By: Henrie Geyser

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Mazda6 Active click to enlarge

Local new car sales are already on the skids so the arrival of the Mazda6 must be a matter of some concern to Honda Accord, Toyota Avensis and VW Passat who are the other main contenders in the popular C-D segment of the market.

And all their concerns are fully justified, because the new Mazda6 strides onto the market bristling with superior specifications, seriously good looks and with price tags that are guaranteed to please the buyers and give the opposition sleepless nights.

The first generation Mazda6 was launched in South Africa six years ago and since then it has grown into a major image and sales driver for Mazda.

And just as the earlier Mazda6 models rode the crest of the brand's zoom-zoom marketing strategy, the all-new version is going to grab the limelight because it has all the class and breeding of a champion.

The latest Mazda6 comes to the market with a choice of two engine derivatives, two transmission options and four trim levels.

There are two 2.0-litre options - the Original at R219,990 and the Active at R239,990. The two 2.5 versions are the Dynamic Activematic priced at R271,990 and the Individual costing R278,990.

The 2.5-litre is new to the range and replaces the previous MZR 2.3-litre petrol engine. Not only does it produce more grunt at 125kW, but it also has 226Nm of torque and it gurgles almost seven percent less liquid gold per 100km/h.

The 2.0-litre, too, has been given extra muscle with power up to 109kW and torque boosted to 184Nm - and that while sipping 10.3% less fuel than the previous model.

Even the base model 2.0-litre Original brags with show-off features such as body colour bumpers, fog lamps, headlamp leveling, electric doors and mirrors, power steering, six airbags, six speed manual transmission as well as ABS, EBD and EBA.

The 2.0-litre Active has all of that, plus a six-speaker, six CD changer, power adjustable seats (with memory for the driver's seat), leather trim, cruise control, 17-inch alloy wheels, auto-sensing wipers, automatic aircon and a trip computer with speed alarm.

Continuing up the specifications ladder, the 2.5-litre Dynamic has all the tricks of the 2.0-litre models but comes with a super smooth five-speed Activematic transmission linked to paddle-shift on the steering wheel, keyless entry and smart start, a premium quality Bose sound system with eight speakers and Bi-Xenon headlamps with auto leveling.

The flagship 2.5-litre Individual is designed for enthusiast drivers who will be pulled by additional kit such as a six-speed manual shift, traction control, sporty body trim, 18-inch alloys, ventilated discs all round, racing styled aluminium pedals and a power sliding roof.

The two 2.5-litre derivatives have been given the battle armament to take on the three Teutonic titans, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz and in a market punched drunk by escalating interest rates, mad fuel prices, galloping inflation and sky-high new car prices, it has a lot more than an outsider's chance of winning the sales race.

Sadly, South African motorists (and wine consumers) are among the most snobbish in the world and they generally opt for snob and brag brands rather than value for money options, but given the depressing economic climate and the prime value the Mazda6 offers, anyone with ambitions of premium C-D brand ownership will be crazy not to take a Mazda6 for a spin.

I was among the first group of South African motoring journalists to drive the new Six cars on home territory and I was knocked out by what they have to offer.

Our playground was the delightful meandering Midlands in KwaZulu-Natal which has enough quiet, well-maintained roads to test the cling, comfort and muscle of the new machines - and the general consensus reached after high-level analyses over a few pints in the pub afterwards was that Mazda has another winner on its hands.

Both models impressed with sporty looks, luxury features, ride comfort, performance and roadholding.

I spent a fair amount of time at the wheel of the 2.0-litre Active and the 2.5-litre Individual and it was interesting to see how they measure up to their contenders.

I must be honest, if it was my money I would be quiet happy with the 2.0-litre. It might have less kick and go than the 2.5-litre, but it's a great car to drive and at the price it flashes good value in neon lights.

On a personal level I would have preferred it with a five-speed, closer ratio box and a little more enthusiasm under the hood. But then I did drive it after I drove the 2.5-litre and one also has to accept that some spirit has to be dampened for the sake of fuel economy.

But with its comfortable interior, big boot and long list of luxury and safety features it is a well-positioned family saloon.

When it comes to the two bigger-engined models one has to perhaps place more weight on the car's dynamics than its comfort features, with a nod of thanks to traction control and 18-inch alloys on the Individual.

But the more sedate regular commuter would probably opt for the less expensive Dynamic version with the auto shift in which to endure Jozi's constipated rush hour traffic.

However, with only R7,000 separating the two, finding the one to suit your particular needs should be a walk in the park.

Mazda has a good record for service quality and parts availability and if you add the benefits of 15,000km service intervals as well as a price-inclusive four-year/120,000km warranty and a five-year/90,000km service plan, the new Mazda6 makes a lot of whoopee and damn good rands and cents sense.

[14 Jul 2008 16:06]

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