Mazda6 2004 Review

The Mazda6 MPS sedan is the first in a series of hot cars to add more punch to the Mazda line-up.

The regular 6 has always been a good mid-sized car, but the front-wheel-drive model could benefit from more power.

The new turbo-blaster should roll on to Australian roads next June for about $55,000, meaning the Mazda6 MPS will have a premium about $3000 over the Subaru Liberty 3.0-R and cost about $2000 more than the Liberty GT.

But Mazda says the turbo 6 will take on other rivals.

"The Subaru would be a type of competitor, but when you look at the Mazda6's success and reputation, we'd like to consider competitors as including the BMW 330i and some of the quattro Audis," Mazda product design and development boss Joe Bakaj says.

Mazda went out of its way to make the special 6 look more conservative than its turbo rivals, creating a double-skinned bonnet with hidden intercooler air intake to avoid having a bonnet scoop.

"We made a concerted effort not to have a scoop," Mazda head designer Moray Callum says. "We wanted to show we weren't necessarily a Subaru competitor, we wanted to be a bit more upmarket.

"I wouldn't call it subtle, but it's not arrogant."

Mazda decided to use direct fuel injection for better engine response and good fuel economy.

The 2.3-litre DISI (direct injection spark ignition) engine uses a single scroll turbocharger that works hard to generate 15.6psi of boost.

The turbo unit is linked to an intercooler mounted on top of the engine rather than in front, because Mazda wanted less weight over the front of the car.

Mazda says engine internals have been strengthened, including the cylinder block and head, crankshaft and conrods.

A new compact six-speed manual was developed for the Mazda6 MPS and future MPS models, to fit in with the all-wheel-drive components. There is no automatic option.

The hot 6 has a new on-demand all-wheel-drive system using sensors to detect steering angle, side G-forces, the pivoting movement of the car and engine power to decide which wheels need more drive.

Up to 50 per cent of power can be fed to the rear wheels when needed.

Mazda says that because it uses a limited slip differential in the rear, the Mazda6 can power out of turns like a rear-wheel-drive car.

The all-wheel-drive system, plus extra body stiffening beams, pushes the MPS to about 1650kg.

On the road
The Mazda6 has always been good to drive but there's only so much fun you can have in a front-wheel-drive car.

Hook up the rear wheels, give the engine turbo power, stiffen the body and things start to get much more interesting.

We tested the left-hand drive Mazda6 MPS prototype cars in the wet at the former Grand Prix track, Aida TI, in Japan.

The initial impression is the car is much more potent than the subtle styling would suggest.

Mazda MPS engineers have delivered a smooth, seamless flow of torque. The 6 lunges off the line, using all four wheels to put down its power.

It's a fairly quiet affair inside but spectators can listen to a gruff roar as the engine winds up.

The plentiful torque is a treat on the track but should be even more enjoyable on real roads because you won't have to change gears too much to keep things cooking.

The only downside is the styling. Sure, Mazda is aiming for those who don't want to shout out that they have a turbo blaster but it could look a little more menacing.

The paint palette is also a little mundane – two greys, two blacks, a white and a red, when some owners would love a wilder shade of yellow.

The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun