SYDNEY: Mazda has worked hard on NVH noise, vibration and harshness for the new model. The window seals have been revised, so too the body insulation and suspension mounts and there is new floor matting below.
Mazda claims cabin-noise reduction of up to 25 percent in its new Mazda 6 Atenza Diesel and, while the figure is hard to confirm, we can report that this is much quieter and more refined drive than previous 6s.
The next generation Mazda 6 Atenza Diesel is priced to be $49,620 while it is featured with 2.2 litre turbo-diesel, six-speed automatic engine.
The current-generation 6 – launched in 2012 – is one of the smartest and most stylish of the medium segment sedans. It sits at the top step of the dais for mid-sized import sales and is only outsold in the segment by Toyota’s Australian-built Camry.
THE INTERIOR
Quality: The 2015 Mazda6’s cabin has a distinctly classy feel; to look across its premium trims and surfaces you would swear you were sitting in a high-priced European car.
The instrument cluster is greatly improved with easy-to-read white-on-black dials under chrome-ringed hoods.
The seven-inch colour screen sits atop the dash and is perfectly positioned for quick glances or finger touches as required.
Two-leather trim colours are on offer for the Atenza: black or white. With the black, you get a chocolate-coloured stitched-leather panel across the dash and on the door trims.
Comfort: Mazda says it put a lot of work into redesigning the seats to reduce driver-and-passenger fatigue for long-distance cruising.
We have no complaints: the seats are nicely shaped and with the right under-thigh support. The supple leather adds to the sense of comfort as well as imparting an upmarket feel to the interior generally.
Equipment: The Atenza comes with quite an inventory that includes tilt-and-slide sunroof, dual-zone climate-control air-con, adaptive LED headlights, head up display, cruise control, a new electric parking brake, radar cruise control, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, heated front seats and a trip computer.
ON THE ROAD
Driveability: There are some cars that when you slide in behind the wheel you feel immediately at home. The Mazda6 Atenza is one such.
There is eight-way power adjustment and lumbar support for the driver’s seat. And, with height-and-reach adjustment for the multi-function leather-wrapped steering wheel, the perfect driving position takes just seconds to dial in.
There is also electric power assistance for the steering that adjusts its sensitivity to match the driving conditions.
The Atenza’s six-speed automatic transmission is one of the finest, and it‘s a strong 2.2 litre diesel under this bonnet; the 6 can really move along when asked the question.
It feels quick off the mark but the diesel is especially strong when overtaking (that 420Nm of torque also makes it effortless in the hills).
And there are steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles to bring out the sports-driver in you, adding to the fun.
Refinement: Mazda has worked hard on NVH – noise, vibration and harshness – for the new model. The window seals have been revised, so too the body insulation and suspension mounts and there is new floor matting below.
Mazda claims cabin-noise reduction of up to 25 percent, and, while the figure is hard to confirm, we can report that this is much quieter and more refined drive than previous 6s.
Safety features: Also impressive is the car’s suite of standard safety features, including adaptive LED headlights, front, side and curtain airbags, ABS brakes, electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, dynamic stability control, lane-keep assist and lane-departure warning, driver-attention monitoring and blind-spot monitoring.
Also on the safety-kit list is an emergency-stop signal, hill-launch assist, forward-obstruction warning, front-and-rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, smart brake support, rear cross-traffic alert and forward-and-reverse smart city brake support.
