SA Road Tests

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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. We drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under South African conditions. It also just happens that most of the vehicles we drive are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you can get at home.

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2009 Mazda6 2,5 Dynamic Activematic

pics by the author

Restyled, re-engineered, revived

With the notable exceptions of the Miata and RX7, Mazdas of ten or so years ago were pretty boring; nice enough to appeal to the practical side of one’s personality, but hardly likely to set the world on fire or light one in your soul.

The first generation Mazda6, or Atenza as it is known in its home market, set out to change all that. Restyled, re-engineered and altogether more driver-oriented, it captured 1,3 million sales worldwide, including 450 000 to picky Europeans.

The game was on and now the second generation Mazda6 has arrived to carry the flame even further.

Lightly facelifted, the car has grown 65 mm longer and 15 mm wider, is 5 mm taller and has extended its wheelbase by 50 mm.  Coefficient of drag has also been reduced from 0,30 to 0,27.

By using more high-strength steel in the chassis and by trimming unnecessary weight from many components, it achieves greater chassis rigidity, better crash protection and simultaneously loses 35 kg in kerb mass.

Torsional rigidity is increased by 14 percent. These factors translate to better handling, refinement, performance and fuel consumption. Oh, it’s quieter, too.

The chassis still rides on double-wishbone suspension up front with multi-links at the rear; possibly the best configuration available in street cars today.

The front suspension subframe now has 6 mounting points instead of 4 and softer bushings to reduce NVH transmission to the chassis.

Other sound deadening improvements contribute to a reduction of 2.5dB (or 45 percent) in road noise to the cabin, proving that clever engineering can reduce weight and NVH simultaneously.

The rear trailing links have their front pivots positioned higher to reduce tail lift under braking, while dampers are mounted more upright to improve responsiveness.

Capacity of the MZR power plant has grown to 2,5 litres from the previous 2,3, promising greater urge while using up to 6,9 percent less fuel. Again, no weight penalty was incurred.

The Dynamic Activematic version tested features a five-speed transmission with “Tiptronic” option, including two pairs of shifters on the steering wheel.

My only real complaint concerns the change pattern for the stick shift – I’m used to moving it forward to change up and back to change down. Mazda decided to reverse this, with the result that enthusiastic driving sometimes resulted in fluffed changes.

Evidently, despite being able to change gears manually when the mood grabs you, Mazda also decreed that Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and the Traction Control System (TCS) were not required for drivers of the automatic version.

These toys are available only on the top-of-the-line (manual) 2,5 Individual model. Driven intelligently, though, and within the bounds of common sense, this Mazda really doesn’t need this kit. One would have to press pretty hard on one’s “idiot” button to require it, in fact.

On the inside, where it counts, the cabin is roomy and nicely laid out. The black leather seats are firm yet comfortable, although more “family” oriented than “sporting”, with the civilian ration of side bolstering and with height adjustment on the driver’s chair.

The steering wheel is adjustable for height and reach and controls are neatly laid out. An eight-speaker Bose sound system with six-CD player looks after entertainment.

In the back, there is ample legroom for six-footers, although headroom is marginal as a result of the coupè- like styling. Male hairstyles should not be affected, but free space is limited. 

Right at the back, the 519-litre boot should swallow most families’ shopping or holiday luggage easily.

While there, I should mention that, provided the smart key is close by, there is no need to fumble with the remote to open the boot lid. A black button, just like those on the front doors, looks after unlocking.

On the road, steering is firm and precise with good feel and feedback from the electrically assisted system, and handling is reassuring at all times.

Cruising at 120 km/h in fifth, the rev counter registers about 2 600 rpm, with adequate power in reserve if needed.

While possibly not yet ready to light a fire in this scribe’s jaded soul, the second-generation Mazda6 is nonetheless a quietly competent midsize saloon with enough performance, comfort, space and handling ability to satisfy all but the harshest of critics.

The numbers:
Engine: 2 488 cc 4 cylinder, in line DOHC, 16 valve with VVT
Power: 126 kW at 6 000 rpm
Torque: 228 Nm at 4 000 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 9,2 seconds
Maximum speed: 221 km/h
Fuel index: 10,7 l/100 km
CO2 gm/km: 249
Tank: 64 litres
Price: R 271 990
Warranty: 4 years/120 000 km
Service plan: 5 years/90 000 km
Roadside assistance: 3 years
Service intervals: 15 000 km

What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that road test cars entrusted to me are driven only by me. Some reviewers hand test cars over to their partners to use as day-to-day transport and barely experience them for themselves.

What this means to you is that every car reviewed is given my own personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every car goes through real world testing; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.

I am based in Pietermaritzburg, KZN, South Africa. This is the hub of the KZN Midlands farming community; the place farmers go to in order to buy their supplies and equipment, truck their goods to market, send their kids to school and visit to kick back and relax. 

So occasionally a cow, a goat or a horse may add a little local colour by finding its way into the story or one of the pictures. It's all part of the ambience!

Comments?

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