MAZDASPEED6 will be the Most Powerful Mazda in the U.S.

By: Brad Nevin | Ford Communications Network

The MAZDASPEED6 takes the Mazda Zoom-Zoom philosophy of spirited driving to a new level. For more information on the current line of Mazda vehicles, visit mazdausa.com.

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 9, 2004 -- When it goes on sale next year, the MAZDASPEED6 will be Mazda's highest performance sedan and push the Mazda Zoom-Zoom philosophy of spirited driving performance to its highest level.

Arriving in early summer, the MAZDASPEED6 will feature a direct-injected turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, a 6-speed manual transmission, all-wheel drive, a modified suspension, standard 18-inch alloy wheels and a significantly more rigid body structure. The new, more aggressive version of the MAZDA6 will also have styling enhancements to distinguish it as Mazda's ultimate performance sedan.

“Building on the highly acclaimed dynamic performance of the MAZDA6, we set out to optimize every aspect of handling, stability, acceleration and braking performance," said Program Manager Seiichi Ohmoto. "The idea was to realize a whole new level of balance between outstanding performance and driving pleasure."

At the heart of the MAZDASPEED6 lies a newly-developed direct-injection turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with an estimated 270 horsepower. This is the first gasoline direct-injection turbocharged engine sold in the U.S. Low- and mid-range torque delivers response that resembles a much larger normally-aspirated engine while also delivering lower exhaust emissions.

At the heart of the MAZDASPEED6 lies a newly-developed direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Initial Mazda tests indicate acceleration from 0-62 mph in 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 150 mph. Mazda engineers made sure the exhaust sounded good, too. The shape and size of the inner diameter of the exhaust pipes and the internal structure of the silencer produces a throaty, sporty sound when accelerating.

A newly developed six-speed manual transmission uses a wide gear ratio setting that exploits the high power of the direct-injection turbocharged engine. The shift lever feels slightly stiffer than in a conventional 6, but slide resistance is minimized. The result is a direct and positive feel when the driver shifts gears.

To aid handling, MAZDASPEED6 is equipped with Mazda’s new all-wheel drive system that uses real-time data on steering angle, yaw rate, lateral G force and engine status to determine road surface and driving conditions. The active torque coupling adjusts front/rear wheel torque distribution between 100 percent front-wheel drive to 50/50 front/rear-wheel drive.

Engineers also made a host of changes, one of which is a diagonal brace structure behind the rear seatbacks, to increase the MAZDASPEED6's body stiffness by approximately 40 percent over a conventional 6. Changes to the front double-wishbone suspension include a 25 percent higher spring rate for the coil springs and an increase from 23 to 24 mm in the diameter of the stabilizer bar.

So no one will mistake it for anything but Mazda's ultimate performance sedan, MAZDASPEED6 will be the first Mazda sedan to be sold with 18" wheels as standard. Other visual clues that this is the most powerful car ever sold by Mazda include a revised front bumper and lower grille section, flared side skirts, a compact rear lip spoiler and an aerodynamic rear bumper with built-in diffuser for the integrated exhaust tailpipe.

Moist Silver, a new color added for the MAZDASPEED6, has an almost moist sheen to it. Moist Silver is a new color added for the MAZDASPEED6. The color has an almost moist sheen to it that is designed to reflect, according to one Mazda official, the "elegant simplicity found where mist appears in Japanese ink paintings or in landscapes such as those seen along the shores of the Inland Sea of Japan."

Inside the cockpit, there is a custom six-speed manual transmission shift knob and semi-bucket front seats that vastly improve side support.

"All you have to do is take one look at the MAZDASPEED6, sit behind the wheel and press the accelerator to immediately understand the true spirit behind the product concept of sophistication and high performance,” said Ohmoto.

The ultimate Mazda sedan debuted at the 2004 Paris Motor Show as the MAZDA6 MPS. Mazda plans to use the name MAZDA6 MPS in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The car will be called MAZDASPEED6 in North America and MAZDASPEED Atenza in Japan.

No matter what its name, the result is the most powerful car ever sold by Mazda.