MSP6 Owners, rear seat info needed + pics

[daverup]

Greetings,
Some of you probably already saw my thread on this subject on another board and are not interested, that's ok with me.
If there is an owner of a North American Speed 6 who is willing, I would really like to know exactly how the rear seat back is attached.
The fact is it doesn't fold, I know that much. If it is a folding seat that is bolted instead of latched, I'd really like to find out.
The only way to find out is from someone who has the car and is willing to remove the cover in the trunk behind the rear seat which hides the braces.
We have seen this pic:
Autoexe rear brace pic
Which shows the seats apparently folded on a Japan spec car.
So far no one on the other board has taken a look, anyone here interested?
Thanks

 

[Newf]

i would like to know this as well.

 

[BlkZoomZoom]

It is a redesigned backseat that cannot be folded down. It is bolted in and does not have any type of hinge for it to fold.
The reason is Mazda installed huge trunk braces right behind the seat to increase rigdity of the chassis. They installed extra braces all over the place, all of which help add up to a 50% stiffer chassis than a regular Mazda6.

 

[daverup]

It is a redesigned backseat that cannot be folded down. It is bolted in and does not have any type of hinge for it to fold.
The reason is Mazda installed huge trunk braces right behind the seat to increase rigdity of the chassis. They installed extra braces all over the place, all of which help add up to a 50% stiffer chassis than a regular Mazda6.

So,
Is the Japan spec version different than the North American, or is the picture just deceiving?

 

[BlkZoomZoom]

I don't know, didn't tear the seat out. Just curious why does it matter if they are the same or not?

 

[crossbow]

dave,

The Japanese spec MPS 6 is different from the US version. How much different? The differences between the standard 6 and the JDM 6 are pretty massive. When dealing with JDM mazda's, the best standpoint is to treat them as seperate models until proven otherwise.

The JDM Atenza weighs almost 200 lbs less then a US Spec 6i, outputs an additional 20 bhp by the 2.3 engine, has a 2 inch wider wheel base, and has different front and rear bumpers, as well as having different engine internals, option packages, exhaust systems, and body dimensions.

As such I'm still curious about a US spec owner removing the covering and checking it out for us. Who knows, it might work!

 

[daverup]

dave,

The Japanese spec MPS 6 is different from the US version. How much different? The differences between the standard 6 and the JDM 6 are pretty massive. When dealing with JDM mazda's, the best standpoint is to treat them as seperate models until proven otherwise.

The JDM Atenza weighs almost 200 lbs less then a US Spec 6i, outputs an additional 20 bhp by the 2.3 engine, has a 2 inch wider wheel base, and has different front and rear bumpers, as well as having different engine internals, option packages, exhaust systems, and body dimensions.

As such I'm still curious about a US spec owner removing the covering and checking it out for us. Who knows, it might work!

Thanks for the info,
I was hoping for better news for those of us who really want those seats to fold, limited space or not. If the rear seat is really divided 60/40 like it appears in the brochure, it would have been nice if they had left the hinges in there for the seat folding.
As it is, it's going to be a pretty serious mod to get all that working, I'm not feeling that bold at the moment.
Maybe if someone does take it apart, then there will be better info on which to make a decision.
Dave

 

[crossbow]

I suggest someone give me an MPS 6, and I'll be happy to tear the interior apart .

 

[Newf]

I can't believe they never even thought of a pass through.....bad mazda....bad.

 

[onedeath]

Check out the How To section.

The rear seats DO FOLD DOWN!

Did it today. (thumb)

 

[daverup]

Check out the How To section.

The rear seats DO FOLD DOWN!

Did it today. (thumb)

Thanks, Again!!!