Mazda gets a clue? JDM 2011 Mazda6 goodness and zoom-zoom returns to the USA

[Viber]

Problems with current USDM Mazda6

 

1. Ugly

2. Huge

3. Technically inferior to the Mazda3.

4. Differs too greatly from the JDM model, which means less nifty goodies

5. Loss of Zoom Zoom persona

 

Add it all up, and you have a car that sells poorly compared to its predecessor

 

Looks like Mazda is returning the world car JDM goodness to the USA, and the Mazda6 can once again become the flagship of the brand, instead of having its role usurped by the competition crushing Mazda3

 

http://www.zercustoms.com/news/images/Mazda/2011-Mazda6-facelift-4.jpg

 

 

 

http://image.motortrend.com/f/auto_shows/geneva/2010/1003_112_2011_mazda_mazda6/32456340+w750+st0/2011-mazda6-front-three-quarter.jpg

 

http://image.motortrend.com/f/auto_shows/geneva/2010/1003_112_2011_mazda_mazda6/26811953/2011-mazda6-interior.jpg

 

http://image.motortrend.com/f/auto_shows/geneva/2010/1003_112_2011_mazda_mazda6/32456337+w750+st0/2011-mazda6-front.jpg

 

http://image.motortrend.com/f/auto_shows/geneva/2010/1003_112_2011_mazda_mazda6/32456334+w750+st0/2011-mazda6-rear.jpg

 

http://media.il.edmunds-media.com/mazda/atenza/ns/mazda_atenza_f34_ns_12610_815.jpg

 

Will there be a wagon?

 

http://www.zercustoms.com/news/images/Mazda/2011-Mazda6-facelift-1.jpg

 

Will there be a hatch?

 

http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/201001/2011-mazda6-7_1280x0w.jpg

[TPLGT]

fugly...they did no better.

[Bbc84]

I think it was better before, only thing I like is the clearer tails, but the current 2010 USDM model looks pretty nice.

[IwannaSportSedan]

This is good news!!!

 

The USDM model is a bloated mess, as is the 2010 Legacy.

 

If they offer a 5-door sedan bodystyle with a V6, manual gearbox, and even just haldex AWD... it might be tempting, even if it isn't as good as Subaru *could* have done with the 2010 Legacy, but didn't.

 

I still wish they would get on the stick, and do a real, proper sport sedan, with RWD. Their "Zoom-Zoom Soul of a Sports Car" schtick is becoming lip service, as Miata bears it alone, and without a turbo or rotary option, and RX8 sales wane in the limbo between coupe and sedan, with very little trunk space, and no standard spare tire, which doesn't help practicality; but more doors and seats than a real weekend race car needs.

 

The RX8 needs to get out of limbo, and just become a RWD sport sedan, with an option of both rotary and piston engines... RX8 or MX8 respectively. A sleek roofline, and a liftback hatch... basically a $29-39K range junior Rapide, from Mazda.

 

Then they can let the RX9, or RX7 FE-3S, or whatever they want to call it, be a true coupe, with 2 side doors and a fastback hatch, like the FC and FD, and just between the current Miata and 2+2 RX8 in size.... All with rotary or I4 and V6 piston engine choices... RX or MX designations, respectively.

[Viber]

 

The USDM model is a bloated mess, as is the 2010 Legacy.

 

If they offer a 5-door sedan bodystyle with a V6, manual gearbox, and even just haldex AWD... it might be tempting, even if it isn't as good as Subaru *could* have done with the 2010 Legacy, but didn't.

 

.

 

I would be all over a world car, 5-door sedan with AWD (Turbo or V6 with an auto)

 

Mazda offers great handling, feature loaded vehicles.

 

The current USDM Mazda6 is a joke however.

[pillboy]

I will not get a Mazda until they get rid of that goofy ass grin (grille).

[rao]

Does it have folding mirrors?

[DickDastardly00]

I'm not feeling it. That front end has got to go, it's just fugly.

[LosAngelesLGT]

I kinda like the wagon side view

[Guest]

Where did you get the news U.S. is getting the ROW version of Mazda 6?

 

This article mentions that the U.S. specific boat will get a refresh later:

 

http://www.insideline.com/mazda/6/2011/2011-mazda-6-2010-geneva-auto-show.html

 

Doesn't sound like the boat goes away

[cyniclaus]

The last Mazdaspeed6 was a great car...I used to own one. In stock form, it was better than the SpecB in almost every way. The only reason it lost in 0-60 was due to gearing (couldn't hit 60 in 2nd).

 

The problem was, it was tuned near to it's limits from the factory. When I started looking into mods, I found that gains were marginal and a lot of people looking for big power were damaging their engines. The few who were successful in getting power were blowing up drivetrain components (shearing half-axles and the like). I traded it in for an Evo that went from 225 to 300 WHP with a catback and an Accessport tune.

 

I don't know if some Japanese manufacturers just aren't over-engineering their cars like they used to, or if the factory tuning houses are just much more agressive...probably both.

 

At any rate, if and only if they make a new AWD turbo 6 MT, I might give the 6 a second chance. Other than that, the only car I might buy from them would be an MX5 for track or AutoX. Even there, it would be hard to ignore the Ecotec Solstice.