Photo: Kolesa.ru
We've loved every version of the 6 sedan and wagon that Mazda has put out. It always feels energetic from behind the wheel, like a BMW that refuses to accept it's Japanese and FWD. However, Mazda is reportedly developing something even better for the next generation.
The current Mazda6 may be called "new," but it is actually just the second facelift of the older model. But Mazda wasn't quietly waiting for the end of the sedan era and instead was biding its time, waiting for the right time.
Sports sedans have stopped losing sales in virtually all markets, and according to a report from Car & Driver, the new Mazda6 is about to enter BMW and Mercedes territory. Instead of a normal car's FWD platform, this will use a new longitudinal architecture, probably shared with the successor to the RX-8 sports car.
Another headline-grabber is the engine, expected to be an all-new inline-six unit with Skyactiv-X technology and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. It might even be naturally aspirated since Mazda isn't a big supporter of turbocharging.
Now, these are just rumors, and nobody has seen any prototypes. But we do have the Vision Coupe design study, and using the confines of the RWD sports sedan segment, the Russian website Kolesa was able to craft this set of renderings.
The outcome is surprisingly subdued, relying mainly on simple round curves to define the body. However, that plus the round lights make it look like an older Alfa Romeo model. It's not surprising since we see a lot of Alfa in the smaller Mazda3 models as well.
As car fans, we'd urge them to go forward and maybe also develop a wagon or a MazdaSport6. However, looking at the Kia Stinger sales, we start to wonder if this will turn into a money pit Mazda can't dig itself out of. Maybe the best idea is to find a partner for this project, like Lexus/Toyota.
Sports sedans have stopped losing sales in virtually all markets, and according to a report from Car & Driver, the new Mazda6 is about to enter BMW and Mercedes territory. Instead of a normal car's FWD platform, this will use a new longitudinal architecture, probably shared with the successor to the RX-8 sports car.
Another headline-grabber is the engine, expected to be an all-new inline-six unit with Skyactiv-X technology and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. It might even be naturally aspirated since Mazda isn't a big supporter of turbocharging.
Now, these are just rumors, and nobody has seen any prototypes. But we do have the Vision Coupe design study, and using the confines of the RWD sports sedan segment, the Russian website Kolesa was able to craft this set of renderings.
The outcome is surprisingly subdued, relying mainly on simple round curves to define the body. However, that plus the round lights make it look like an older Alfa Romeo model. It's not surprising since we see a lot of Alfa in the smaller Mazda3 models as well.
As car fans, we'd urge them to go forward and maybe also develop a wagon or a MazdaSport6. However, looking at the Kia Stinger sales, we start to wonder if this will turn into a money pit Mazda can't dig itself out of. Maybe the best idea is to find a partner for this project, like Lexus/Toyota.
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