Turbo to have name chosen by NZ
Mazda sedan aims for premium ground in new turbo guise, writes David Linklater.
Mazda New Zealand has confirmed that it will launch the high-end turbocharged Mazda6 model revealed at this month’s Los Angeles Auto Show (LAAS) in July 2018.
That’s after it decides what to call it.
The updated Six has styling changes that carry across the entire range, including a more aggressive grille, painted surfaces that extend lower on the body and an all-new interior, with only the steering wheel and some minor trim elements carried over from the outgoing model.
There are also new front seats (ergonomic seats are a new-gen Mazda focus), with the option of ventilation for the first time.
The chassis has been revised with the steering rack now rigidmounted, suspension has been upgraded and there are thicker materials to improve refinement, using lessons learned from the (very quiet) CX-9.
The CX-9 also provides its 2.5-litre turbocharged engine for the new Mazda6, with outputs of between 170-186kW (depending on fuel quality, says the maker) and 420Nm.
The naturally aspirated 2.5-litre in the current Mazda6 makes 138kW/250Nm; that engine will continue in the new range.
The turbo will be be available exclusively in a new high-end model, says Mazda New Zealand general manager of sales and marketing Glenn Harris: ‘‘For our market that engine is only available with a high-grade specification, so the thinking is that we’ll introduce it at a higher level than our current Limited [$55,990].
‘‘It’ll be what other markets might call a GT or Touring model.’’
At the LAAS, the Mazda6 turbo was referred to as a Signature model, in line with an American naming convention for the CX-9 SUV.
There’ll be none of the above for NZ, which has the freedom to choose its own name, says Harris: ‘‘I think we will look at something Japanese. There’s a couple of names floating around – nothing has been decided. But it’’s likely to be Japanese, with significance for the grade.’’
The interior of the new model has what Mazda calls ‘‘authentic’’ materials, including the choice of brown Nappa leather whose colour is said to be inspired by the aged wood in Japanese temples, a material called UltraSuede NU that has a gold tint and Sen wood accents – similar to that used in taiko drums and Japanese furniture.
Harris says some of the new features introduced for the faceliftSix will be reserved for the flagship model in New Zealand, including 360-degree monitor and some additional active safety technology.
Mazda head office is really talking up the new turbo-6, namedropping past high-end efforts like the Cosmo, Luce and Millenia – or what it calls ‘‘Mazda premium’’.
In NZ, it’ll be a high-end model in what is an increasingly difficult segment, as medium/large-vehicle buyers migrate to SUVs like the CX-5 and CX-9.
‘‘It’s tough,’’ says Harris. ‘‘It’s around five per cent of the total passenger market. It’s not a lot. It’s pretty disappointing for us and it’s quite sad because this [Mazda6] is the car that started it all for us in terms of ‘zoom zoom’.
‘‘But the market has changed and customers have changed – and we’re fortunate that we’ve been able to change with them through our crossovers.’’
The medium/large wagon segment is now virtually nonexistent in Kiwiland thanks to SUVs.
Despite that, Harris says Mazda NZ remains committed to the Six in both four and five-door formats.
Indeed, the new turbo could be made available in either or both – the company hasn’t yet decided.
‘‘The wagon still offers something that crossovers don’t: flexibility and load space with carlike handling.
‘‘But we are looking at a price repositioning.
‘‘When we launched Mazda6 we didn’t have CX-5 and now Six sits at a premium that it probably doesn’t deserve.
‘‘We think we might get that sticker price down around CX-5; we’re spending a lot on discounting at the moment and my preference would be to get that sticker price as close as possible to the transaction price.’’
Expect to see the 2.5-litre turbo engine embraced in other Mazda models over time – although not necessarily lower-grade Mazda6s.
‘‘There’s a strong case to have these halo models in each car line,’’ says Harris.
‘‘We’d be very keen to have a look at it in CX-5, for example.’’
That’s not likely to happen in 2018, but next year will see new cylinder deactivation technology in the naturally aspirated 2.5-litre versions of both CX-5 and Mazda6.
The system can shut down two of the four cylinders when appropriate, between 40-80kmh.