Soooooo, it really does exist! I finally got a chance to see, touch, sit in, take pictures, and drool a bit over the MazdaSpeed6 this past Sunday. I was disappointed that someone was kind enough to vandalize the engine compartment in NY, preventing us Texans from being able to get a look under the hood 
I guess I should be happy, though, 'cause i 've heard that some shows even kept the doors locked. The chassis and engine cutaways did not make it to Dallas, so I was forced to crawl around on the floor trying to get a look at the suspension, AWD system, and wheel/tire/brake clearences.
The silver is a VERY pretty color....almost silky-like. This prototype was a GT model, with full leather (black & white) and the navigation system, but no moonroof. I would prefer a more subtle interior and hope the cloth interior is. Does anyone know?
From all the pictures I've seen, and despite what most have said, I liked the wheels.......until I saw them in person Now, I think they are too busy, and TOO BIG! If Mazda doesn't make some changes on the production cars, I will. Although the front rotors/calipers are huge, I measured 20mm space from caliper-to-rim, so a 17" should fit. It looks like there is about 25mm space from the sidewall to upper suspension arm on the front, so a nice wide rim should work just fine with a 235, maybe even a 245 width. The rear, however is a different story: The front lower control arm only has about 15mm clearence to the edge of the rim. It may gain another couple with a 17" rim, but it will be close. Everywhere else there is LOTS of clearence.
The front of the car has disappointed me...... It APPEARS that there are lots of HUGE air inlets on the car, but probably half of the grill is closed and ALL of the brake duct inlets. Why put an aggressive facade on the car when it is only for show? Surprisingly, the extra bulge on the hood for the intercooler air intakes looks nice.
As has been pointed out in the past, tail pipes are also for show! Why bother, Mazda? The black diffusers look dorky, and I will probably paint them car color......
The muffler is HUGE. It almost needs a trailer to haul it around. The rest of the undercarriage is very sleek and areodynamic, which should help push the car to that 150mph top speed.
I like the rear spoiler much better than the wing on our current 6S. It is much more subtle, sleek, and probably produces more down force at speed.
Overall, I am pleased with the car. I am thinking of changing color on my order, though. I like the white pearl, but am beginning to think ths car deserves to be RED.........
The only problem is this: Yesterday, we were lucky enough to spend a couple of hours with a 2006 Miata. Didn't get to drive it, but checked it out very thoroughly and was very impressed. All of the "good stuff" has been made better, from the aluminum a-arms, to more suspension travel, to 5.3" engine setback, to bigger brakes, to a 3" wider track, and a 170HP 2.0L engine. Now if they would just take off all the luxo garbage and make it like 1990 base car, it would be perfect
I guess I should be happy, though, 'cause i 've heard that some shows even kept the doors locked. The chassis and engine cutaways did not make it to Dallas, so I was forced to crawl around on the floor trying to get a look at the suspension, AWD system, and wheel/tire/brake clearences.The silver is a VERY pretty color....almost silky-like. This prototype was a GT model, with full leather (black & white) and the navigation system, but no moonroof. I would prefer a more subtle interior and hope the cloth interior is. Does anyone know?
From all the pictures I've seen, and despite what most have said, I liked the wheels.......until I saw them in person
Now, I think they are too busy, and TOO BIG! If Mazda doesn't make some changes on the production cars, I will. Although the front rotors/calipers are huge, I measured 20mm space from caliper-to-rim, so a 17" should fit. It looks like there is about 25mm space from the sidewall to upper suspension arm on the front, so a nice wide rim should work just fine with a 235, maybe even a 245 width. The rear, however is a different story: The front lower control arm only has about 15mm clearence to the edge of the rim. It may gain another couple with a 17" rim, but it will be close. Everywhere else there is LOTS of clearence.The front of the car has disappointed me...... It APPEARS that there are lots of HUGE air inlets on the car, but probably half of the grill is closed and ALL of the brake duct inlets. Why put an aggressive facade on the car when it is only for show? Surprisingly, the extra bulge on the hood for the intercooler air intakes looks nice.
As has been pointed out in the past, tail pipes are also for show! Why bother, Mazda? The black diffusers look dorky, and I will probably paint them car color......
The muffler is HUGE. It almost needs a trailer to haul it around. The rest of the undercarriage is very sleek and areodynamic, which should help push the car to that 150mph top speed.
I like the rear spoiler much better than the wing on our current 6S. It is much more subtle, sleek, and probably produces more down force at speed.
Overall, I am pleased with the car. I am thinking of changing color on my order, though. I like the white pearl, but am beginning to think ths car deserves to be RED.........
The only problem is this: Yesterday, we were lucky enough to spend a couple of hours with a 2006 Miata. Didn't get to drive it, but checked it out very thoroughly and was very impressed. All of the "good stuff" has been made better, from the aluminum a-arms, to more suspension travel, to 5.3" engine setback, to bigger brakes, to a 3" wider track, and a 170HP 2.0L engine. Now if they would just take off all the luxo garbage and make it like 1990 base car, it would be perfect
Last edited:
