The Mazda Atenza or Mazda6 is a mid-size car from the Japanese carmaker Mazda. The name Atenza (which means Attention) is used only in Japan; the Mazda6 moniker is used everywhere else in the world. The Atenza/Mazda6 replaced the Capella/626, and has sold over one million units worldwide since its introduction, making it the fastest Mazda vehicle to reach the one million mark. [1]
The model lineup consists of a 4-door sedan, 5-door hatchback, and a 5-door station wagon. Drivetrain combinations include the Mazda Z engine in configurations of 1.8 L, 2.0 L and 2.3 L, with a 6-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission (with sequential-automatic option, dubbed the "4-Speed Sport AT"). In some markets a 3.0 L Duratec 30 V6 engine is also available with a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic (with sequential-automatic option, dubbed the "6-Speed Sport AT"). European versions also feature a four-cylinder turbodiesel. In its first years, the Mazda6 came with a 4-speed automatic, 5-speed automatic "AT" or a 5-speed manual transmission.
During 2005, a 6-speed automatic became available on the 6-cylinder models, while the 4-cylinder sedan received a 5-speed manually shiftable automatic. Power is directed to the front wheels only in most markets, although full-time all wheel drive models are available in Japan and Europe. Not all configurations are available in all areas - for example, the Mazda6 as released in Australia was a four-cylinder car only, while the last 626 which it replaced was a four or six-cylinder car.
Like the 626 before it, Ford is using the Mazda6's CD3 platform as the basis for a number of other vehicles, including the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ, Lincoln MKX, and a range of SUVs and minivans. Ford also plans to offer a hybrid powertrain on the platform. For its part, Mazda themselves refer to this chassis as either the GG (sedan/hatch) or GY (wagon) series - following the previous 626/Capella in its GF/GW series.
North American Mazda6 production is handled at the AutoAlliance International plant which is a joint venture between Ford and Mazda. The first Mazda6 rolled off this Flat Rock, Michigan assembly line on October 1, 2002, one month after 626 production ended. Hofu plants in Hiroshima produce the Mazda6 for Europe and some Asia markets, including Australia. There are also satellite plants building Mazda6 models in China and Thailand for their respective local markets. (Ford owns a controlling interest in Mazda.)
Mazda6 MPS
The 2006 Mazdaspeed Atenza (known as Mazdaspeed 6 in North America and Mazda6 MPS in Europe and Australia) is a high-performance version of the Mazda6. It features a turbocharged version of the 2.3 L MZR I4 which produces 272 PS (200 kW) (European version is detuned to 260 PS (191 kW); the North American version, at 274 hp (204 kW), is more powerful). This 2.3 L DISI turbocharged engine features direct fuel injection and conforms to the new Euro 5 emissions standards. It has a revised front fascia with a raised hood, a 6-speed transmission, and all wheel drive. The all wheel drive system uses Mazda's Active Torque Split computer-based control which routes up to 50% of the power to the rear wheels depending on driving conditions. Mazda currently has no plans to enter the car into rally racing, and the Mazdaspeed Atenza could be meant to compete with its Japanese-made rival, the Subaru Legacy GT and similar sport sedans like the rally-car-derived Subaru Impreza WRX STi and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.
Originally scheduled to be launched in June 2005, the Mazdaspeed Atenza was delayed until November. In North America, the Mazdaspeed6 comes in two trim levels; the "Sport" trim with cloth interior and standard key entry and ignition; and the "Grand Touring" trim with leather interior, keyless entry/ignition, and an optional DVD navigation (of which the Canadian model lacks DVD navigation). Automatic climate control is standard, as is a 200 W Bose stereo system featuring 7 speakers and a 9 in. subwoofer in addition to an in-dash 6-disc CD changer. A sunroof with moonroof feature is optional on the Grand Touring trim.
Although Mazda estimates 0-60 mph times to be 6.2 seconds, recent independent tests by automotive journalists have suggested that the actual numbers might range between 5.4-6 seconds (with DSC deactivated).
The model lineup consists of a 4-door sedan, 5-door hatchback, and a 5-door station wagon. Drivetrain combinations include the Mazda Z engine in configurations of 1.8 L, 2.0 L and 2.3 L, with a 6-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission (with sequential-automatic option, dubbed the "4-Speed Sport AT"). In some markets a 3.0 L Duratec 30 V6 engine is also available with a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic (with sequential-automatic option, dubbed the "6-Speed Sport AT"). European versions also feature a four-cylinder turbodiesel. In its first years, the Mazda6 came with a 4-speed automatic, 5-speed automatic "AT" or a 5-speed manual transmission.
During 2005, a 6-speed automatic became available on the 6-cylinder models, while the 4-cylinder sedan received a 5-speed manually shiftable automatic. Power is directed to the front wheels only in most markets, although full-time all wheel drive models are available in Japan and Europe. Not all configurations are available in all areas - for example, the Mazda6 as released in Australia was a four-cylinder car only, while the last 626 which it replaced was a four or six-cylinder car.
Like the 626 before it, Ford is using the Mazda6's CD3 platform as the basis for a number of other vehicles, including the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ, Lincoln MKX, and a range of SUVs and minivans. Ford also plans to offer a hybrid powertrain on the platform. For its part, Mazda themselves refer to this chassis as either the GG (sedan/hatch) or GY (wagon) series - following the previous 626/Capella in its GF/GW series.
North American Mazda6 production is handled at the AutoAlliance International plant which is a joint venture between Ford and Mazda. The first Mazda6 rolled off this Flat Rock, Michigan assembly line on October 1, 2002, one month after 626 production ended. Hofu plants in Hiroshima produce the Mazda6 for Europe and some Asia markets, including Australia. There are also satellite plants building Mazda6 models in China and Thailand for their respective local markets. (Ford owns a controlling interest in Mazda.)
Mazda6 MPS
The 2006 Mazdaspeed Atenza (known as Mazdaspeed 6 in North America and Mazda6 MPS in Europe and Australia) is a high-performance version of the Mazda6. It features a turbocharged version of the 2.3 L MZR I4 which produces 272 PS (200 kW) (European version is detuned to 260 PS (191 kW); the North American version, at 274 hp (204 kW), is more powerful). This 2.3 L DISI turbocharged engine features direct fuel injection and conforms to the new Euro 5 emissions standards. It has a revised front fascia with a raised hood, a 6-speed transmission, and all wheel drive. The all wheel drive system uses Mazda's Active Torque Split computer-based control which routes up to 50% of the power to the rear wheels depending on driving conditions. Mazda currently has no plans to enter the car into rally racing, and the Mazdaspeed Atenza could be meant to compete with its Japanese-made rival, the Subaru Legacy GT and similar sport sedans like the rally-car-derived Subaru Impreza WRX STi and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.
Originally scheduled to be launched in June 2005, the Mazdaspeed Atenza was delayed until November. In North America, the Mazdaspeed6 comes in two trim levels; the "Sport" trim with cloth interior and standard key entry and ignition; and the "Grand Touring" trim with leather interior, keyless entry/ignition, and an optional DVD navigation (of which the Canadian model lacks DVD navigation). Automatic climate control is standard, as is a 200 W Bose stereo system featuring 7 speakers and a 9 in. subwoofer in addition to an in-dash 6-disc CD changer. A sunroof with moonroof feature is optional on the Grand Touring trim.
Although Mazda estimates 0-60 mph times to be 6.2 seconds, recent independent tests by automotive journalists have suggested that the actual numbers might range between 5.4-6 seconds (with DSC deactivated).