As you probably know by now (due to my continuous telling you so); Mazda6 was launched in Sweden a couple of weeks ago.
For this reason, the car now has passed through the test panels of most of our large motor papers.
Today I got to read the test in Auto Motor & Sport (the swedish edition). The article is a dual-test between Alfa Romeo 156 and Mazda6 2.3.
I have, in true and faithful Mazda-spirit, translated a part for you guys. Phew! (If you wish, I can translate the rest, but that won't be before tomorrow at the earliest.
/Steve
TWIN SOULS
Alfa 156 JTS agains Mazda6 2.3. Alfa's and Mazda's respective bragging could also fit on the competitor. Design and driving joy are the trademarks in both cases, and both truly live up to that.
The chock comes already in the first curve, where I almost drive into the ditch on the inside! When you turn the wheel in new Mazda6, things happen - and fast!
Probably there has never been anything with so rapid steering in this class, at least not since we drove Alfa 156. But now this is not the only reason why we have matched Mazda's new pride against the Alfa. Fact is that the two have more similarities than differences.
Already on the paper, the two are astonishing alike. Both have 166 hp, the Alfa a maximum torque on 206 Nm against the Mazda's 207. Both have four cylinder engines with balance shafts.
But what surprises most is how alike they are in appearance in certain angles. This hits me when I stand at the driver's door on the Mazda6 and let the eye sweep from the A-pillar and down over the front.
The shape is familiar and can be recognized from, that's right, Alfa 156.
The difference is that the Mazda grille is wider than the Alfa's but the difference is not bigger than that it could have been a question about two genereations of the same brand.
Probably the Mazda people have had an Alfa 156, among others, as their inspiration when they decided to turn old Mazda-concepts upside-down and make a sporty car instead of a usable working horse as the predecessor 626.
And they could have chosen a worse raw-model. Alfa 156 is the car that more or less saved Alfa Romeo thanks to a rare combination of driving joy and design. Over 500000 cars have been built.
But Mazda has thrown themselves into the task with enthusiasm. Priority one has been to make a car with a lot of driving joy and by the first impression from the rapid steering they have succeeded.
Mazda6 is a new design throughout the vehicle. And it seems they have spared no effort. Perhaps with the exception of the engines. There are three alternative powerplants. 1.8, 2.0 and 2.3 liters and the two smaller share their construction with Ford's equally-sized engines.
The 2.3 engine Mazda is so far keeping to themselves. What differs from the others is that, apart from the volume, the 2.3 has variable valve timing and a balance shaft to balance the larger engine's longer stroke (94 mm to compare with 83.1).
To match the Alfa's new two liter JTS-machine, you have to take the 2.3 engine and the Mazda engine impresses big from the first meter with its response and fine register. No matter at what rpm, the engine roars its longing for more. The problem is that it actually DO roar. R-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r the engine sighs and you recognize a typical Mazda engine. You almost believe that Mazda has chosen to accentuate the sound to give a sportier image to the car. If so, they are way out of line.
Alfa Romeo already had a fine machine in the 145 Twin Spark, but there is nothing so good it can't get better.
---
The conclusion: Mazda6 wins with 43 stars against 39 for Alfa 156...
For this reason, the car now has passed through the test panels of most of our large motor papers.
Today I got to read the test in Auto Motor & Sport (the swedish edition). The article is a dual-test between Alfa Romeo 156 and Mazda6 2.3.
I have, in true and faithful Mazda-spirit, translated a part for you guys. Phew! (If you wish, I can translate the rest, but that won't be before tomorrow at the earliest.
/Steve
TWIN SOULS
Alfa 156 JTS agains Mazda6 2.3. Alfa's and Mazda's respective bragging could also fit on the competitor. Design and driving joy are the trademarks in both cases, and both truly live up to that.
The chock comes already in the first curve, where I almost drive into the ditch on the inside! When you turn the wheel in new Mazda6, things happen - and fast!
Probably there has never been anything with so rapid steering in this class, at least not since we drove Alfa 156. But now this is not the only reason why we have matched Mazda's new pride against the Alfa. Fact is that the two have more similarities than differences.
Already on the paper, the two are astonishing alike. Both have 166 hp, the Alfa a maximum torque on 206 Nm against the Mazda's 207. Both have four cylinder engines with balance shafts.
But what surprises most is how alike they are in appearance in certain angles. This hits me when I stand at the driver's door on the Mazda6 and let the eye sweep from the A-pillar and down over the front.
The shape is familiar and can be recognized from, that's right, Alfa 156.
The difference is that the Mazda grille is wider than the Alfa's but the difference is not bigger than that it could have been a question about two genereations of the same brand.
Probably the Mazda people have had an Alfa 156, among others, as their inspiration when they decided to turn old Mazda-concepts upside-down and make a sporty car instead of a usable working horse as the predecessor 626.
And they could have chosen a worse raw-model. Alfa 156 is the car that more or less saved Alfa Romeo thanks to a rare combination of driving joy and design. Over 500000 cars have been built.
But Mazda has thrown themselves into the task with enthusiasm. Priority one has been to make a car with a lot of driving joy and by the first impression from the rapid steering they have succeeded.
Mazda6 is a new design throughout the vehicle. And it seems they have spared no effort. Perhaps with the exception of the engines. There are three alternative powerplants. 1.8, 2.0 and 2.3 liters and the two smaller share their construction with Ford's equally-sized engines.
The 2.3 engine Mazda is so far keeping to themselves. What differs from the others is that, apart from the volume, the 2.3 has variable valve timing and a balance shaft to balance the larger engine's longer stroke (94 mm to compare with 83.1).
To match the Alfa's new two liter JTS-machine, you have to take the 2.3 engine and the Mazda engine impresses big from the first meter with its response and fine register. No matter at what rpm, the engine roars its longing for more. The problem is that it actually DO roar. R-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r the engine sighs and you recognize a typical Mazda engine. You almost believe that Mazda has chosen to accentuate the sound to give a sportier image to the car. If so, they are way out of line.
Alfa Romeo already had a fine machine in the 145 Twin Spark, but there is nothing so good it can't get better.
---
The conclusion: Mazda6 wins with 43 stars against 39 for Alfa 156...
