Review: Mazda GH Mazda6 (2008-12)

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• Willing petrol engines
• Fuel-efficient turbo-diesel engine
• Comfortable, spacious interior
• Accurate, well-weighted steering
• Impressive ride/handling balance…

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• … but firm ride on 18-inch wheels
• Cabin lacks sound insulation
• Instruments hard to read at night

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Review: Mazda GH.I Mazda6 (2008-10)

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Overview

Released in February 2008, the Mazda GH Series I (GH.I) Mazda6 was available as a liftback, sedan or wagon. Manufactured in Japan, the front-wheel drive Mazda GH Mazda6 was initially powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and the range consisted of the Limited, Classic, Luxury and Luxury Sports variants. In December 2008, however, the range was expanded with the introduction of a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine which was available in the Diesel and Diesel Sports variants.

L5-VE and MZR-CD engines

Of the engines,

• The 2.5-litre L5-VE four-cylinder petrol engine had an aluminium block and cylinder head, 4340 steel-molybdenum alloy cylinder liners, a forged steel crankshaft, double overhead camshafts (chain-driven), variable intake valve timing (Mazda’s Sequential Valve Timing, or S-VT), four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 9.7:1; and,
• The 2.2-litre MZR-CD R2 2008 diesel engine had a cast iron block and aluminium alloy lower block, an aluminium alloy cylinder head, common-rail direct injection (operating at 200 MPa), a variable geometry turbocharger, intercooler, double overhead camshafts (chain-driven), four valves per cylinder, a compression ratio of 16.3:1, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and a diesel particulate filter.

The engines were mated to five-speed FS5A-EL automatic or six-speed Getrag G66M-R manual transmissions.

Dimensions and body

Compared to their GG/GY Mazda6 predecessors, the GH Mazda6 sedan and liftback were 65 mm longer (at 4735 mm), 15 mm wider (1795 mm) and had a 50 mm longer wheelbase (2725 mm). Whereas the sedan was 5 mm taller (1440 mm), the liftback and wagon were 55 mm taller (1490 mm), while the wagon was also 30 mm longer (4765 mm) for additional cargo space. The new bodyshell had seven per cent more high and ultra-high strength steel, with torsional rigidity increased by 14 per cent for the sedan, 30 per cent for the liftback and 25 per cent for the wagon. Furthermore, a new rack-driven electric power assisted steering (EPAS) system was introduced.

Suspension

The double wishbone front suspension was revised with single-pivot type lower arms (previously double-pivot type), two additional perimeter frame mounting points (for a total of six) and new dynamic dampers for the upper arms. The multi-link ‘E-Type’ rear suspension received higher positioned and larger diameter trailing arm bushes (for improved rear lift control and more linear toe-angle change during rebound) and an upright layout for the rear dampers. [su_table responsive=”yes”]

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Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Mazda GH Mazda6 included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for all three rows), ABS, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability control, traction control, active front head restraints and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Brakes

The Mazda GH Mazda6 had 300 mm by 25 mm vented front brake discs and 280 mm by 10 mm solid rear discs.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , a Mazda 6 liftback with a 2.0-litre petrol engine received a five star safety rating which included a 77 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 81 per child occupant protection rating. In the frontal offset crash test, there was a slight risk of serious chest injury for the driver and a slight risk of serious leg injury for the front occupants. In the side impact test, there was a slight risk of serious chest injury for the driver. Under ANCAP’s methodology , this testing resulted in a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 32.74 out of 37.

Features: Mazda6 Limited, Classic, Diesel and Luxury

Standard features for the Mazda6 Limited included 16-inch steel wheels, a four speaker sound system with CD player, MP3-compatibility and auxiliary input, air conditioning, cruise control, split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power mirrors and windows, a tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable driver’s seat, tinted windows and an immobiliser.

The Mazda6 Classic and Diesel wagon models were further equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, a six speaker sound system with six-stack CD player, dual zone climate control air conditioning, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, front seat lumbar adjustment, front fog lights and trip computer; the Diesel wagon was also fitted with rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlights.

The Mazda6 Luxury added an eight speaker 240 watt Bose sound system, leather trim, xenon headlamps, an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat (with three-position memory), four-way adjustable passenger seat, leather-wrapped gearshift, power sunroof and ‘blackout’instrument cluster.

The range-topping Mazda6 Luxury Sports and Diesel Sports were differentiated by their 18-inch alloy wheels, full leather interior, body kit (including ‘aero’bumper, sports grille and rear spoiler) and aluminium pedals and footrest; unlike the Luxury Sports, however, the Diesel Sports hatch was not fitted with a sunroof. The automatic Luxury and Luxury Sports variants were also fitted with steering wheel gearshift paddles.

January 2009: Mazda6 update

From January 2009, the 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine could run on regular 91-octane unleaded petrol (previously 95-octane premium fuel was required) without any power loss or detriment to fuel economy. Standard features were extended to include rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, automatic headlights and an electrochromatic rear vision mirror. The Diesel Sports, Luxury and Luxury Sports variants were also fitted with directional, bi-xenon headlights.

Related links

• Press Kit: Mazda GH.I Mazda6 (February 2008)
• A to Z Booklet: Mazda GH.I Mazda6 (February 2008)
• Specifications: Mazda GH.I Mazda6 (February 2008)

Review: Mazda GH.II Mazda6 (2010-12)

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Overview

Released in March 2010, the GH Series II (GH.II) Mazda6 introduced a revised line-up and a subtle facelift. As part of the update, a Touring wagon variant was introduced, while the Luxury liftback was discontinued. Visually, the GH.II Mazda6 could be identified by its new front bumper, headlights, tail-lights and five-point grille.

MZR-CD engine

For the GH.II Mazda6, the 2.2-litre MZR-CD engine was fitted with a smaller, low-inertia turbocharger – the turbine impeller was reduced from 41.5 mm to 36.0 mm – for better fuel efficiency and less turbo lag. Furthermore, the thermal capacity of the exhaust system was reduced to comply with Euro IV emissions standards, while engine knock at low temperatures was reduced for quieter running. [su_table responsive=”yes”]

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Features

Features for the GH.II Mazda6 were substantially the same as the GH.I Mazda6, though a roof-mounted sunglasses holder was standard across the range. Furthermore, the Classic and the variants above it were also equipped with Bluetooth connectivity. The newly introduced Touring was positioned above the Classic, and featured leather trim, an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat (with three-position memory) and a four-way adjustable passenger seat.

October 2011: Mazda6 update

In October 2011, the range was revised as the Classic variants were discontinued, as were the Limited and Luxury sedan variants. As such, the Touring became the entry-level variant within the Mazda6 range and gained front and rear parking sensors as part of the update. A Sports liftback was also introduced and featured a fully-integrated satellite navigation system with a seven-inch touch-screen.

Related links

• Press Kit: Mazda GH.II Mazda6 (March 2010)
• Specifications: Mazda GH.II Mazda6 (March 2010)
• Wikipedia.org: Mazda GH Mazda6