Spy Shots: 2008 Mazda 6

[nate0123]

mazda has a bunch of small hatch-type vehicles in japan - I heard they are considering bringing one of them over as a mazda2

 

[Kansei]

with gas prices approching $3.50 a gallon this summer, and already heading that way, mazda should be thinking about bringing back the 323 hatchback from 90-94 with a modern redesign.. not about building 1950's buick sized mazda6's . then again, i'm prejudiced to that 'old' 323 design.

Agreed. We need some Mazda2 here now! I would love one.

 

[nate0123]

Agreed. We need some Mazda2 here now! I would love one.

me too ... lightweight compact zoom-zoom

 

[DE31]

i got to see the older model in person, fell in love with the mini P5.

 

[clicknext]

I think that it actually is a smart move for them to make a bigger car. Right now the Mazda3 and Mazda6, while significantly different in size, are close enough for people to be comparing between the two. They already have a small-ish sedan in the Mazda3, they don't need to keep two. I agree with the Mazda2, they should definitely bring it over. They're already behind Honda, Toyota and some other companies like GM in that department, who have brought out the Fit, Yaris, and Aveo. I believe that there is finally going to be significant demand for those cars in the future.

 

[RHAGEL]

If you actually compare the interior dimensions of the 3 and 6, they are very similar. Like always, Mazda is falling behind the pack. Their strategy is to make room for a new segment. For example, Nissan. They moved all of their cars up market to make room for the Versa, Honda with the Fit and Toyota with the Yaris. These will be the compact while the 3, Sentra, Civic and Corolla will be the "premium compacts" it is very similar to what oil conscious Europe has been doing for years. People are demanding the maximum value for the money they can spend. With more segments to choose from you can better fit your view of value vs. dollar. I think its great.

 

[RHAGEL]

I think that it actually is a smart move for them to make a bigger car. Right now the Mazda3 and Mazda6, while significantly different in size, are close enough for people to be comparing between the two. They already have a small-ish sedan in the Mazda3, they don't need to keep two. I agree with the Mazda2, they should definitely bring it over. They're already behind Honda, Toyota and some other companies like GM in that department, who have brought out the Fit, Yaris, and Aveo. I believe that there is finally going to be significant demand for those cars in the future.

That is what I was saying, I guess you beat me to it.

 

[Maxx Mazda]

I kinda liked the sportiness the "old" 6 had to offe, being a smaller car. They're making it into more of a family sedan by making it bigger...

 

[randomlinh]

It'll be neat to see how the redesign goes over. But I don't like the idea of moving away from the smaller car.

I agree.. but as others have said, they need to compete in their segment... camry, accord, altima.. all roomy. All also have a hefty v6 option that is missing from the 6.

But that's why I got my 3 Now to put a turbo into it...

 

[nate0123]

I agree.. but as others have said, they need to compete in their segment... camry, accord, altima.. all roomy. All also have a hefty v6 option that is missing from the 6.

when will this end? if we continue on this trajectory, pretty soon a base civic will have a 500hp blown v8

I always thought the 215 hp v6 had plenty of power for a family sedan

 

[RHAGEL]

I don't think the end it too far off. If gas prices keep going the way they are, trends are going to change very quickly. The american public is pretty naive when it comes to the auto industry. The mentality is "Lets get rid of our gas sucking SUV and replace it with a 345 hp Hemi 300C". Maybe gas consumption is a little better because of weight and aerodynamics, but when it comes down to it, Americans love their big, gas sucking engines.

 

[crossbow]

I could kill for a civic CTDi Diesel 2.2. Damn car weighs 2700 lbs (or so), gets 55.4 mpg, and has 250 ft/lbs of torque and 138 bhp! I wish they sold it here .

 

[2003newlyack]

haha it looks like there is a trailer hitch

 

[Shawn704]

Someone posted this at a blog..

It will come out in 2007 as a 2008 model. The 2.3 will get tweaked and the V6 will get the Ford Cyclone 3.5. So it's bascially the same size as the Ford Fusion since that is a larger Mazda 6 platform.

 

[nate0123]

^ that looks pretty cool, wonder how accurate it is?

 

[Kansei]

Someone posted this at a blog..

It will come out in 2007 as a 2008 model. The 2.3 will get tweaked and the V6 will get the Ford Cyclone 3.5. So it's bascially the same size as the Ford Fusion since that is a larger Mazda 6 platform.

wow.

 

[AWD6]

^agreed^

 

[Kansei]

oh no though.. the headlights look a little bit like the Camry headlights.. yeah, the new Camry headlights look like the 02 6 headlights but still.. if anything I would try to distance myself from that boringmobile lol.

 

[Shawn704]

To me it looks like the RX-8 headlights but longer and the grille is from the Japanese MPV.

If anyone can read Japanese...on another forum someone translated it partly and it mentions May 2007 and Atenza...so it does look like it's the 2008 Mazda 6, but the drawing isn't final.

 

[Da 6]

I kinda like that one...I just hope they built it good enough to not plow like the current V6.