Auto Trader

The flurry of new and revised models is giving Mazda’s model range a real cohesiveness, tying in with its lofty ambitions to compete for BMW and Audi customers.

The original Mazda 6 kick-started the carmaker’s highly effective zoom-zoom campaign in the UK.

The second-generation all-new model has improved looks, superb handling and boasts a greater range – albeit with a bigger price tag.

Web Editor Adrian Higgins tested the all-new Mazda 6 at its European launch in France.

Mazda has enjoyed huge success in the UK on the back of a fleet of quality, reliable cars including modern two-seater classic the MX-5, the stunning RX-8 and the warmly-received Mazda 2 Supermini.

The head-turning zoom-zoom campaign certainly played its part and it’s now five years since the model which started it all was launched.

The Mazda 6 tempted thousands of buyers away from the established saloons with nearly 500,000 finding homes in Europe, many as company cars.

Now Mazda has unveiled the all new-model and the improvements are immediately obvious.

Company spokespeople revealed Mazda has tried to bring out the car’s “Japanese-ness” through traditional design cues to build some of the cachet which Alfa has with its “Italian-ness”

And it’s unlikely to be a coincidence publicity shots for the new car gave a great deal of exposure to white models – a colour strongly associated with cars from the Far East.

The exterior is one of the new car’s strongest suits. It looks great, and the marketing gurus have got it right – the white model looks superb.

The car boasts pumped-up wheel arches, as seen on the new Mazda 2 and the RX-8, while chrome trims frame the side windows in the style of Mazda’s first SUV, the CX-7.

The flurry of new and revised models is giving Mazda’s model range a real cohesiveness, tying in with its lofty ambitions to compete for BMW and Audi customers.

Chuck in cool-looking headlights and rear-light clusters and you have a car which frequently draws the comment “looks a bit Lexus-y”, which can’t be bad.

There are five trim levels: Mazda 6 S, Mazda 6 TS, Mazda 6 TS2, Mazda 6 Sport and the newly-added Mazda 6 SL.

The entry model comes with a chrome exhaust pipe, tinted windscreen and windows, body-coloured bumpers, door handles and side mouldings and 16-inch alloy wheels.

The Mazda 6 Sport model we drove gains 18-inch alloys and a Sports Appearance Pack which contributes sports bumpers, skirts, spoiler and tinted privacy glass.

Step inside the Mazda 6 and the displays (with white-needled, red-numbered, blue-surround dials) light up in sequence to welcome the driver.

The central console sweeps back from the touch-screen sat-nav (where available) via vents, air-conditioning, gear stick and arm rest, with bottle holders set in the doors.

The central console also houses a display of steering wheel-adjustable functions including air-con, audio, clock and sat-nav under the name CF-Net system (cross-functional network system). Given the complexity of the tasks which can be performed it is relatively easy to use and Mazda boasts any driver can pick it up within a day’s motoring.

The build quality is good with external noise all but blotted-out, even on an extremely windy day of coastal driving. The cabin is nice and roomy and the light roof-lining helps emphasise the sense of space.

Mazda has produced a lighter, more air-dynamic car and getting behind the wheel reveals sensational handling (something which Mazda buyers have now come to expect).

The steering is nimble without being fidgety and does not compromise the ride which is firm but not uncomfortable.

Buyers will be able to choose between 25 different versions of the new Mazda 6 split across three body styles: the four-door saloon we drove and the likely more popular five-door hatchback and estate versions. There is also a choice of three petrol engines and a single diesel for the car which starts at £15,100 and goes up to £22,040 for the bells and whistles version.

Our 2.5-litre petrol model was very capable with plenty of power (170bhp) available through the six speed manual gearbox to cope with low and high speeds.

True to Mazda’s sporty image there was plenty of fun to be had on demanding, windy roads but it was more than capable of transporting its occupants smoothly on the motorway too.

Mazda says it will return an average 34.9mpg but the diesel’s 50.4mpg should prove a bigger attraction to many drivers.

As far as safety goes, the cars are tooled up to the hilt with entry-level models coming with dynamic stability control, traction control system, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, emergency brake assist and six airbags.

Mazda has built on the original Mazda 6’s strengths of safety and reliability, worked on the quality and produced a car which offers a very high level of specification right across the range with exterior design and handling its two stand-out features.

The idea of Mazda snatching substantial numbers of customers from BMW and Audi would have seemed far-fetched in the pre zoom-zoom years.

But the all-new Mazda 6, and Mazda’s ever expanding range of quality cars, are a serious proposition.