.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Aggressive Pricing Announced For 2009 Mazda6
IRVINE, Calif., July 15, 2008 – Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today announced pricing for the 2009 MAZDA6 sports sedan will start at $18,550 for a MAZDA6 i SV, equipped with a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter I-4 engine and a six-speed manual transmission. Pricing for the 2009 MAZDA6 s, powered by a 273-horsepower V6 engine and six-speed Sport AT automatic transmission begins at $24,130. Destination charges for all 2009 model-year Mazda vehicles are $670, $715 in Alaska. The 2009 MAZDA6 will be available at dealers across the U. S. starting in late August, 2008.
The highly anticipated 2009 MAZDA6 is the first of Mazda’s “Zoom-Zoom Evolution” second-generation vehicles, building on a heritage of sports sedans and sports cars that no other manufacturer can boast, and bringing a combination of sports sedan, sophistication, build quality and product insight not currently found in the market.
“This is the most important new vehicle Mazda has launched in a decade,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO, MNAO. “Bringing any new car to market at a competitive price has always been critical, but seldom more-so than today. Customers are looking for that rare combination of style, dynamics, economy and a great price, and the all-new 2009 MAZDA6 delivers on all levels.”
The 2009 MAZDA6 will be available as a four-door sedan and in four trim levels: SV (I-4 models only), Sport, Touring and Grand Touring, and with varying levels of standard and optional equipment. All models, regardless of engine or trim grade, will include as standard equipment: air-conditioning, power windows, mirrors and door locks, anti-lock brakes (ABS), dynamic stability control, traction control, frontal and seat-mounted airbags for driver and front passenger, side air-curtain airbags for front and rear seat passengers and a tire-pressure monitoring system.
Power for the 2009 MAZDA6 will be available from an all-new Mazda-designed and developed MZR 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a 273-horsepower 3.7-liter V6, as used in the 2008 CX-9, Motor Trend’s 2008 Sport/Utility of the Year and the 2008 North American Truck of the Year. Transmission choices are a six-speed manual or five-speed Sport AT automatic with manual-shift mode (2.5-liter engine) or a six-speed Sport AT automatic with manual-shift mode (3.7-liter V6). I-4 models equipped with the Sport AT are certified at the ultra-clean SULEV level, and PZEV in California-emission states. All V6 models meet ULEV standards for all 50 states.
As it has been since the first MAZDA6 launched in 2002, all North American MAZDA6s will continue to be built at AutoAlliance International, in Flat Rock, Mich, a joint venture with partner Ford Motor Company.
Several Huntsville Mazda dealers and Birmingham Mazda dealers are among the first to offer this great new line up of vehicles at very aggressive pricing.
The highly anticipated 2009 MAZDA6 is the first of Mazda’s “Zoom-Zoom Evolution” second-generation vehicles, building on a heritage of sports sedans and sports cars that no other manufacturer can boast, and bringing a combination of sports sedan, sophistication, build quality and product insight not currently found in the market.
“This is the most important new vehicle Mazda has launched in a decade,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO, MNAO. “Bringing any new car to market at a competitive price has always been critical, but seldom more-so than today. Customers are looking for that rare combination of style, dynamics, economy and a great price, and the all-new 2009 MAZDA6 delivers on all levels.”
The 2009 MAZDA6 will be available as a four-door sedan and in four trim levels: SV (I-4 models only), Sport, Touring and Grand Touring, and with varying levels of standard and optional equipment. All models, regardless of engine or trim grade, will include as standard equipment: air-conditioning, power windows, mirrors and door locks, anti-lock brakes (ABS), dynamic stability control, traction control, frontal and seat-mounted airbags for driver and front passenger, side air-curtain airbags for front and rear seat passengers and a tire-pressure monitoring system.
Power for the 2009 MAZDA6 will be available from an all-new Mazda-designed and developed MZR 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a 273-horsepower 3.7-liter V6, as used in the 2008 CX-9, Motor Trend’s 2008 Sport/Utility of the Year and the 2008 North American Truck of the Year. Transmission choices are a six-speed manual or five-speed Sport AT automatic with manual-shift mode (2.5-liter engine) or a six-speed Sport AT automatic with manual-shift mode (3.7-liter V6). I-4 models equipped with the Sport AT are certified at the ultra-clean SULEV level, and PZEV in California-emission states. All V6 models meet ULEV standards for all 50 states.
As it has been since the first MAZDA6 launched in 2002, all North American MAZDA6s will continue to be built at AutoAlliance International, in Flat Rock, Mich, a joint venture with partner Ford Motor Company.
Several Huntsville Mazda dealers and Birmingham Mazda dealers are among the first to offer this great new line up of vehicles at very aggressive pricing.
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