CAR REPAIRE: Mazda6

Showing posts with label Mazda6. Show all posts

Monday, February 13, 2012

Mazda Takeri Concept to Make European Debut in Geneva – New Mega Gallery with 82 Photos

We saw the new Mazda Takeri concept for the first time at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon last December and now the mid-size sedan will be making its European debut at at next month’s Geneva International Motor Show.

What's special about the Takeri is that it isn't one of those fantasy concept models that will go away after hitting the motor show scene as it previews the styling of the next Mazda6 range, expected in 2013.

The Takeri is the latest Mazda concept to adopt the Japanese firm's "KODO – Soul of Motion’ design theme after the production CX-5 SUV and the Shinari sports sedan study showcased at Geneva last year.

Russia's Got Talent: Karate Girl Takes a Fit and Attacks SUV

Just a warning; if you ever happen to travel to Russia, you'd better be on the lookout for a black Mazda6 sedan with a hefty blonde passenger. She's trained to kill your vehicle if you ever cross paths with her, so watch out… Amuse yourself for about a minute in the video that follows below the jump. Read more »

Monday, January 30, 2012

SCOOP: 2014 Mazda6 Test Mule Trying Out its New Hardware

Mazda engineers continue the development of the next generation "6" sedan's chassis and mechanical hardware under the cloak of the existing model's body panels, albeit in modified form as you can see from the wheel arch extensions on this prototype that our spies snapped in Europe.

If you're wondering what the new Mazda6 will look like, then all you have to do is take a gander at the photos of the swooping Takeri concept car displayed at the last November's 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.

The handsome study with its voluptuous curves generally received praise for its design. Hopefully, the production Mazda6, which is due sometime in 2013, won't stray too far away from the original concept.

Rumors: Four-Seat Coupe to Join Next-Gen Mazda6 Range?

When you put the words "Mazda" and "Coupe" together, they immediately conjure images of models like the RX-7 and RX-8. Especially the latter since, save for the Japanese market-only Spirit R special, the RX-8 has being discontinued for the rest of the world.

Mazda has already confirmed that it is not giving up on the rotary engine that has become synonymous with its larger rear-wheel drive coupes.

Mazda Hints at Next Mazda6 with Diesel-Powered Takeri Concept in Tokyo

Arguably, the Takeri concept is Mazda’s most important attraction at this week's Tokyo Motor Show. Intended to showcase the styling of the Mazda6's replacement that is due in 2013, it adopts many elements of the new “Kodo” design introduced in the Shinari concept, which is also on display at the firm's Tokyo stand.

Powering the 4,850mm long four-door sedan study is the new SKYACTIV-D 2.0-liter diesel engine linked to the firm's new 6-speed automatic transmission.

The Takeri is also fitted with Mazda’s i-stop idling stop system and a unique regenerative braking system called ‘i-ELOOP’ (Intelligent Energy Loop). The i-ELOOP is billed as the world’s first kinetic energy recovery system that uses a capacitor and a 25V to 12V alternator instead of a traditional battery pack.

Mazda Develops i-ELOOP Capacitor-Based Regenerative System, Debuts on Takeri Concept

Regenerative braking systems that store energy into batteries during braking are becoming increasingly common in new cars because they help reduce fuel consumption.

Today, Mazda presented what it claims to be the world’s first passenger vehicle regenerative system that uses a capacitor instead of a battery pack for storing energy, named i-ELOOP (“Intelligent Energy Loop”).

SCOOP: New Mazda6 Test Mule Spotted Testing with…Toyota Badges

We'll get our first taste of what Mazda has in store for us in the mid-size family car segment at this month's 42nd edition of the Tokyo Motor Show with the Takeri concept, which previews the next generation of the Mazda6.

However, the Japanese brand's engineers have already began work on the sedan model as you can see from these fresh spy shots that were taken in Germany.

A keen eye will immediately recognize that the lines of the prototype belong the current Mazda6. That's because what you see here is an early test mule that combines the next model's platform architecture with the body panels of the current Mazda6.

Mazda Takeri Sedan Concept Smiles for the Video Camera

This year's edition of the Tokyo Motor Show in December is gearing up to be one of the most exciting automotive events of the year as we're anticipating many important debuts including the Toyota FT-86 and Subaru BRZ twins, the new Honda CR-V and the reason why we're writing this article, the Mazda Takeri concept.

Even though Mazda's initial press release didn't disclose many details, the Takeri is believed to be a thinly disguised concept of the next generation of the Mazda6 sedan in the same way that the Minagi study previewed the CX-5 that was revealed in Frankfurt this September.

BBR Offers New Power Kits for Mazda3 and Mazda6 MPS with up to 400HP

Power is the name of the game when it comes to UK tuning firm BBR that has just released a newly developed range of engine and suspension upgrade packages for the Mazda3 and Mazda6 MPS models (named MAZDASPEED3 and MAZDASPEED6 respectively in North America).

Since the two Mazda models are powered by the same 2.3-liter turbocharged four-pot, BBR's engine kits apply to both vehicles.

Tokyo Motor Show: New Mazda Takeri Concept Previews Next Mazda6

Mazda fans may be unhappy about the RX-8’s demise, but the Hiroshima-based automaker has a history of displaying well received concepts that eventually enter production, like the RX-Evolve and the Minagi.

The company's latest concept is the Takeri and it will be unveiled at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show on November 30. The Takeri is a mid-size sedan that effectively gives us an early glimpse at the Mazda6's replacement, which is expected to arrive in the market in the first half of 2013.

‘Tis Official: Mazda to Stop Building the North American Mazda6 in the USA, Successor will Come from Japan

For better or for worse, depending on which side of the line you are standing on, Mazda has confirmed rumors that it will stop building the Mazda6 at the AutoAlliance International (AAI) plant in Michigan, which it runs jointly with Ford, after the mid-size sedan's current cycle ends.

The company said the Mazda6's replacement for the North American market will be produced at its Hofu Plant in Yamaguchi prefecture, Japan, adding that the decision was driven by the firm’s “ongoing efforts to increase global manufacturing efficiencies”.

Report: Mazda to Cut Ties with Ford and Stop U.S. Production by 2013

Earlier in May, we told you about a report concerning Mazda’s plans to discontinue production of its Mazda6 mid-size model at its joint-venture plant with Ford in Michigan. Today, new reports from both Japan and the U.S. are claiming that Mazda Motors will dissolve its 50-50 joint venture with Ford and stop building cars in the USA by 2013, with the Japanese company already in talks with the Detroit automaker to sell its stake in their car production venture Auto Alliance International [AAI]. Read more »

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Mazda6 and Subaru Tribeca to be Axed, According to Report from Japan

Mazda and Subaru may soon be forced to axe two of their models in the US market, the Mazda6 mid-size vehicle and the Subaru Tribeca SUV, due to low volumes that undermine the efficiency of the U.S. plants that they are built in, according to a newspaper report from Japan’s business daily Nikkan Kogyo. It should be noted though that spokesmen for both companies declined to comment on the report.

Nikkan Kogyo wrote that Mazda is planning to discontinue production of the Mazda6 at the Flat Rock, Michigan plant, which it operates as a joint venture together with Ford Motor Co., as sales missed expectations. When Mazda introduce the latest generation of the mid-size model in 2008, the company expected an annual production of around 100,000 units, but last year, the plant churned out just 45,168 Mazda6s. In April, Mazda6 posted an increase of 7.8 percent but sales reached just 2,734 vehicles.

Honda Accord was Also Caught Up in the Same Spider Web as the Mazda6

It seems that the petrol-sniffing Yellow Sac spider that forced Mazda to issue a recall on some 52,000 cars in the USA last week has a thing for mid-size Japanese sedans as the eight-legged arthropod also caused problems to Honda in the past. According to reports, Honda posted a Technical Service Bulletin in the summer of 2009 alerting its dealers to check Accords for possible infestation by the Yellow Sac spider, but had not issued a recall then.

A Gasoline-Addict Spider Gets 52,000 Mazda6 Cars Recalled in the US

This must be by far the most hilarious recall action we've ever heard about. It involves some 52,000 US-market Mazda6 cars from the 2009 and 2010 model years and a gasoline-loving spider. Yes, you read correctly; it's about a species of a spider that loves to build its web in the Mazda6 vent line, thus endangering the integrity of the gas tank.

New Mazda Takuya Special Editions for UK Market

Obviously Mazda has embarked on a journey to teach Japanese to British buyers. After the MX-5 Miyako limited edition series - named after a Japanese island, Mazda is now introducing the 'Takuya' special edition range, available on the Mazda2, Mazda3 and Mazda6 models. The name 'Takuya' – pronounced 'tah-koy-yah' – is taken from the Japanese for forerunner or pioneer. Changes on the special edition models are limited to cosmetic and equipment upgrades.

Euro-Spec Mazda6 Facelift to Debut at Geneva Show

Following the announcement on the release of the refreshed Atenza in Japan, Mazda revealed that the facelift version of the European market Mazda6 will have its premiere alongside the all-new Mazda5 and one more car that has yet to be named, at this year's Geneva Motor Show in March.

Like its sister model in Japan, the new Mazda6 has received some minor cosmetic touches in the form of new head and rear lamps along with a restyled front bumper that adopts a five-point grille and new alloy wheel designs.

As expected, the Mazda6 will be offered with the firm's new 2.0-litre DISI gasoline unit with direct injection that is said to use less fuel and produce fewer emissions than the 2.0-litre engine it replaces.

Furthermore, Mazda said that it has updated the 1.8 and 2.5-litre gasoline engines, without giving out any more details.

The '6's European lineup is rounded off by a 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine that is available in three power derivatives, from 129 to 180HP, all of which are said to have improved fuel-efficiency and lower CO2 emissions.

Finally, the Mazda6 also gets new chassis settings and several new active safety features including an adaptive front lighting system and hill-launch assist.

The facelifted Mazda6 will go on sale across Europe this spring.

Monday, January 25, 2010

2011 Mazda6 - Atenza Facelift Officially Unveiled in Japan, gets New 2.0-Liter Engine with Direct Injection

Only moments after we posted a gallery of scanned brochures from the refreshed Atenza, otherwise known as the Japanese market version of the Mazda6, and the automaker came out with an official release on its mid-size model. More of a subtle nip-and-tuck than a full blown facelift, the 2011MY Atenza has been refined with some styling changes, chassis tweaks and a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with direct injection.

The exterior enhancements for the freshened Mazda6 bring it line with the firm's more recent models mainly by adopting the new Mazda family face with a five-point front grille.

There front bumper has been redesigned and features more pronounced air-inlets on the corners, while the newly styled 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels together with the revised tail lamp clusters complete the exterior makeover.

The interior updates are even less obvious as aside from some equipment upgrades, changes are limited to the new glossy, piano-black finish that has been applied to the center panel, audio and air conditioner panel surrounds as well as the shift gate and steering wheel spokes, and the chrome garnish on the climate control and audio dials, shift knob and inner door handles.

Underneath the hood, as expected, Mazda fitted the Japanese '6 with its newly developed 2.0-liter DISI gasoline engine with direct injection.

Mazda did not disclose any details, but we gather that it's the same unit found on the new Mazda5 MPV that will have its debut at the Geneva Show in March.

The Japanese automaker said that it has also tweaked the Atenza's power steering and suspension settings improving the car's handling and straight-line stability at high speeds as well the ride quality.

Although Mazda did not mention anything about the Mazda6 sold in overseas markets including Europe and North America, chance are we'll see a similar facelift on the '6 sometime this year.