Description and history of the car Mazda 6 (Atenza)

Mazda 6 — is a mid-size family car of the D-class, which is produced from 2002 to the present by the Japanese automaker Mazda Motor. In China and Japan it is called "Mazda Atenza". Replaced the previous model "Capella/626" produced since 1970. From the beginning of production until 2017 inclusive, about 800 thousand Mazda 6 cars were sold in North America.

The engine is located transversely in front, the torque is transmitted to the front wheels, there are also models with all-wheel drive. The body is produced as a sedan, hatchback or station wagon. The main competitors are the following cars from other manufacturers - Honda Accord, Citroёn C5, Ford Mondeo, Audi A4, Volkswagen Passat, Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata, Mitsubishi Galant, Nissan Teana, Peugeot 508, Renault Laguna, Skoda Superb, Toyota Camry, Subaru Legacy and Opel Insignia.

First generation (GG, 2002−2008)

In May 2002, the first generation of Mazda 6 with the code "GG" was launched, based on the "Mazda GG" platform. The body shapes and sizes were as follows - 4-door sedan (length: 4670 mm, width: 1781 mm, height: 1435 mm), 5-door hatchback (length: 4670 mm, width: 1781 mm, height: 1435 mm) and station wagon (length: 4700 mm, width: 1781 mm, height: 1480 mm). The interior had three trim levels, called differently in different countries. Torque is directed to the front wheels in most countries, with all-wheel drive models available in Japan, Europe and Australia. The cars were assembled in Japan, the United States and China.

The petrol engine range includes four models with the following characteristics: 1.8 litre "MZR" (1798 cm³, I4 DOHC, L8, 120 hp), 2.0 liters "MZR" (1999 cm³, I4 DOHC, LF, 147 hp), 2.3 liters "MZR" (2261 cm³, I4 DOHC, L3, 166 hp) and a six-cylinder 3.0-liter "MZI" engine (2967 cm³, DOHC V6, 222 hp)There was also one model of diesel engine with a capacity of 2.0 liters "MZR-CD" (119-134 hp). Automatic transmissions were 4-speed (4F27E), 5-speed (JF506E and FS5A-EL) and 6-speed (AWTF-80 SC). Manual transmissions were 5-speed (G35M-R and A65M-R) and 6-speed (G36M-R).

In 2006, the car was restyled.

The Mazda 6 was runner-up in the 2003 European Car of the Year award and was included in the magazine's Top 10 Cars list that year "Car and Driver". The wagon won the Best Wagon award at the Canadian Car of the Year, while the sports sedan also won the Best Family Car award for 2005. The wagon also won the Best Car award in 2004 from What Car? magazine. It also won the Irish Car of the Year award in 2003. The first generation Mazda6 also has many lesser-known awards.

Second generation (GH, 2007−2012)

In September 2007, the second generation of Mazda 6 with the code "GH" was presented to the public at the international salon in Frankfurt. The car is built on the "Mazda GH" platform, which Ford uses as its own with the name "CD3". Three body types are still produced - a 4-door sedan, a 5-door hatchback and a station wagon. The dimensions of the body in North America are - length 4920 mm, width 1839 mm, height 1471 mm; for the rest of the world, the length is 4735-4785 mm, the width is 1795 mm, the height is 1440-1490 mm. The drag coefficient of the sedan body is 0.27, the station wagon 0.28. Production was in Japan and China.

The petrol engine range includes three 4-cylinder in-line engines with the code "MZR" with a volume of 1.8 liters (1798 cm³, I4, 120 hp), 2.0 liters (1999 cm³, I4, 147 hp) and 2.5 liters (2488 cm³, I4, 170 hp), as well as one six-cylinder 3.7-liter "MZI" engine (3728 cm³, V6, 273 hp). One diesel engine with a volume of 2.2 liters "MZR-CD" with a capacity of 125, 163 and 185 hp. Two models of automatic transmissions - 5-speed (FS5A-EL) and 6-speed (AWTF-80 SC). There are also two models of manual transmissions: 5-speed and 6-speed (G36M-R).

The 2010 model won the "Family Car of the Year" award from "What Car?" magazine. In 2010, the car was restyled. The radiator grille, headlights and taillights were changed externally. Inside, the front seats and dashboard were changed. There were also minor improvements in the chassis design. The 2009 model was tested by the European committee Euro NCAP, the crash test results can be seen in the table at the very bottom of the article.

Mazda6 GH, hatchback

Mazda6 GH, wagon

Mazda6 GH, interior

Third generation (GJ, GL, 2012−present)

On August 29, 2012, the third generation sedan with the code "GJ" was shown at the Moscow International Automobile Salon, and in September of the same year, the station wagon was presented at the Paris Motor Show. Two body styles are available - a 4-door sedan (length: 4865 mm, width: 1840 mm, height: 1450 mm) and a 5-door station wagon (length: 4800 mm, width: 1840 mm, height: 1480 mm). The design of the Mazda 6 GJ1 was highly praised by auto experts and became a finalist in the 2013 World Design Award. The car was assembled in Japan (hofu and Hiroshima), China (changchun city) and Rossi (vladivostok city).

The car is equipped with two four-cylinder petrol engines "SkyActiv-G" 2.0 liters (1998 cm³) with 150 hp and 2.5 liters (2488 cm³) with 192 hp. You can also choose a diesel engine "SkyActiv-D" volume of 2.2 liters (2191 cm³) with a power of 150 and 175 hp. Two gearboxes were installed, both 6-speed - automatic from the family "SkyActiv-Drive" and mechanical from the family "SkyActiv-MT".

The 2013 model with a station wagon body was tested for safety by the European agency Euro NCAP, the crash test results can be seen in the table below. In May 2016, the model was restyled and assigned a new code "GL". In November 2017, at the Los Angeles International Auto Show, the updated Mazda 6 was presented as a 2018 model. The changes affected the exterior design, trim and interior design, as well as new electronic technologies such as "i-Activsense" (driver assistance), Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Mazda6 GL, sedan

Mazda6 GL, sedan, back view

Mazda6 GL, interior