[Rumored] 2008 Mazda 6

[The_Saint]

After a four-year run with the Mazda 6 on the market, Mazda is finally upgrading its midsize family sedan. Our latest spy photos show a development mule undergoing tests on the streets of Detroit. It's wearing current sheet metal, but we suspect it's riding on the chassis of the 2008 Mazda 6 sedan.

The prototype might not give away any styling details, but ......[more][/b]

[Duncan]

Edmund's isn't impressed with the power the 3.5 is going to make. However, that's because they're only guessing at 250hp. Ford just announced at the NY Auto Show that the new 3.5 will put out either 265 or 263 horses, depending on platform, which is right up there with Nissan's class-leading VQ 3.5 (now rated by the SAE at 255hp in the Maxima, down from the old and less accurate rating).

This is also the engine going into the new CX-9, by the way, and it uses a newly modified version of the current 6 platform. So it makes sense that the next 6 would keep it in the family.

My only question, though, is what happens to the four-cylinder? Does it get bigger (say, 2.5 liters, like the version of the MZR in the B2500 pickup) or will the MZI 3.0 just take over for it instead?

I wonder if we're not looking instead at the beginnings of a Millenia replacement to finally tackle the Maxima head-on, perhaps something with the MZI 3.5 and AWD? Ford has said that the new 3.5 will support direct-injection and turbo applications as well...

[The_Saint]

Edmund's isn't impressed with the power the 3.5 is going to make. However, that's because they're only guessing at 250hp. Ford just announced at the NY Auto Show that the new 3.5 will put out either 265 or 263 horses, depending on platform, which is right up there with Nissan's class-leading VQ 3.5 (now rated by the SAE at 255hp in the Maxima, down from the old and less accurate rating).

This is also the engine going into the new CX-9, by the way, and it uses a newly modified version of the current 6 platform. So it makes sense that the next 6 would keep it in the family.

My only question, though, is what happens to the four-cylinder? Does it get bigger (say, 2.5 liters, like the version of the MZR in the B2500 pickup) or will the MZI 3.0 just take over for it instead?

I wonder if we're not looking instead at the beginnings of a Millenia replacement to finally tackle the Maxima head-on, perhaps something with the MZI 3.5 and AWD? Ford has said that the new 3.5 will support direct-injection and turbo applications as well...
[/b]

After looking at those spy pics, this may be the mazda 9. (I hope)
also, the VQ 3.5 still makes 265hp (atleast the one that is going into the 2007 altima); I believe the 2007 maxima makes 255hp because of the standard Continuously Variable Transmission, nissan no longer offers an optional stick shift tranny.

I really hope mazda releases a mazda 9, something big as an avalon with an option for manual tranny and a price tag starting at $28,000.

[Duncan]

Something else I'm puzzled by, which might add more fuel to the fire.

So, Mazda claims that the new CX-7 does not share its chassis with any other vehicle. However, the new (and larger) CX-9 is claimed to be based on a revised version of the Mazda6 platform - it's also claimed not to share anything more than a family resemblance with the CX-7.

Obviously, this doesn't quite make sense. Either the CX-7 or the CX-9 is using a next-gen chassis, but if the two don't share anything, then are BOTH chassis new? If this is the case, then it's easy to see the next 6 taking on the smaller CX-7's running gear and the hoped-for 9 following up on the CX-9's design.

Note the styling differences between these two SUVs, too: the CX-7 looks like a bulked-up Mazda6 (minimal chrome, short wheelbase), while the CX-9 is clearly aimed more toward the luxury side of the aisle (multiple chrome accents, standard 20-inch rims, plush two-tone leather, lots of back seat space).

I think it's going to be very interesting watching what happens with these two newest Mazdas - and here we all thought the RX-8 or the Mazda5 might shake things up...

[The_Saint]

Here is a render of the 2008 Mazda 6.

[attachmentid=1319]

[Ross Hill]

Let's hope they go down the luxury route

[Jeff L.]

The 3.5L is the one in the new Ford Taurus, correct? If so, it has 260hp.

As far as CX-7 and CX-9 I heard the CX-9 rides on the same chassis as the Ford Edge, and the CX-7 is on it's own/doesn't share anything with Ford. That's just from random words with some friends and the dealer.

[millyowner]

Some more M6 and confirmation that it will be using the same amended CD3 platform as the Euro Ford Mondeo chassis. Maybe Mazda will get smart and have available AWD on V6 models instead of just the (now discontinued) MazdaSpeed 6.

[churchill2969@msn.com]

The new Mazda6 will come out in either January or February and will actually be a 2009 model, similar to the Tribute redesign as a 2008. No solid word on drivetrain options only that the 3.5L will be the 6 cylinder of choice. Wonder if the one model year of that engine in the CX-9 was a test for the 6 platform. The new 6 will be sold in Europe starting in November as a 2008 but in the US it will be a 2009. At least these are the things that I've been told.

[Xedosman]

I think I can like it; takes a while getting used to the RX8 style front fenders.

Watch this link

And this.