The Mazda6 MPS is the latest and highest addition to their MPS range. With 256bhp and 280 lbft it should be fast - Mazda bills it as the the fastest, best handling and best braked saloon they have made, claiming a 150mph top speed and 0-100kmh in 6.6 seconds.
The 6 MPS will be a car with few options apart from the four paint colours. Standard equipment is comprehensive with a full range of airbags, leather interior and high-end stereo system. A six-speed gearbox has been developed for the car and the driver's seat is a powered, heated bucket-style one.
The level of entertainment on offer from that seat remains to be seen, but Mazda's recent history bodes rather well, as does the specification. The suspension is double wishbone at the front with multi-link to the rear, the steering rack has 2.6 turns lock to lock and the brakes are ventilated and solid discs front and rear.
The bodyshell is 50% stiffer than the standard 6's and the powertrain features a rear limited slip diff and a torque split system that uses real-time information to deliver up to 50% of torque to the rear wheels under acceleration, or to split the torque 50:50 front to rear in slippery conditions.
