As a sedan, the Mazda6 is probably the most underrated business sedan in the country and as a station wagon is Japan's most attractive and dynamic contribution to the theme of lifestyle family cars and non-SUVs. Quite apart from the hustle and bustle of the SUV, Mazda has continued to work on the fine-tuning of the Mazda6 in a quiet but little secret. The result is the most beautiful and dynamic BMW replacement that has so far been bought in the KODO design of the Japanese. A first date with the underdog in Spain!
Mazda6 - everything stays better!
A BMW replacement? Isn't the Autoblogger exaggerating a little at this point? If you don't believe how clean and crisp the Mazda6 can be, how spontaneously and agile the 2.2 liter diesel hangs on the gas, how happily the station wagon dances over the winding curves behind Barcelona and how valuable it feels - you will have to stop here read and ask the friendly Mazda dealer for a test drive. And then he will notice that this Mazda6 embodies everything that the white and blue propeller once stood for. But one after the other.
On the market since the beginning of 2013, the Mazda6 has sold around 26.700 times in Germany. Not bad. But after three to four years, the facelift is also allowed. And here it is. The “new” Mazda6. But does it look like the “old Mazda6”? Of course, the trays remain the same and under the - preferably varnished in ruby red metallic - Dress stays with the well-known knitting pattern. Nevertheless, the trip to the first date with the Japanese was worth it. Because it would not be Japanese if one did not focus on progress on the details. From model year 6, the Mazda2017 offers an even more comfortable diesel engine and a new Skyactiv component, the advantages of which have to be experienced.
Place of love
"The interior has been upgraded with great attention to detail." What is pleasant to read in a press kit means in reality that the revision was kept within limits. Which is not surprising. The concentration on the driver, the merging of “rider and horse” into a unity. It is part of the Mazda philosophy. Seat ergonomics and “finding your way around” have been very good since 2013. That the Mazda6 does not belong to the Japanese, in which one feels as a Central European, as if one were strapped to the grindstone, happy and convinced. The engineers have revised the steering wheel, however, it looks a little more fragile. It should have become more handy and whoever ticks the right check mark in the order list will be happy about a possible steering wheel heating. The new head-up display is multi-colored and no longer as pixelated. That looks good. The fact that the position of the head-up display can now also be saved using the memory button for the seat setting seems very well thought out! A new TFT display in the central unit reports in the cockpit. Easy to see, logical to use. The rest remains as it was. Without understanding yourself as a premium brand, you were already close to this elusive term.
Dynamic to the dance
The main novelty is one that cannot be felt. Or only indirectly. A driving dynamics control that you can not turn off. If she "G-vectoring control" is working? Mazda speaks of a vehicle dynamics control that makes minimal adjustments to the engine torque. In the 2.2 liter diesel I drive, the injection quantity is changed depending on various driving dynamics information, such as the steering angle. The result should be an axle and wheel load shift of 0.01 to 0.05 g or 20-40 kilograms per wheel. This precisely coordinated shifting of the wheel loads ensures increased lateral guidance, more precision when driving, more comfort. Also for more agility. With G-Vectoring Control, Mazda is introducing another piece of the Skyactiv technology puzzle. It's the fine-tuning in the details. The engine's adapted torque behavior ensures stability and aims to increase both the dynamics and comfort of the occupants. In short: fewer steering wheel corrections, more direct agility. Sounds exciting. Sounds logical. But is an average of 30 kilograms of wheel load shift enough to have an effect on driving behavior?
In the absence of a possibility for comparison must calibrated testing instrument of the car tester on the current impressions. The Popo-meter reports: The Mazda6 is amazingly handy, agile and direct. Point. Mazda has never built a better mid-range BMW station wagon. For a car with front-wheel drive, it understeers late, remains neutral for a long time and does not convey the feeling of an overwhelmed front axle. Even if 175 HP and 420 Nm pull on it in the case of the test car. This crisp and tightly stepped six-speed gearbox goes perfectly with this. The Mazda6 pulls as Skyactiv-D 175 emphatically from the strolling pace and does not lose any fascination around the top. The diesel turns loosely in the direction of “redline” and almost 5.000 revolutions. Such an eager diesel and it remains economical.
Quiet towards home
And quietly. Being economical, revving and power - these are three attributes that are sufficient for praise. But Mazda has given the 2.2 diesel two tricks that ensure peace. Once in motion, the diesel growls only recognizable as diesel above 3.500 revolutions. Underneath it is a pleasant murmur. Superior sound and well insulated. A special vibration damper in the piston pin (connection between piston and connecting rod) decouples vibrations and a more finely graduated multiple injection of the diesel fuel ensures a softer ignition. The result? A diesel engine with the smoothness of a creamy gasoline engine.
Conclusion: Jinba Ittai
When the Mazda6 from the model year 2017 is available from the German Mazda dealers from September 16.9/17.9, it will have matured again. The Japanese philosophy of putting the driver at the center, the experience of the car as a unit. Mazda calls the amalgamation of “horse and rider” Jinbai-Itta. And they do well. So good that this “first date” with the new year could lead to a real relationship.
[=” ” ]The tip at the end: "Buy what?"Over 60% of Mazda buyers choose a Mazda6 with the highest equipment level. That is also my recommendation. Treat yourself to the "full pack". So love stays fresh longer. The 175 hp diesel is a top recommendation for motorway experts and continuous full throttle drivers. If you live in the mountains, you can also order the Mazda6 as an all-wheel drive version - but this seems to me to be dispensable for everyday use. Recommendation: The current special equipment “Nakama Intense” and at least 150 diesel hp! A Dreier, A4 or Passat is slowly missing the arguments ...