You've got a friend: new Mazda6

The new Mazda6 wants to be your friend.

That's according its Japanese designers, who say that the second-generation of Mazda's Mondeo rival is out to create 'a strong emotional tie between car and its owner, like a close friendship, which is called Kizuna in Japanese'.

Why so friendly? Well, Mazda says that it's all thanks to the 6's combination of roominess and dynamic design.

And it's difficult to argue with the space claim: the new 6 is longer, wider, taller and sits on a longer wheelbase than its predecessor. That means there's more leg- and shoulder-room, along with a bigger boot and a wider tailgate.

It's all tied up in a package that looks, well, not too different to the previous 6. As Paul Horrell discusses in his first drive blog, the design is more evolution than revolution, but it's still a good-looking car, with a hint of RX-6 about those front arches.

And, though it won't be as engaging as the RX-6 to drive, the 6 still looks firmly focused on road-handling dynamics.

Mazda has pulled the same trick as with its new 2 by keeping the weight down: the new 6 is some 35kg lighter than its predecessor, despite a more rigid body shell.

The 6 gets a new double-wishbone front suspension system, as well as revised power steering and bigger brakes. Engines should be livelier, too: the old car's 2.3-litre petrol engine has been replaced by a 2.5-litre four-pot, which develops 168bhp and 167lb ft of torque.

There are two other petrol engines - 1.8- and 2.0-litre efforts - and a 2.0-litre turbodiesel, which Mazda predicts will be the big seller.

The new 6 will arrive in Britain to be your best friend early next year, with the estate version following in March.

© Source: topgear
We need your comments below >>