Mazda reveals 2009 Mazda6 for North America

[jetsetter]

Mazda has released the first photos and initial details on the new 2009 Mazda6. Designed specifically for North America, the car shares many cues with the Japanese and European-market cars that hit the scene over the last year. The car Americans and Canadians will drive is, in fact, bigger than its overseas counterparts. Visually, the front and rear fascias differ from the Japanese and European models as well. The USDM car gets a bisected grille and has its foglamps pushed out to the corners below the bumper. As we'd seen in spy photos, the car gets a completely different trunk, rear bumper, and exhaust treatment that's more appealing than the plainer setup Japanese and Europeans get.

Since Mazda released only exterior shots, we'll have to wait to see what the passenger accomodations look like. Base power comes from the same 2.5L four-cylinder base engine used in the Japan/Euro car, mated to either a 6-speed stick or 5-speed auto. The step-up 3.7L V6 is the same one you'll find under the hood of the CX-9. It's only transmission option is a six-speed auto with a manumatic sport shift feature. Horsepower and torque numbers for the USDM car haven't been released yet, but figure on seeing something in the neighborhood of 170 hp/166 lb-ft from the four. The six produces 273 horses and 270 lb-ft in CX-9 trim, so we'd expect something along those lines. Mazda's press release is pasted after the jump, in which you'll find no mention of either a wagon or 5-door hatchback variant. The '09 Mazda6 arrives as a sedan only, and it'll land in your local dealer showrooms later this summer.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/25/m...north-america/

[H0nzik]

Oh what have they done to the gorgeous Mazda 6? And the wagon, which is the prettiest of the lineup IMO will not be available in the US at all? One more reason why Europe is better than America.

[Wizegui]

Seems to be one of the best looking mid-sizers you can buy today. I'm not too keen on the recycled platform, rather than the newer European one, but it looks great. Good choices of engines and transmissions too. Any interior shots?

Originally Posted by H0nzik

Oh what have they done to the gorgeous Mazda 6? And the wagon, which is the prettiest of the lineup IMO will not be available in the US at all? One more reason why Europe is better than America.

I don't know about you, but from the front, it looks almost identical to the European one. The back looks ever better. Seems to look a bit fatter from the side though when you compare it to the European 6, but still a decent effort and better looking than any Camry, Malibu, Accord, and Altima out there.

[RUU-CHAMA]

It is obviously superior to the previous generation, but the looks are now love it or hate it. It still gets no diesel option I see.

[MadCow809]

Actually I prefer the current Mazda 6.

Somehow it looks much fatter now, and I don't like the front design, looks like the car's mouth is wide open.

The rear is quite nice though.

[Pedrocas]

I don't understand, what's wrong with the european design? Wouldn't it work over seas?

[prizrak]

It's not bad looking, the rear looks like it was "stolen" from the AM's though. I mean the lights are obviously different but something about the styling says AM to me.

[bartboy9891]

I think it looks nice, if a little plain. But nothing in its class looks particularly good, so it's got a chance. I'm already anticipating the Mazdaspeed version.

[MadCow809]

Originally Posted by Pedrocas

I don't understand, what's wrong with the european design? Wouldn't it work over seas?

Doesn't look big enough I guess.

The current shape Mazda 6 looks quite nimble and tiny compared to this new design.

[starfox07]

So generic looking...disappointing really.

[Final Daihatsu]

I think the euro-spec new 6 is the best looking.

[luvcars]

It looks really similar to the Euro one! Good

[jetsetter]

The only bit I like about the Euro version is the grill.

[Vette Boss]

The European model looks a bit slimmer overall, where the US model looks fat and squat, in comparison. Either way, it's a big improvement over the old model, which still looks good.

[fbc]

Great looking car - nice to see the Euro / Japan / Australia model's styling has been successfully carried over.

[H0nzik]

Originally Posted by Wizegui

I don't know about you, but from the front, it looks almost identical to the European one. The back looks ever better. Seems to look a bit fatter from the side though when you compare it to the European 6, but still a decent effort and better looking than any Camry, Malibu, Accord, and Altima out there.

Well giving it a second look it doesn't look that bad. But the thing is, what I really like about the european 6 is that it looks sporty and agressive and at the same time it looks elegant and not too busy or overdesigned. Which is quite a rare thing when it comes to japanese cars. And they've ruined that to some extent by adding all those unnecessary details to the american version. And that grill looked terrible already on the old US 6 and they had to go and use it on the new one again. And the sedan is the least good looking version of the new 6 anyway, IMO.

[smib]

Why do we always get ugly cars? pout.

[ahpadt]

The EU Mazda6 beats that hands down.

[emil_t]

they should make a hibrid with the euro-front and the us-back that'll be the good looking car

[CarShark]

Originally Posted by emil_t

they should make a hibrid with the euro-front and the us-back that'll be the good looking car

That's exactly what I was thinking. I don't get where all the "fat" comments are coming from.