Friday, March 25, 2011

Mazda6 Sport Wagon, family and determination to sell

It was 2002 when he officially presented the first generation. Since then, the Mazda 6 has come a long way carving out its market space with a dynamic design, compelling content and a lower price than the competition. Now in its third generation (the second debuted in 2006), the Mazda 6 has been revived once again, but without distorting the construction project and an identity that has made it known to the general public.

Compared to the previous five years ago are 400 changes made by the manufacturer inside and out. For a closer look we've got to put the whip on the streets Capitoline version Wagon top of the range equipped with the 4-cylinder diesel engine 2.2 MZR-CD 180 hp (Euro 5 and equipped with particulate filter) in the exclusive setting Sport.

The front is dynamic, aggressive, yet elegant. The "face" of the Mazda 6 is undoubtedly successful and can give personality without being exaggerated. Compared to the previous version have been subjected to alterations in the design of the central grille and bumpers that are more sports now and where the special chrome surrounds around the circular fog lamps.

Unchanged side view which highlights the compact profile of the tail and large taillights with LED technology. A little 'less convincing but the rear where emerging forms of family car because of the large tailgate and the bumper is not too high for easy access to the load (the standard capacity is 519 liters) in this version Wagon seats killed up to 1,751 liters capacity.

With regard to general measures, from technical details, the Mazda6 wagon is 4,785 mm long (only 3 cm more than the sedan), width 1,795 mm and 1,490 mm high on a wheelbase of 2,725 mm and a total weight of 1,500 kg dry. The interior of the Mazda 6 were virtually identical. The designers have taken more than a few more details: a shiny black frame for the center console also present on the 3-spoke steering wheel (with radio controls, cruise control, information on mileage and fuel consumption projected on the screen) and the three circular dials to manage climate earning the chrome rings improving the visual impact.

Good quality plastics and coatings. Like the manufacture of leather seats with visible stitching, a little 'less dark silver plastic material that will convince even aesthetically, it disappoints a bit' to the touch (and also improved some of the buttons). Excellent Instead, the sliding center armrest that does not hinder the maneuverability of the gearbox and handbrake, hosting inside a small storage compartment.

If the center console dominates the touch-screen - not very sensitive - with integrated navigation system and cd player hidden behind the LCD panel, the instrumentation of the Mazda6 is more essential than ever. In fact consists of four classic circular elements with chrome surrounds and backlight red / electric blue.

Generous in our view the full scale of the speedometer set at 260 km / h considering that the maximum speed stated by the manufacturer is 216 km / h. Good interior space above the front as the rear which provides a good comfort to enjoy running. Without too much circled around, the engine is the highlight of this car.

Question as that of a diesel 4-cylinder 2.2-liter front-wheel drive capable of delivering 180 horsepower (available in this step only in the Sport). A huge power for a car while responding to the needs of a family does not want to sacrifice his sporting nature. If the 2009 Mazda included three steps for this engine power of 125, 163 and 185 horses, the latter variation in 2.2 diesel loses only five horses to win but in terms of torque: 400 Nm at just 1,800 rpm, on the adoption of smaller turbines and other interventions on the pistons that improve efficiency.

Declared in acceleration from 0 100 km / h is 8.7 seconds. Most convincing recovery in the third and fourth gear thanks to generous torque allows to overtake without hesitation. Everything is managed by a 6-speed manual transmission from the precise engagement and the short hike that offers excellent maneuverability.

Despite almost 4.8 meters in length, the Mazda6 wagon is also maneuvers well in traffic in the capital. It suffers only in terms of rear visibility due to the very large rear window and tinted windows. We've got to try it on the highway, however, his beloved land. Here, the Mazda6 Wagon ensure a fair balance between ride comfort and dynamic qualities.

The road holding is good, thanks to a well-developed structure and light-alloy wheels with 18 inch tires 225/45 R18 (our sample was equipped with tires Dunlop SP Sport 2050). As for consumption, the Mazda6 Sport Wagon 2.2 diesel 180 hp is quite thirsty, especially in a city where "burn" about 7 liters per 100 km.

Most parsimonious instead on the combined cycle and suburban values respectively of 5.4 to 4.5 l/100 km. From our testing we found that with a full tank so to speak (64 liters in total) will travel about 700 km. As the sample had provided proof is in the top of the range (4 composition: base, Experience, Executive and Luxury).

The Sport package is in fact even a step above the already rich and Luxury includes in addition to front airbags, side and curtain airbags, electronic stability control and traction, even 18-inch alloy wheels, tinted windows, electrically adjustable leather seats - 4 position for the driver - and heated (2 positions), Intelligent Key with Start button for the ignition, aluminum sport pedals, steering wheel controls, Bose audio system with eight speakers, Bluetooth, Bi-Xenon adaptive Afs, pressure sensor tires, front and rear parking sensors, electrically folding exterior mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate and finally the Rear Vehicle Monitoring System (RVM) (also switched off) in the case of warning the driver if you are overtaking another oncoming car.

In short, from this point of view, the Mazda6 Sport Wagon 2.2 diesel 180 hp does not miss anything, for a list price set by the manufacturer in arriving at € 32,400 € 34,950 if you choose to add metallic paint (550 €) and the integrated navigation system (€ 2 thousand). More accessible without doubt the diesel versions that start with lower power, again for the wagon version, from 24,400 € (2.2 liter 129 horsepower equipment).

The Mazda 6, especially in the tested version, embodies the concept of a sport wagon. For several reasons: a dynamic and successful design, a complete set, but especially with an engine that, thanks to a maximum torque of 400 Nm undoubtedly gives some satisfaction. The list price of 32,400 € to many may seem a bit 'high, but it is equally true that the Sport version with 180 horsepower is the top of this model that is made even less driven by diesel engines 129 and 163 horses, perfectly able to meet the needs of the Italian public, with lower consumption (from the 2.2 129 hp) and of course lower prices.

Compared to the current competition, the Mazda6 wagon is in our opinion one of the most compelling cars, some still far from German marks for build quality and attention to detail, but able to win the comparison with those which are its natural rivals is to say Skoda Octavia Combi, Alfa Romeo 159 Sw, Opel Insignia Sports Tourer and Fiat Croma.

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