Tuesday, August 25, 2009

2002 Mazda 6 Sport







The new Mazda6 line-up has been expanded with two new body styles and two all-new diesel engines. The elegant hatchback Mazda6 Sport will appeal to customers looking for a more sporty model, while the stylish Mazda6 Wagon will appeal to drivers who put a premium on spaciousness and interior flexibility. The two diesel drivetrains represent state-of-the-art diesel technology, while offering the optimal combination of driving pleasure and low fuel consumption.

Launched in April this year, the new Mazda6 Sedan appeals to European drivers with its dynamic design, sporty handling characteristics and spacious interior. Now Mazda is adding to this with the racy hatchback Mazda6 Sport and the spacious Wagon. These additions to the Mazda6 range demonstrate that the Japanese manufacturer is focusing intensively on the individual tastes and specific requirements of European drivers.

The exterior design of the two new body styles shows the close affinity with the existing Sedan version. The new models have the distinctive Mazda face, with an expressive five-point grille, striking air intake openings in the front bumper spoiler and elegantly thin headlamps with clear glass. Seen from the side, the new Mazda6 Sport does its name justice. The acute angle of the back window and the elegant profile of the C-pillar give the car a dynamic look, and make for a lower and more sporty appearance. The new Mazda6 Wagon symbolises sportiness in another form, with a relatively acute rear window line and blackened B-pillars to give the car an elegant yet sporty appearance, despite its spacious cabin. The rear of both models is dominated by the clear glass lamp assembly, of similar design to the front headlamps. These wrap around into the side panels and provide a fluid optical link between the boot trim and the rear fender.


The interior of both models is also designed in typical Mazda6 style. The passenger and luggage compartments are larger than their sporty exteriors might indicate. The driver and passengers can enjoy comfortable and stress-free driving on long trips due to the use of tasteful, high-quality materials, the aesthetic yet functional styling of the instruments, plus the firm, comfortable and lavishly constructed seats.

The luggage compartments of both new models are extremely large, with outstanding capacities of 492 litres for the Mazda6 Sport and 505 litres for the Mazda6 Wagon. Both versions are fitted with Mazda's unique "Karakuri" rear seat system, which rapidly folds the rear seats into a level load floor. This is operated by a lever inside the luggage compartment, which releases the backrests. The seats automatically drop down and the backrests fold over them, without the headrests having to be removed.

The large boot volume is in part the result of the patented Mazda E-type multilink rear axle. Its compact design not only saves space but provides both new Mazda6 models - in combination with the double A-arm front axle design - with excellent roadholding qualities. A wide track width and low centre of gravity ensure sporty handling, while precise steering provides excellent road feedback, whether on the motorway or on twisting country roads. Powerful and efficient brakes enhance both models' handling characteristics, and make Mazda6 Sport and Wagon two of the best cars in their class for braking deceleration.

The two other significant developments can be found under the bonnet of all three body styles - for there are now two modern diesel drivetrains available, in addition to the three aluminium alloy four-cylinder petrol engines, which have been available since the launch of the Mazda6 Sedan. Both are two-litre second generation common-rail direct injection engines - one with a power output of 89 kW/121 hp while the high power version delivers 100 kW/136 hp. Both engines have four valves per cylinder and combine the classic strengths of a diesel engine (low fuel consumption, high torque at low engine speeds) with characteristics normally associated with petrol engines (lively driving performance, driving comfort, operating smoothness, low emissions). Both diesel engines achieve Euro Stage III emissions ratings.

The existing double overhead cam petrol engines have four valves per cylinder, and come in three displacements: the 1.8-litre produces 88 kW/120 hp, the 2.0-litre 104 kW/141 hp, and the 2.3-litre 122 kw/166 hp. Like the Mazda6 Sedan, the new Sport and Wagon models are available with an optional four-speed automatic transmission for the 2.0-litre petrol version.

Safety features for both new Mazda6 body styles are equal to those of the Sedan. Crash protection is provided by an extremely rigid passenger cell with an ingenious structural design for the distribution and absorption of impact energy; while passive safety features include airbags, side airbags in the front, and head and shoulder airbags to protect driver and passengers in case of side impact.

A Coupé with five doors

The new Mazda6 Sport is based on a long tradition of sporty fastbacks within the company. It is a sporty, stylish five-door hatchback model that has a hint of a coupé. However, the tailgate and flexible load space give it qualities to rival some wagons, while it still possesses all the characteristics of the new Mazda6 model line up.

A coupé, some people say, is an elegant way to pay more money for less car. In order to achieve an appealing form, designers usually sacrifice not only two doors, but also a lot of space. Headroom and luggage space are reduced - but the price is usually increased. Mazda fastback models have traditionally been the exception to this rule, for they have only looked like a coupé from the outside. When it comes to everyday practicality and interior spaciousness, they have always been nearly equal to saloon models, while any increase in price for the Mazda's more sporty design and large hatchback have always been kept within to a minimum. Sporty hatchback versions of the 626 family have long been an integral part of Mazda's range, while the 323F helped the fastback break into the compact class in 1989.

The Mazda6 Sport marks another significant step for, with its modified roof line, fundamental saloon design cues have been accentuated in hatchback form. The acute angle of the rear window and the elegant design of the C-pillar give the car a dynamic look, and make for a lower and more sporty appearance.

Traditionally at Mazda, this sporty look has never been made at the cost of comfort - and the new Mazda Sport is no exception. Four, wide-opening doors allow easy passenger access, while the large tailgate opening makes it easy to load the large 492-litre boot. The dimensions of the rear passenger compartment are, with the exception of a mere 5 mm reduction in headroom, exactly the same as for the Mazda6 Sedan. Like the Wagon, the new Mazda6 Sport also comes as standard with the "Karakuri" system that allows easy folding of the rear seats. By using two levers inside the luggage department, the back seats are automatically folded flat without the need to remove the headrests or manually move the seat cushions. Four practical hooks integrated into the luggage compartment prevent smaller cargo items from sliding around.

Visually, the interior is identical to that of the Sedan. It has a feeling of spaciousness, a sporty cockpit plus quality trim and fabric. The comfortably firm seats provide a stress-free environment, even on long trips. Air conditioning is standard, along with various other features including electric windows, electrically adjustable side mirrors and numerous storage compartments.

The new Mazda6 Sport's tight suspension, tuned for driving comfort, guarantees optimal driving quality. Double front A-arms and a multilink rear axle arrangement, combined with wide track width and low centre of gravity, give the car sporty handling characteristics, while its precise steering delivers optimal tyre-to-road contact, whether on the motorway or country roads. Its dynamic qualities are further enhanced by powerful brakes, which make the new Mazda6 Sport one of the best in its class for braking deceleration. The extremely stiff passenger cell with an ingenious structural design for the distribution and absorption of impact energy, front airbags, side airbags in the front, plus head and shoulder airbags, provide a high amount of protection under all conditions.