Mazda 6 – Economy and Power

Economy and Power with Stylish new Mazda

The introduciton this year of the 2.2 litre turbodiesel engine makes the Mazda6 an even better proposition with more power, better economy and greener credentials.

Mazda 6 2.2D TS 5dr
Engine : 2.2 litre diesel
Power : 163 bhp
0-60 : 9.2secs
Top Speed : 130mph
Combined mpg : 58.9mpg
OTR price : £18,639

The Mazda6 has stood out as one of the most stylish family hatchbacks. Its two litre diesel engine gave buyers the much needed economy they wanted.

But the new 2.2 engine raises the bar even further. There’s choice of three power outputs – 125, 163 or 185 bhp – but the mid range version has the best punch to the pound.
It handled twising country roads as well as fast straight stretches, with no trouble whatsoever. It has lower exhasut emissions and a new particulate filter system. There’s a choice of five equipment levels (S, TS, TS2, Sport and SL) and three body styles.

The 163bhp version’s 58.9mpg and 147g/km are highly commendable against rivals. The new diesel engine pulls keenly and is quiet in most conditions, though becomes a little uncouth when worked hard.

You can take it to bends with confidence and still have a smug satisfaction that you are getting the best of both worlds – performance and economy.

The engine has plenty of low to mid-rev urge, and hums along quietly all the way to the motorway maximum. The six speed manual gearbox gave no cause for complaint.

The dash is attractive it’s all very clear and concise, with soft touch plastics. And its loaded with plenty of safety features and impressive credentials.

It achieves five stars in the revised Euro NCAP crash tests, including top rating for adult occupation protection, child occupation protection, pedestrian protection and the new are of assessment, safety assist.

A notable addition is the land -change rear vehicle monitoring sysyem, standard on mazda 6 TS2 models and upwards, where a light flashes to alert you of a vehicle or motor cycle in the blind spot and about to overtake. If you miss this and switch on your indicator to pull out in front of him a beeper sounds, warning you not to change lanes.

Standard equipment on S models includes: dynamic stability control and traction control system, six airbags and “active” front seat head restraints 16 inch alloy wheels, remote central locking, manual air-conditioning, 60/40 split folding rear seats, single CD audio system with four speakers and auxiliary jack for MP3 players.

Mazda 6 TS models get electric and heated door mirrors, cruise control, trip computer with speed alarm, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, leather steering wheel and gear knob, six audio speakers, a rear seat centre armrest and CF-Net steering wheels controls.

Mazda 6 TS2 models add 17inch alloys, electric folding door mirrors, dusk sensing lights, rain sensing wipers, integrated blue tooth.

Mazda 6 prices start from £14,891 and the 11 models with the new 2.2 litre engine start at £15,869. The TS2 Mazda model tested however is £18,639.