Automotive

Refreshed Mazda 6 gets G-Vectoring Control for sharper handling

Refreshed Mazda 6 gets G-Vectoring Control for sharper handling
Mazda hasn't messed with the outside, but there are some changes under the skin of the new 6
Mazda hasn't messed with the outside, but there are some changes under the skin of the new 6
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It should be refined and smooth in here thanks to Mazda's refreshments
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It should be refined and smooth in here thanks to Mazda's refreshments 
Top-spec cars now come with a heated wheel and a color HUD
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Top-spec cars now come with a heated wheel and a color HUD
You can have your Mazda 6 with a manual gearbox
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You can have your Mazda 6 with a manual gearbox
The engines on offer from Mazda make the same power as before
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The engines on offer from Mazda make the same power as before 
White leather mightn't be great for kids with sticky fingers, but it does look fantastic
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White leather mightn't be great for kids with sticky fingers, but it does look fantastic
Mazda auto-emergency braking now recognizes pedestrians
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Mazda auto-emergency braking now recognizes pedestrians 
The new 6 looks largely unchanged from the outside
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The new 6 looks largely unchanged from the outside
More sound deadening should make for a more refined ride inside
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More sound deadening should make for a more refined ride inside 
Mazda has fitted its clever G-Vectoring Control tech to the new 6
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Mazda has fitted its clever G-Vectoring Control tech to the new 6
The wagon is a handsome way to carry a big load
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The wagon is a handsome way to carry a big load
As a family midsizer, the new 6 is all about practicality
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As a family midsizer, the new 6 is all about practicality
The Mazda 6's diesel engines should be smoother and more responsive than before
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The Mazda 6's diesel engines should be smoother and more responsive than before 
Mazda is offering a new gray color on the 6
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Mazda is offering a new gray color on the 6
There's more sound deadening in the back of the Mazda 6
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There's more sound deadening in the back of the Mazda 6
Mazda hasn't messed with the outside, but there are some changes under the skin of the new 6
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Mazda hasn't messed with the outside, but there are some changes under the skin of the new 6
To our eyes, the new 6 is a handsome beast
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To our eyes, the new 6 is a handsome beast
Mazda previewed these changes on the 3, now they're on the 6
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Mazda previewed these changes on the 3, now they're on the 6
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In a sea of beige midsize competitors, the Mazda 6 stands out with its sharp design and keen handling. Although the formula really didn't need tweaking, Mazda engineers haven't rested on their laurels. Instead, the facelifted midsizer from Hiroshima comes loaded with clever new chassis technology to keep drivers and passengers alike happy.

Just like the new Mazda 3, the 6 is now fitted with G-Vectoring Control. The system gently reduces torque to the driven wheels when it detects a steering input, putting more weight over the front wheels in the process. Mazda says this makes for better grip on corner entry and fewer steering corrections, which is more fun for the driver and smoother for the passengers. The system then feeds torque back to the wheels, shifting weight to the rear for greater stability.

As is currently the case, there will be four engines available on the refreshed Mazda 6. Gasoline power is provided by a 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G engine, available in 143 hp (106 kW) or 163 hp (122 kW) tune. On the other side of the gas station, diesel power comes from two versions of a 2.2-liter Skyactiv-D motors, making 148 hp (110 kW) or 173 hp (129 kW).

Top-spec cars now come with a heated wheel and a color HUD
Top-spec cars now come with a heated wheel and a color HUD

They're no more powerful than before, but the updated diesel engines have still been given a working over. For a long time, Mazda has been criticized for its poor in-cabin noise, vibration and harshness. That means some serious effort has been put into making the diesels feel smoother and more responsive.

Both diesels are fitted with a new transient control system designed to improve throttle response, and a natural sound smoother uses a dynamic damper in the piston pin to suppress three common frequencies at which engine components usually make the most noise. On top of the engine modifications, refinement should be improved by upgraded door seals, tighter panel gaps, thicker front glass and extra sound deadening spread around the cabin and underbody.

On the equipment front, range-topping models now come with a heated steering wheel and an improved heads-up display. This new HUD features Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) and automatically adjusts based on the position of the electric memory seat. Also fresh is an updated version of Mazda's auto-emergency braking system, which is now able to detect pedestrians. Working with auto-emergency braking is a new blind-spot warning system, and rear cross-traffic alerts.

Pricing for the updated Mazda 6 will kick off at £19,795 in the UK and $21,945 in the US. The car will be in dealerships before the end of the year.

Source: Mazda

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