Mazdaspeed6

Introduction

Boasting a unique 2.3-liter direct-injection turbo-charged four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission and a high-tech Active Torque-Split All-Wheel Drive system, the Mazdaspeed6 has all the performance and passion of a specialist rally replica, but with the refinement of a luxury sedan. There's no need to buy earplugs and hire a chiropractor every time you go for a drive.

Mazda's Zoom-Zoom philosophy is applied to every aspect of the Mazdaspeed6 from a subtly aggressive bodykit to a cabin that's been created especially for the sporting driver.



The Mazdaspeed6 is not just about speed. As befits a top-of-the-line model, the Mazdaspeed6 offers a host of creature comforts that the "rally replicas" could only hope for, such as comfortable and supportive seats with optionally available leather trim, a six-speaker AM/FM/CD sound system with an optional BOSE audio system featuring a six-disc CD changer, standard xenon headlights, and optionally available moonroof and DVD-based navigation system.


Mazda has always been a powerplant pioneer. The 13B RENESIS rotary unit in the sensational RX-8 is the world's only production rotary engine and now the Mazdaspeed6 launches with a boundary-breaking engine of its own.

The all-aluminum 2.3-liter in-line four-cylinder, 16-valve engine in the Mazdaspeed6 is one of the first direct-injection, turbocharged, gasoline engines available in North America. Mazda uses the moniker Direct Injection Spark Ignition (DISI) to describe the engine. And this is just the first of a number of planned applications for this powerplant.

The 2.3-liter DISI engine produces 274 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 280 lb-ft of torque at just 3,000 rpm. With the turbo spinning so eagerly, there's torque on tap at very low revs, giving the Mazdaspeed6 amazing in-gear acceleration. And the benefits of the DISI technology, coupled with a fast-spinning turbocharger, further support the original promise of Mazdaspeed6 being true to the original MAZDA 6 concept.

From the front, the most immediately attention-grabbing feature is the new grille and headlights. Headlight buckets receive a dark grey tint for a more aggressive look and feel, and fog lights are moved into the lower bumper area. Front fenders are aggressively flared to clear the larger wheels and send a powerful message.