BUSINESS TRAVEL


intelligence


A bold, brave move from Mazda


PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE


REVIEW:MAZDA6 SALOON BY SUE COOKE


Many car manufacturers are producing hybrid and pure electric powered cars and some have plans to eventually stop making cars with combustion engines. Mazda is taking a very brave step forward, driving ahead with research to make internal combustion engines more efficient and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. In partnership with Saudi Aramco, the state-owned


oil company of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Mazda’s aim is to develop a low carbon fuel. Mazda’s latest saloon and tourer feature the cylinder


deactivation SKYACTIV-G 2.5-litre petrol engine. For potential buyers, this means an improvement in fuel economy at no cost to performance. For techie readers, this direct-injection four-cylinder engine seamlessly switches between four and two-cylinder operation. But there are plenty of other reasons to buy the new Mazda6. Exterior visual enhancements include a new front style grille, revised LED headlamps and integrated signature wing tips, giving a sleeker profile. The paintwork of my road test car was in Soul Red Crystal Metallic, a unique three-layer TAKUMINURI painting technology. The paint increases brightness by approximately 20% and depth by 50%, compared to the previous paint used, which is eye-catching. At the rear, the boot lid has been remodelled and there are new alloy wheel designs. But it is the interior which took my breath away. Ok,


I did drive the more expensive Sport Nav+ trim, but it is absolute luxury inside, with very comfortable and supportive white leather seating. There are many


useful storage spaces and a huge boot capacity so no excuse for a cluttered cabin. This new Mazda has enhanced technology like the windscreen projected head up display. Without taking your eyes from your line of travel, you can read the speed that your car is doing and a sign shows the speed of the road. It’s such a useful feature for drivers like me who travel around the UK, clocking up huge numbers of miles and driving on unfamiliar roads. I also like the message alert. An audible sound,


which made me jump, drew my attention to a message that said ‘time for a break’! With an increase in standard active safety equipment across the range, all models now feature advanced i-ACTIVESENSE technology. Blind Spot Monitoring with rear cross traffic alert proved so useful when pulling out of a space between two large trucks I couldn’t see what might be coming up the road, but the car could! The new Mazda6 also has Radar Cruise Control,


Lane Keep Assist and Advanced Smart City Brake Support. The 360-degree surround view helped me to park in unfamiliar places. What I didn’t particularly like was the six-speed


manual gearbox. I found gear change is very notchy but there is a SKYACTIV-DRIVE six-speed automatic gearbox. There are actually 25 models to choose from, priced between £23,195 to £33,585. Mazda is to be applauded for staying with the combustion engine, when many manufacturers are pulling away. If the new Mazda6 is an example of future powertrains, premium design and innovative technology, then the Japanese company will be the company to watch.


MODEL: Mazda6 Sport Nav+ saloon


PRICE: £25,995 otr ENGINE:2 litre 165ps


PERFORMANCE: 0-62mph in 9.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 134 mph


CO2 EMISSIONS: 146g/km


COMBINED FUEL CONSUMPTION: 44.1mpg


You can follow Sue Cooke on twitter @cookecars


NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018 insight 33


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