Suddenly a contender The new Mazda 6 can now vie for executive car shoppers’ hearts alongside stiff competition due to an exterior design building on tension and athleticism.

IN an effort to keep up with a suddenly rapidly accelerating executive-sedan segment, Mazda Philippines recently launched the second iteration of the Mazda 6 at the Blue Leaf pavilion in Fort Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Resembling its Mazda 3 compact passenger car (as well as maintaining a singular visual identity with all Mazda vehicles), the new Mazda 6 is billed as the ultimate definition of adult style, designed to deliver total satisfaction to those who seek life’s rewards. Retaining the athletic character portrayed by its predecessor, the front fenders emphasize the wheels and tires, and the short overhangs complement its projected sportiness. The side styling conveys tension and reflects the inherently Japanese ma (the spaces between things) aesthetic to emphasize design cues such as the deliberate intervals between highlights.

Unlike other executive sedans that overtly remind potential owners to relax in the back seat and enjoy the ride, the P1.499-million Mazda 6 begs to be driven. The cockpit is laid out for full driver involvement without being cramped, lending itself to quick and quasi-instinctive operation. For example, a sliding center armrest between the front seats allows the driver to rest his or her elbow for greater comfort during long drives or even in bumper-to-bumper traffic. A four-gauge, red-font instrument cluster similar to the Mazda 3 nestles above the steering wheel for quicker and easier view of the car’s internal status. And more ergonomic steering wheel-mounted audio-entertainment controls give the driver more accessible enjoyment for listening pleasure.   

Mazda retained the inline four cylinder from the previous model (along with its Variable Intake System electronic throttle body control and Sequential Valve Timing), but this time bumping displacement 200 cc more for 2.5 liters—168 hp and 226 Nm of torque to be exact—of zoom-zoom. The five-speed A/T now has Active Adaptive Shift for a linear, lively shift feel that adapts to the driver’s style and road conditions. A rack-drive Electric Power Assist Steering keeps the nose planted properly, be it in cramped city maneuvers, hard cornering or emergency change-of-lane movement. For supreme deceleration, four-wheel ABS, coupled with Dynamic Stability Control, now finds itself within the mechanical and electronic confines of the engine bay to give occupants peace of mind and prevent them from tumbling about during sudden, hard stops.

These enhancements are sure to bring out the close emotional ties between owner/driver and the car, making the second-generation Mazda 6 a charmer for a second time. Said Mazda Philippines marketing manager Eric Malimban at the Mazda 6 launch, “Our expectations are high for the new Mazda 6, and we want to redefine the global standard in the midsize-car category with the new Mazda 6.”

IN an effort to keep up with a suddenly rapidly accelerating executive-sedan segment, Mazda Philippines recently launched the second iteration of the Mazda 6 at the Blue Leaf pavilion in Fort Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

IN a bid to make their vehicles stand out in a homogeneous and crowded market, car designers, dealers, as well as owners, are coming up to the state of gadgetry, from pop-up navigation systems and music-storing hard drives, tilting LCD monitors, TVs, video games, DVDs, iPod-supporting entertainment system to wireless Internet networking and other extras.

Newfound harmonious balance

HONDA now has upped the ante for executive sedans with the launch of the eighth-generation Honda Accord.

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A Bavarian Fiesta

WHEN BMW invited this writer to its recent driving-seminar experience, we did not realize that we would be treated to a bonanza of “Beemers.” Typically, events like these would concentrate on a certain model that all motoring hacks would try out on a laid out course and then we would write our piece about it. That would be quite easy to do.