2009 Mazda 6 Expands UK Range Car Review and Specs | 2009 Mazda 6 Expands UK Range Car Wallpaper Pictures Pics

In the UK, Mazda is taking the opportunity presented by the arrival of its all-new MZR-CD 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine, with a choice of three different power outputs, to introduce some specification upgrades and an additional diesel hatchback model to its new Mazda6 range. The expanded 26‑strong line-up for 2009 goes on sale in January.

A significant safety boost is being provided for Mazda6 drivers with the introduction of Mazda’s lane‑change ‘Rear Vehicle Monitoring System’ – as standard on 15 models, from TS2 upwards. The new fully automatic active safety feature detects and warns the driver of an approaching vehicle before he/she has a chance to move across into a busy lane by mistake.

The system uses wide‑angle, 24 GHz microwave radar units on the right and left side of the rear bumper to cover both sides of the car within a range of 50 metres. At speeds over 40mph, microwaves are emitted which reflect off following vehicles, including motorcycles, and are picked up by the system’s receivers.

Depending on the approaching vehicle’s distance and speed relative to the speed of the Mazda6, the RVM system will illuminate the ‘proximity indicator light’ at the base of each A-pillar’s interior trim to alert the driver. If the driver switches on the turn signal in the direction of the approaching vehicle, the proximity light blinks and a beeper sounds to warn the driver not to change lanes.

The system is effective even in bad weather conditions and features the additional benefit of detecting vehicles driving in the ‘blind spot’ area. It does not monitor or detect cars following behind in the same lane as the Mazda. Mazda is one of the world’s first manufacturers to offer this feature as standard.

“While offering Mazda6 diesel buyers a new three-way choice of power and performance, plus even more refinement that will certainly boost this model’s appeal to both user-choosers and retail customers, the availability of our new lane-change radar system, as standard on many versions, will also make Mazda6 even more attractive to fleet managers concerned to fulfil their duty of care,” enthuses Mark Cameron, Mazda UK Sales Director.

“In its previous 140ps form, our diesel Mazda6 out-performed many potential rivals, particularly their entry and mid-level derivatives, and its reduced CO2 emissions delivered real financial benefits to company car drivers,” added Cameron. “Now we have taken another big step forwards with the 2.2‑litre diesel.

“Our mid-power 163ps diesel, with 16 percent more power, offers an amazing performance‑per-pound package, significantly out-pacing rivals. All three diesel engines are emissions clean with modest CO2 ratings, excellent fuel efficiency and genuine refinement. We have expanded our Mazda6 diesel range to 11 models with the choice of both low power and mid power TS hatchback models.

“With this revised new Mazda6 line-up we anticipate growing our share of the large family/business car segment sales next year. Compared to last year, the second generation Mazda6 is already taking an increased share of the segment, standing at six percent by the end of September. In addition, Mazda6 retail market share has grown from 7.6 percent in 2007 to 9.2 percent year to date, (January‑October 2008).

“Despite the new model improvements we have maintained the price premium for the estate at just £700 over the hatchback, and as we predicted, the estate’s popularity has increased so that it now accounts for 20% of sales. We also expect diesel powertrains to be specified by 90% of fleet buyers,” concluded Cameron.

Refined, Responsive, Fuel-efficient, all-new Diesel
The second-generation Mazda6 was introduced originally with four different engines – three lively petrol engines and a single turbo diesel producing 140ps. Mazda now introduces the all-new clean MZR-CD 2.2-litre turbo diesel in three power derivatives. It is one of the quietest and most powerful engines in its class, with a lively yet cultivated character that will offer a truly exclusive driving experience to buyers of the second-generation Mazda6.

Offered in three versions producing 185ps, 163ps and 125ps of maximum power output and 400, 360 and 310Nm of torque respectively the 2.2 will meet the demands of a wide spectrum of customers in the UK.

To deliver such highly competitive power and torque from just 2.2-litres, the new engine employs a highly efficient variable-geometry turbo charger (VGT) with curved (instead of straight) vanes on the turbine (exhaust) side.

This increases maximum available torque at both low and high engine speeds, while also increasing all-important low-end response (from as low as 1,800rpm with a flat maximum torque curve that continues until 3,000rpm) that contributes to the smooth and powerful driving feel.

Mazda engineers increased the fuel injection pressure by 11% to 200MPa (the previous generation 2.0-litre turbo diesel uses 180 MPa). They made functional improvements to the high-pressure pump and used new injectors featuring 10 spray holes per injector (instead of the six) that are smaller. These changes enable more precise injection timing and an increase in both the frequency and quantity of the injections. Overall, the new MZR-CD 2.2-litre offers substantially higher power and torque than the previous‑generation 2.0-litre diesel, while delivering equal levels of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

The engine’s highly responsive fuel-injection technologies are combined with an exhaust-gas recirculation (EGR) system with a cooler bypass structure – that decreases unburned gases and NOx – to realise superior emissions performance without sacrificing power. Emissions are then treated by a diesel particulate filter (DPF), that uses a unique Mazda-developed, ceramic support matrix structure, which is the first of its kind to go into production in the world.

Quieter, Smoother, Quicker and only 6.0kg heavier
The new Mazda6 MZR-CD 2.2-litre diesel is one of the quietest engines in its segment. This ensures a driving experience that is one of the segment’s most exclusive. To achieve this quiet operation, the new engine has a very rigid aluminium-alloy block structure and this high structural rigidity is combined with a front chain-driven cassette-type counter-rotating balancer shaft to suppress booming noise and lower radiated noise, and to deliver optimised throttle pedal response and engine sound for a refined acceleration feel.

Keeping the new MZR-CD 2.2-litre diesel engine as close as possible in size and weight to the 2.0-litre was a key factor in ensuring exhilarating performance combined with good fuel efficiency and low emissions. Although the new balancer shaft and DOHC result in increased size and weight, numerous innovations to manage size and weight gain kept the increase to just 6.0kg. If the 2.2 did not have a balancer shaft, the cylinder block would have had to be 1.9kg heavier and its crankshaft 1.3kg heavier. Furthermore, the oil cooler is made of aluminium (saving 0.6 kg) and the camshaft cover is plastic (saving 1.0 kg).

On the combined cycle, the new Mazda6 diesel returns between 51.4mpg and 49.6mpg, with CO2 figures of just 147g/km to 152g/km (depending on model). All saloon and hatchback models with CO2 emissions of 147g/km and 149g/km place these cars in a highly competitive band C for vehicle excise duty whilst maintaining the same company car tax bands as the previous 2.0-litre diesel variants.

The three new diesel powertrains for new Mazda6 retain, or hugely improve, the Zoom‑Zoom, fun‑to‑drive, attributes of this popular Mazda. Acceleration to 62mph with the 2.2-litre low power 125ps diesel takes just 0.2 seconds longer than the previous 2.0-litre 140ps diesel (10.9 compared to 10.7 seconds for the hatchback), while the mid power 163ps achieves 62mph in 9.2 seconds and the high power 185ps reaches that speed in just 8.5 seconds. Every Mazda6 diesel comes with a six-speed manual transmission – fitted with a high top ratio (0.711:1) for quiet, relaxed and fuel-efficient cruising.

Five, Highly Specified Equipment Levels
Apart from the trio of new diesel versions, the lane-change radar monitor and the fitting of Smart Keyless Entry (with push button engine Start/Stop) on all Sport and Sport Luxury models – not just petrol models as previously – as standard, the multi-talented new Mazda6 continues to offer UK motorists a comprehensive and highly competitive range of cars. With new second-generation Mazda6, Mazda retained and built upon the original model’s sportiness and design flair. The creation of bodyshells which were significantly stiffer, as well as lighter, meant that all models delivered even more responsive handling.

Although Mazda is keeping the Mazda6 range as simple as possible for 2009, buyers will continue to be offered a comprehensive choice of powertrains and specifications, with every derivative highly specified in its price band. As well as the established Mazda equipment levels – S, TS, TS2 and Sport – new Mazda6 introduced a fifth level, called ‘SL’ (Sport Luxury). The Sport grade featured a much bolder visual differentiation from all other versions, with the ‘Sports Appearance Pack’ fitted as standard on this model, while 18-inch wheels were introduced for the first time on a Mazda6.

The range-topping Sports Luxury level brings customers premium equipment such as full leather seats, heated front seats, a 240W BOSE surround sound premium audio system with eight speakers, 18-inch alloy wheels, Bi-Xenon headlamps and front and rear parking sensors.

In-depth Advanced Technology
The three new Mazda6 low-drag body shapes, which produce best-in-class Cd figures of just 0.27 (hatchback) and 0.28 (estate), are the result of more than 300 hours of wind-tunnel testing and play an important part in achieving the new Mazda6’s remarkable refinement.

As well as its smooth aerodynamics, one of the strongest influences on new Mazda6’s greatly reduced CO2 emissions levels is the strict weight control exercised by Mazda structural engineers. Although the new model is bigger and better equipped (and had the potential to weigh up to 90kg more than the previous model), optimised bodyshell and component designs, plus the use of high and ultra-high tensile steels, resulted in overall weight reductions of up to 50kg.

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