In the United States, the Mazda 6 has been one of the sharpest-handling sedans for many years. So, you would expect a lot of the same with a new model due in 2023.
So, you’re right. It’s not true. One of the most dramatic about-faces seen in the automobile industry in a long time has been announced by the Hiroshima-based carmaker.
The next generation will compete against the BMW 4-Series and Mercedes Benz S-Class by switching from a front-wheel-drive platform to a rear-wheel-drive chassis.
The Mazda 6 will take design elements from its predecessor, but it will emphasize them by featuring proportions seen on the stunning long-nosed Mazda Vision Coupe concept that debuted at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show.
Mazda referred to the four-door ‘coupe’ as a next-generation design study car, with no mention of any production car, when it was initially unveiled.
This idea now appears to have aspirations to impact other Mazda 6 models and perhaps a future-generation vehicle. Look for the new 2023 Mazda 6 to have a lot in common with the Vision Coupe, which won an award.
The Mazda 6 large vehicle strategy will undergo a significant transformation, not only in the rear-drive department, as the popular Mazda 6 sedan moves upmarket.
Mazda will also offer a turbocharged straight-6 gasoline engine, a 4-cylinder plug-in hybrid, a turbodiesel, and the revolutionary Skyactiv-X spark-controlled compression ignition with a 48-volt hybrid system in the 6.
The 8-speed automatic gearbox and optional i-Activ all-wheel drive system will be paired to those drivetrains, which is good news.
Compared to the influence of its present partner Toyota, Mazda is a small-scale manufacturer. Mazda has lately strengthened its connections with Japan’s top automaker.
Projects include the Corolla Cross made by Mazda and Toyota Manufacturing in the United States and a new cost-cutting vehicle design alliance between Mazda, Toyota, and Denso unveiled last year.
We’re hearing that Lexus might use Mazda’s Skyactiv technology in certain of its future vehicles, despite the fact that it utilizes Toyota’s hybrid technology. Those who enjoy driving will appreciate the Mazda 6’s new rear-drive platform.
However, the fact that the new 6 will employ a technology known as Kinematic Posture Control, which was first utilized on the Mazda MX-5 Miata in Japan, will impress many Mazda enthusiasts looking to see the car’s handling improved even more.
KPC stands for a system that uses existing technology to apply brake pressure to the inside rear wheel while cornering, resulting in a torque vectoring effect that assists the vehicle in sharper and flatter corners.
I was able to try it out on a face-lifted MX-5 in Japan, and I can attest that it functions extremely effectively at stabilizing the automobile in the corners when you go in too much or the surface is wet.
The new rear-drive configuration, engine range, and enhanced handling of the 6 will entice consumers.
When it debuts in late 2022, the new 6 will undoubtedly create ripples owing to Mazda’s interior design and quality, which is one level above Honda and Nissan’s rivals and approaching BMW and Mercedes.
The new Mazda 6 hybrid will use a range-extending powertrain that is based on the Toyota Camry hybrid system.
It will have two electric motors, one for each rear wheel, and it will be able to drive the vehicle up to 50 miles without using gasoline. The car will also have a traditional engine available as an option if drivers need more power.
Read also: 2023 Mazda 6 Spy Shots
What’s new for the Mazda 6 Hybrid?
Mazda 6 Hybrid: Rear drive combination now standard
The rear-drive combination is now a standard feature on all new hybrids, making it even more efficient and powerful when you need it.
The extra power is especially useful when you need to pull away from a stop or go faster on the open road. You can also use it to improve braking performance, even in tight spots.
Blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert
The Mazda6 hybrid features blind spot monitoring with cross-traffic alerts to keep you safe while driving.
If another vehicle enters your Blind Spot Zone (BSZ), the sedan will gently warn you with an audible and visual warning before taking any corrective action-including braking if necessary.
This system keeps both drivers distracted sufficiently so that they are less likely to cause an accident. Lane departure warning with steering assist and automatic high-beam lighting.
The Mazda 6 Hybrid also offers lane departure warning with steering assist, which provides a gentle nudge if you start to veer out of your lane.
The system will then automatically adjust the sedan’s speed and course to keep you on the road heading in the right direction.
Automatic high-beam lighting keeps other drivers safe when driving at night or in low-light conditions while providing an added level of safety when traveling at speeds over 50 mph (80 km/h).
