A first class ride
9:58am Wednesday 6th February 2008
LONGER, taller and wider with an extended wheelbase - that is the vogue among family cars these days and Mazda's new 6, coming in the wake of Ford's enlarged Mondeo and Audi's grown-up A4, is no exception.
Like its new competitors, the second generation 6 uses its extra dimensions to provide more leg and shoulder room for rear passengers.
They also receive smart head restraints and with a sophisticated heating, ventilation and air conditioning system also standard everyone will truly travel first class.' The saloon and hatchback variants became available on Boxing Day and the estate versions will arrive this month.
The power choice comprises 1.8 and 2.0 litre petrol and 2.0 litre turbo diesel engines used in the outgoing car and a new 2.5 litre petrol engine which has replaced a 2.3 litre unit.
Modifications on the first three focus on savings on fuel of between seven and 12 per cent and Mazda's engineers were at pains to ensure that such gains would not be compromised by the use of extra metal, reducing its weight while maintaining its strength.
The new electrically-powered steering system also contributes towards the car's frugal fuel performance; the diesel uses nearly seven per cent less than previously.
Greatly reduced toxic emission levels mean that benefit-in-kind tax bills for company car drivers will also be considerably less than before.
The fleet market is of the utmost importance with this kind of car, of course, and those extra dimensions will also appeal to potential buyers and leasers.
Five and six-speed manual gearboxes are available in all of the models and some can be specified with a dual mode five-speed autoshift. Equipment levels continue to be called S, TS, TS2 and Sport and there is also an extra one - SL for Sport Luxury.
Prices range from £15,100 for the 1.8 S hatch to £22,040 for the 2.0 diesel SL.
The entry car features 16-inch alloy wheels, body coloured bumpers, handles, mouldings and housings, electric door mirrors, remote control central locking, electric windows all round, air conditioning, a fully adjustable driving seat, daytime running lights, lots of airbags and a single CD audio system with MP3 compatibility.
The 2.0 litre TS five-door is the model particularly aimed at the fleet market and the b-i-k bill is down from £70 to £60 a month. The best seller is expected to be the TS diesel.
Building on the Sport with keyless entry, 18-inch wheels and Bi-Xenon headlights, the range-topping SL has front and rear parking sensors, an electric sunroof, power adjustable front seats and full leather trim but deletes the side skirts and spoiler.
All of the cars provide the security of ABS brakes.