Takashi Yamanouchi, Mazda’s chief executive, presenting the Mazda 6 at the Los Angeles auto show on Thursday.


Introduced This Week: 2014 Skyactiv Mazda 6

What it is: The all-new Mazda 6. The design closely resembles the Takeri concept sedan that had its debut in North America at the New York International Auto Show this year.

What it isn’t: Mazda’s flagship car doesn’t resemble anything else in the ho-hum midsize sedan segment. It’s much like its fan base: “young, stylish customers,” said Jim O’Sullivan, the president and chief executive of Mazda North American Operations.

What makes it tick: There’s no V-6, and there’s no turbocharged version. But there’s a Skyactiv-G 184-horsepower 2.5-liter engine. A Skyactiv-D 2.2-liter diesel will be arriving in the United States in the second half of 2013 (no performance numbers are available yet). Expect Skyactiv to ultimately dominate the brand. Sidenote: The company says the new Mazda6 will be the first diesel-powered racecar to compete in the Grand-Am GX class in the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

How much, how soon? The Mazda 6 arrives in dealerships in the United States in January. Mazda is still tight-lipped about pricing, but don’t expect it to stray far from a starting price in the low $20s.

Our take: With a stunning exterior and advanced technology, the Mazda 6 is like champagne on a beer budget. And with the new Skyactiv Mazda 3 hitting 40 m.p.g. on the highway and the CX-5 reaching 35, it will be interesting to see what the Mazda 6 achieves.


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source: http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012...-now-a-diesel/