Automotive News Feb. 4, 2002

Mazda to offer three 6s

Flagship flies as sedan, wagon and hatchback

Mazda will launch a 3-pronged attack on the mid-sized sedan segment next year, even though it will replace the aging 626 and upscale Millenia entry with a single entry, the 6.

Mazda dealers said last week that the 6 will come in sedan, hatchback, and wagon versions, where the 626 is a sedan only, and that the Millenia will be dropped. The hatchback and wagon versions had previously been destined for Europe and Japan only. “We start with the sedan, to be followed by the five-door and then the hatch,” said Bill Cook. Cook is on Mazda’s National Dealer Advisory Council. The 6, which goes on sale this fall, will take on the Camry, Accord and Altima in the highly-competitive mid-sized segment. Those competitors do not have hatchbacks or wagons.

Mazda has said that the 6 will be priced at the level of the 626, which starts at 19,215 including 480 for delivery. It will be Mazda’s flagship vehicle, the company said.

No details have been given regarding volume and availability. The sedan will come with a 3.2 liter 4 cylinder standard and an optional 3.0 V-6.

Meanwhile, dealers attending the National Automobile Dealers Association convention in New Orleans last week said the company is planning a roadster to join the Miata. Mazda has not given details on the roadster, but has said it would look for more uses for the new RX-8 platform. The RX-8. a rear drive sports coupe with a 250hp rotary engine, will be on sale next year.

Aside from new products, Mazda management told dealers the company is seeking ways to add prodution volume. Mazda dealers need more vehicles to sell, as sales of the Tribute SUV and Protégé/Protege5 sedans increased significantly last year. Dealers were told that Mazda Motor Corp. President Mark Fields and Mazda North American chief Charlie Hughes are attempting to make a case to parent Ford Motor Co. to allocate more resources to Mazda production.

Cook said Fields and Hughes have made it clear that increased production for Mazda is a priority.

 

What caught my eye in here is the hint that Mazda will offer a new roadster based on the RX-8 chassis. Now we're talking!

 

Thanks for moving the thread Ryan. A Rotary Roadster sounds kinda cool, huh?

 

hmmm, a 3.2 litre 4? haha, awesome that beats Porsche's 3.0 litre 4

 

2.3L

 

No more Miller cycle then, I take it...



Once again, corporate greed sidesteps technology...

Ren

 

I think an LWB 6 with the V6 and maybe a rotary option, with statelier styling should be the new Mazda "9" or "8" replacing the Millenia.

New roadster on RX-8 chassis? MX-5?

The first Mercedes cars (no Benz back then) had an optional 5L 4-banger, and the Stutz Bearcat had a 362-cube 4-banger (around 6.0L).

 

That's true...Miller Cycle will be missed

 

Seems they would want to keep their technological edge, especially since the Miller has the potential to be a LEV powerplant.

Then again, maybe I'm just biased. I used to own a 98 Millenia S, and I thought it to be the best sedan available for under $30k. It's a shame to see it on the chopping block, especially since it fares well against the competition in its segment.

Had Mazda gone ahead with its Avati line, as Toyota and Nissan did with Lexus and Infiniti, it would probably have sold a lot better. And who knows, we might just have seen the Cosmo here as part of that line. Ah well, we can dream...

Ren

 

I also am sorry to see the Millenia go. On the other hand I'm not sorry to see the pile of junk 626 go. My wifes 2000 626 is the biggest pile of crap I have ever owned. I only hope the 6 consist of mostly Mazda parts and not junky Ford componets.

 

still trying to figure out how that miller cycle thing works...

 

I would be willing to drive my 95' 626 accross the dessert with no spare tire, no tools, and no water or food. It's that damn reliable.

 

I had a 2000 626 4 cyl as well.. I think it was pretty bulletproof.. maybe you got a lemon....

I have been working the Houston Auto Show the 3rd stop for the Mazda 6 nationwide and I think it is awesome... heaven forbid they dropped a rotary in the liftback, I would be all over that ...

anyhow.. I will have some pics of it later this weekend..

Psst.. Mazda reps say the wagon is going to be AWD.. 75% chance.

 

how Miller cycle engines work
http://www.howstuffworks.com/question132.htm

pretty neato, wonder if Ford had anything to do with that??

 

Anyone Know how much the Rx-8 is going to sell for?

 

Mazda estimates show $26,000-$30,000 MSRP with only a couple of options ... dealers are saying $32,000 ... Mazda corporate is saying below $30,000...

 

Hmmm, even at 32K, I tihnk I am going to buy one.. Are they taking pre-orders?

 

Contact your local Mazda dealer or goto www.mazdausa.com

some dealers are taking "deposits" but there is no offical program from Mazda that I know of.

 

I love the new 6.

 

More pics:

 

I found this pic on another site which claims its from a Japanese mag called "Best Car". It's claimed to be a picture of a prototype Mazda RX-7 due out in 2004.

I know it's a small crappy photo, but thought I'd show it anyway.

 

Don't beleive the hype : goto www.rotarynews.com to get your scoop.

Dan and the guys over there have Mazda NMO, inside scoops.

 

Bummer . . . they're making only a coupe (child seat ready) . . . what's next . . . an SUV?

An extreme disappointment. I think that I'll settle for an older rebuilt Twin Turbo.

 

Psst, they have a SUV, its called the Tribute, and there is a new one on the way before 2005. Larger than the 'ute.