An updated Mazda6 will debut on November 29 at the Los Angeles auto show. Along with new safety technologies, the flagship car receives a new engine lineup.
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The Mazda6 will continue to feature a 2.5-liter DOHC gas engine that until now has been the only engine choice here in the U.S. This unit, which has been rated 184 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque, will now feature cylinder deactivation for better fuel economy. The model will also offer a 2.5-liter turbo engine that debuted in the Mazda CX-9. Mazda hasn't announced specifications for the updated 6, but the engine in the CX-9 makes 227 hp (250 on premium fuel) and 310 lb-ft of torque.
In terms of safety, the Mazda6 gains an adaptive cruise control system that can bring the car to a stop in traffic and start up again when the car in front moves. The midsize sedan also gets Mazda's latest 360-degree View Monitor.
Inside the cabin, look for improved materials. The model will offer Japanese Sen Wood, a trim often used in Japanese instruments and furniture. "Overall the design is more distinctive, premium, beautiful and dignified, as befits the flagship of Mazda's passenger car lineup," Mazda said in a statement.
The exterior design also gets an update, judging from the teaser image. The most obvious changes include a revised grille and new headlights.
Mazda has updated the 6 frequently in the last few years. In fact, the model just underwent a round of changes midway into the 2017 model year, adding new standard features such as blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert for the base model. Earlier for the 2017 model year, the Mazda6 received G-Vectoring Control and other features, after just having been refreshed for the 2016 model year. The current-generation Mazda6 debuted for the 2014 model year.
Source: Mazda
When I tell people I write about cars, the most common reply I receive is “Really?” I guess I never strike people as a car type as I drive down the freeway in the right lane going 60 mph in my old SUV. My gripes about driving in city traffic and fast drivers don’t help my case, either. For a time, the only cars I liked were old cars. Not old as in "classic" or "vintage," but as in well-worn. My first appreciation of cars came when I drove a very old Ford pickup. It wasn't perfect: I used a booster seat to reach the gas pedal, and the turn signal once fell off in my hand as I was learning to drive. But the thing I valued most was the memories. It took several years for me to truly become a "car person." Being a long-time writer and an avid reader has helped me develop a healthy curiosity and a desire to know how things work. This has made cars one of the most fascinating points of study for me because they are such intricate machines. I am interested in how cars can reach 200 mph, how they can run on hydrogen, and how they can drive and park on their own. I also enjoy learning how cars can solve problems whether it be in the form of reducing pollution, minimizing traffic, or helping people stay connected on the road. Yes, maybe I’m not a gearhead. Perhaps I’m a car nerd. Either way, I very much enjoy writing about cars and helping people stay in tune with the automotive industry. I wouldn't want to be writing about anything else. And don’t get me wrong: I know how to drool over a hot car. I am fascinated by the Tesla Model S, awed by the Lamborghini Veneno, and am hopelessly obsessed with the Audi R8.
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