OK, math wasn’t my best subject in school, but Mazda gets more than a passing grade with the new Mazda6 in four-cylinder trim. The new 2009 Mazda6 combines a contemporary new exterior with a solid driveline, good handling, spacious interior for five and nearly 30 mpg on the highway.
I was able to spend some serious seat time behind the wheel of a four-cylinder, six-speed manual i Touring model on recent trip to Detroit.
2009 Mazda6
The real story behind the i Touring model is the very smooth four-cylinder engine and silky six-speed. From their earliest days Mazda has always had a strong powertrain history. Yes, there were a few false starts with rotary engines, but Mazda got on track, literally, with a racing division that ruled various sports car classes in the 1990s. Mazda's reputation for providing durable powertrains -- both engines and transmissions -- continues with the MZR four-cylinder engine.
While Mazda does offer a powerful V-6, I wanted to test the high-mileage poster boy. The MZR four-cylinder is a 2.5-liter engine with 170 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. Its peak torque of 167 pound-feet at 4,000 rpm is a stand out in the four-cylinder mid-size class. Strangely, the EPA fuel economy estimates for the automatic transmission equals 21 city mpg and 30 hwy mpg, which is better than the manual at 20/29 mpg.
This new engine tops the old 156 horsepower four-cylinder in not only power but also smoothness. Advanced features include chain-driven dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, counter-rotating balance shafts located in the oil pan and aluminum block and head construction to save weight. The crankshaft is forged steel for durability and Mazda indicates that the forged powder-metal connecting rods minimize reciprocating weight. Variable intake valve timing yields a very smooth and quiet idle, lower emissions, and decent high-rpm power.
Fuel is delivered to the intake ports by an electronically controlled sequential injection system. Ignition coils are modular units positioned directly above the spark plugs. Additionally, Mazda uses light-weight pistons that are coated with a special anti-friction compound and fitted with low-tension rings to improve gas mileage.
There are several features designed especially for maximum power in the new 2009 MAZDA6 four-cylinder, which include a new cylinder head with improved intake and exhaust flow, a low-restriction exhaust manifold and a two-mode intake manifold with a center entry and an electronically controlled throttle body.
Minimizing noise and vibration comes courtesy of the damper at the forward end of the crankshaft, which is equipped two tuned masses. At the output end, a new flexible flywheel also diminishes noise, vibration and harshness. The deep-skirt engine block is designed for extra stiffness and main-bearing caps are integral with a lower-block ladder-type reinforcement.
I was impressed with the performance/operation of the six-speed manual. This is one of those gearboxes you use teach others to drive a manual transmission. The shifts are quick, with no slop, no balking and no fumbling to find a gear. The Mazda6’s gearbox is easily as good as the ones found in cars costing twice as much. Also, note that the stick is only available with the four-cylinder engine.
During long highway stretches, I was able to let this car run. Acceleration felt as strong as some recent small V-6 engine cars that I tested. The weight factor has something to do with this, as the Mazda checks in around 3,300 pounds. Not too light, but not too heavy either.
While I wasn’t able to adequately test the handling due to the weather conditions, I can report that I didn’t get stuck like a lot of other vehicles did. The 2009 Mazda6 is a front-wheel driver, so you’ll have to deal with some understeer, but it’s not too excessive. Overall, the car responded quickly to steering input and did not wander over the road. The car soaked up most of the road irregularities, and I noted that the ride was just a tad firm. OK by me.
Braking was another area that Mazda’s engineers nailed. The Mazda6 seemed to have just the right amount of grab without an over boosted or mushy pedal feel.
Inside the Mazda6 benefits from a 4.5-inch longer wheelbase with a wider front and rear track. This larger package not only facilitates increases in every significant class as defined by SAE and EPA volume measures, it moves the Mazda6 from the bottom to nearly the top of the mid-size category. Cargo space is also generous at 16.6 cubic-feet.
Don’t expect too much flash behind the wheel as stylists took a reserved no-nonsense approach to the interior design. Mazda indicates that the interior design, quality and execution had to be the highest they had ever achieved in any US production. It’s pretty good as surface textures, gloss levels, parting lines and decorative areas all received careful attention and look good. The leather/cloth seats are very comfortable and supportive on long trips. There is also a decent amount of rear legroom and headroom for passengers.
The test car came well-equipped with such standard features as tilt/telescoping steering wheel with radio controls, cloth/leather upholstery seats, front buckets w/driver-seat height adjustment, split folding rear seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, air conditioning, outside-temperature indicator, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, automatic-off headlights and floormats.
Mazda also gets a tip of the cap for the fluid styling. While the look is by no means a standout, it is fresh/contemporary and looks better than most of its ho-hum competitors … even in the less flashy “I” Touring model. Note that the Mazda6 only comes in sedan form as the wagon and hatch versions have been dropped.
With gas prices on the rise, fuel economy will soon move to the front burner, and the Mazda6 could be a player. Another important number is $23,100, as the 2009 Mazda6 i Touring model with minimal options (upgraded stereo) along with plenty of standard features is good vehicle to sip, zip and ship the family around.
VIDEO: Jill's bloopers
