NO, Mazda’s earlier than expected facelift of its two-year-old Six does not bring with it a replacement for the cracking turbocharged all-wheel drive MPS, but it does bring an all-new front-end look borrowed from the newest Mazda3, some upmarket interior tweaks, fresh wheels for most models and welcome price cuts across the board.
The latter make Australia’s top-selling privately purchased mid-size model even better value, while running costs should also come down slightly, with the revised (but still manual-only) 2.2-litre turbo-diesel now offering Camry Hybrid-beating average fuel economy of just 5.9L/100km and the consumption of manual petrol models decreasing by 0.1L/100km.
Throw in a number of small but significant chassis upgrades to improve steering feel and response and handling stability, and the 2010 Mazda6 is more than just a more affordable mid-sizer with a prettier face.
Mazda6
Released: February 2008
Ended: March 2010
Family Tree: Mazda6MAZDA’S second-generation Six arrived in Australia in February 2008, with a 125kW/226Nm 2.5-litre MZR four-cylinder petrol engine – again mated to six-speed manual and five-speed automatic transmissions – to replace the original 2002-2007 GG Mazda6’s 122kW 2.3-litre petrol four. Again available in sedan, hatch and wagon body styles – but offering no replacement for the all-wheel-drive 190kW 2.3-litre DISI turbo-petrol powered Mazda6 MPS – the new GH-series Six was expanded with the belated replacement for the previous Diesel in December 2008. The MkII Mazda6 Diesel was powered by a 136kW 2.2-litre turbo-diesel to replace the original model’s 105kW 2.0-litre oil-burner, which was also a manual-only variant.
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