LA MOTOR SHOW: Higher-tech Mazda6
Mazda massages its flagship with more style and techLess than two years after its Australian release in December 2012, Mazda has revealed a comprehensive upgrade for its largest passenger model.
Due on sale here in the first half of next year, the 2015 Mazda6 debuted at today's Los Angeles motor show with updates to its interior and exterior design, functionality, ride comfort, quietness, and safety.
Exterior changes are minimal and comprise only a more three-dimensional grille and illuminated signature wing design, plus Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH) in a Mazda first.
More minor external tweaks include darker high-gloss paint for the 19-inch alloys, a new compact shark fin antenna for the wagon and two new paint colors: Titanium Flash Mica from the Mazda3 and Sonic Silver Metallic.
Inside, there's a reshaped instrument panel and centre console, which are claimed to give the interior "a fresh new look", while Mazda says more attention has been paid to minimising gaps between parts to achieve a more unified and higher quality appearance, in keeping with its flagship sedan.
There's now also an electric parking brake, rear seat heating (both firsts for Mazda), powered rear sunshade (sedan only), new interior leather colour combinations, head-up display, free-standing 7.0-inch centre touch-screen and Mazda's latest MZD Connect in-car voice-controlled connectivity system.
Naturally, Mazda has taken the opportunity to fit the 6 with two new i-ACTIVSENSE safety features, including Lane-keep Assist System (LAS), which helps keep the car within its marked lane, and Driver Attention Alert (DAA), which detects driver fatigue and recommends a rest break.
In addition, existing features such as Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) and the Pre-collision Throttle Control (PTC) system have been upgraded to also detect vehicles behind the car. These join Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), while Smart Brake Support (SBS) continues to minimise frontal collisions at mid- to high-speed.
Finally, a number of running changes have been made to the Mazda6 body and suspension, with revised front and rear dampers and optimised front lower-arm bushings design to improve ride quality.
Mazda says extra sound insulation has reduced cabin noise by 10 per cent on rough roads and 25 per cent on the highway, while "evolved" front and rear seat structures are claimed to provide more comfort and support.
The biggest mechanical change is the availability of all-wheel drive in diesel models, but Australia's Mazda6 diesel should continue in front-drive form.
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