With all the improvements done on the engine, it would only be logical to gift the 6 with beefier brakes. A larger brake master cylinder together with larger front disc brakes improve braking distances, bringing the 6 to a halt from 100 km/h in just 39 meters. Responding to the need for getter mechanical grip, the 2008 Mazda 6 will also benefit from larger diameter tire choices: 215/50 R 17 (the sport package upgrades this to 225/45 R 18).
The use of high tensile and ultra-high tensile steel is a page lifted from the German design book, and Mazda is unabashed about it. The new 6 features a much more rigid body (14 percent improvement for the sedan), without exacting a weight penalty. The new body is equally more fluid as well. The aerodynamics are now certainly class leading with a 0.27 Cd (co-efficient of drag).
Though the creature features of the Mazda 6 will largely depend on the market, Mazda did mention that the 6 will get a slew of new and exciting features. First up is Mazda's new CF-Net (Cross Functional Network). This enables a combination of switches on the steering wheel to operate the navigation, entertainment, climate control and other information systems without removing the hands from the wheel. The 6's multi-information display on the top of the instrument panel has been retained for this new model as well.
Dual-zone climate control as well as a keyless engine start/stop feature have made it unto the 6's options list for the first time Making a return though is the tried-and-tested BOSE premium sound system. Feeding through 8 high-fidelity speakers, the new 6 will also make use of a Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone interface.
In terms of safety features, the new 6 already benefits from a much more rigid body. Beyond that, the usual ABCs of safety: six SRS airbags, anti-lock brakes with brakeforce distribution and brake assist all make it to the list. Some new additions though are: DSC or Dynamic Stability Control (a much more upgraded traction control system), AFS or Adaptive Front Lighting System (allows for the headlight to follow the car's steering angle) and a front and rear proximity parking system.
The all-new Mazda 6 will be launched in Europe of this year with Japan soon to follow. The North American market will get an exclusive 6 which will be larger (around the size of a Honda Accord) that will appear during the Summer of 2008.
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| The interior's largely clutter free and based on early responses, matches the Germans for both feel and quality. |
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| Circular-look audio system is a design nod to the RX-8. |
