MS6 Now on Mazdausa.com

[shaolin]

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=mazdaSpeed6

Looks really promising, yet I read this on another forum:

Here I thought you'd guys be actually tearing the car apart...Well since I own a 6, I'll help bash it with you.

Failures of the Mazda 6 MPS

1) A redesigned hood so they could fit a "top mounted intercooler"...yet absolutely zero airflow for the intercooler. Yay. Maybe they were going to put a scoop, decided against it, and didn't have time to put a front mounted intercooler on the car. Or maybe they don't care.

2) A FWD car, touted as AWD. Lots of fancy terminology and techno speak for a car that drives around as 100:0, and only splits torque to the rear when wheel slipage occurs, and only then (worst here) at a 50:50 ratio. Unlike car's such as the Volvo S60R (30:70), or subaru legacy (45:55 normally), Mazda's solution is basically "ultra" FWD.

3) For some reason they choose to identically copy the Acura TL grill. Maybe they ran out of ideas? The standard A-spec Mazdaspeed6 was far nicer.

4) It appears that the transfer case is "water cooled" or to quote the fancy pr speak completely...

"The Power Take Off (PTO) system that that aggressively distributes torque to the rear axle is fitted with its own water-cooled cooling system. "

Which all sounds good and nice...till you read between the lines. Why the hell does the transfer case "NEED" to be water cooled. Manufacturers don't just "add" neato "cooling features" without some dire need to. Who wants to bet the transfer case will snap in half without water cooling? Maybe this is why its max rear distribution is only a maximum of 140 ft/lbs of torque.

5) Mazda did nothing to the fender wells. Their still extremely narrow in the rear, and any type of aggressive rims (aka x8 inch wide wheels) require rolling. Their replacement mazdaspeed wheels are just heavier 18x7 wheels with 215/45/18 rubber. Sigh.

6) Cost...I think I'll take an Evo MR, Rx8, or used Z06 instead.

7) Internals? Are they beefed up? A Standard 6i has a cast iron crank, standard pistons, and sinister forged rods. Its massive stroke of 94 mm leaves its rods extremely vulnerable to damage, even with minor boost levels (if they didn't beef them up heavily). See miata's for more information on long stroke piston motors.

I hope they aren't pulling an MSP.

Thoughts?

 

[vodapas77]

Now, where is boostisgood? lol.

 

[TheJohnny]

oh look at you Mr. Private Eye..hehehe..

 

[mp3moose]

Look at that intercooler location. Thats either 1) a certain way to go zero flow or 2) begging for a hood scoop.

 

[TheJohnny]

I have a feeling that it somehow fits to the hood and cold air is directed into it... just an idea....

 

[mp3moose]

Even so, thats horrible. There is no way it will get 20% of the flow it needs to run at efficency.

 

[timba24]

im sure it would run fine hell the grill may have some play in directing air towards the intercooler.

 

[shaolin]

Guess you guys never read ,y post about my disucssion with Kelvin Hirashi.(lead Mazdaspeed USA engineer) After the Miata speed. there are no other vehicles slated to be released in the states, under the Mazdaspeed banner.

See what happens when you think you know everything, and believe everything you see/read?

 

[mp3moose]

im sure it would run fine hell the grill may have some play in directing air towards the intercooler.

No way man. People think heat soak on the msp is bad, this thing is going to suck hardcore when it heats up. Hell, wrx/sti's have bad heat soak and they have a scoop. Even if the entire grill was the opening for a ducting system its not as big as the intercooler nor would that keep the air moving across the fins enough. Read a little on air to air intercoolers, they need tons of air with with ducting like this:

\intercooler/
\ /

^
air
^

Its hard to explain in text. Unless there is something missing (like that aftercooler is air to water or something) its got to be hugely inefficent. 20-30% tops.

 

[mp3moose]

^^ that diagram didn't work at all...ignore it.

 

[Black Majik MSP]

A while ago, I probably would have taken offense to the MSP comparison, but I've had my car for a year now & I think it's justified. It's sad to see that Mazda loves to cop out on the design fundamentals for cars that are supposedly designed for high performance.

 

[Newf]

for the record, the MPS concept was done before the Acura.

I caught on to this years ago, and made a post on it.


Anyways, I agree with the rest of it.

 

[SVTJayC]

At first i agreed with the intercooler problem, however, upon further review, it seems that the grille-hood combo is designed with the sole purpose to channel cool air in and over the intercooler.

The AWD issue does suck though. 50/50 being the best it can do. Probably a rear differential stress issue. Though, since its computer controlled, it will be interesting to see who gets 0/100 first, and if they break anything.

 

[swopey]

Guess we'll just have to wait until someone buys one to find out the truth. Looks great on paper but i would have rather seen a turbo/supercharged V6 then the 2.3Lt 4cyl. Sounds like a millenia to me. Think i will just stick with the old 6S for a while.

 

[Da 6]

V6 plows to much to factory boost...what tires is on the speed 6 now that I think of it? also how much insurance would it be to have turbo 4 over a super v6?

 

[jeffmsp]

its funny how mazda makes a 280hp AWD car and people complain. Its not as good as an STI but spanks the WRX, works for me.

 

[b00sted]

i guess mazda still doesnt believe in real bucket seats

 

[Mazda3]

i guess mazda still doesnt believe in real bucket seats

Dude....some of us are viewing this form at work or in front of our kids. Although I like a nice tight ass as much as the next guy a car form isn't really the place for that sig. Lots of porn on the net to view at our leisure.