2014 MAZDA6 NAMED 'CAR OF THE YEAR' BY POPULAR MECHANICS

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The completely redesigned 2014 Mazda6 mid-size sedan was today named "Car of the Year" by Popular Mechanics, an award-winning special interest magazine covering the best of today's technologies and beyond.  Combined with SKYACTIV®¹ TECHNOLOGY – the umbrella term for a host of performance-oriented, fuel-saving engine, transmission, body and chassis components – this third-generation Mazda6 features even more all-new groundbreaking Mazda-engineered technology.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131112/LA14987)

"To be named 'Car of the Year' by a publication as esteemed as Popular Mechanics is as flattering as it is humbling," said Jim O'Sullivan, president & CEO, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO).  "And the continued success of the 2014 Mazda6 is a testament to the brand's 'clean slate' approach, where everyone from every team – R&D and design to strategy and marketing – rolled up their proverbial sleeves to answer the question 'If we could start all over, what can we do better?' We believe in 'One Team, One Mazda' and it is a proud honor to share this accolade with the entire global Mazda family."

After a year of test driving the latest automotive offerings, PM's automotive editors and contributors judged vehicles and selected the Car of the Year for its overall excellence and their top 10 choices by segment.  The Car of the Year is the vehicle that best exemplifies qualities that are most important to Popular Mechanics readers: affordability, utility, fuel efficiency, performance, innovation and bold design.  The SKYACTIV family of engines garnered an Automotive Excellence Award last year in the "Technical Innovation" bonus category. 

"At Popular Mechanics, we love it when bold engineering and great design come together," said Jim Meigs, editor-in-chief, Popular Mechanics. "The Mazda6 really impressed us with how well it delivers so many things modern car owners want: great mileage, fun road-handling, upscale features and looks – and remarkable value."

From the global debut of the capacitor-based regenerative engine braking system i-ELOOP to the North American introductions of the front collision-detecting Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system and SKYACTIV-D 2.2-liter clean diesel engine, the 2014 Mazda6 has been the dynamic brand ambassador to shake up the mid-size segment stasis by turning its stifled amps to 11.  By offering unmatched driving capability, excellent performance, striking design, exceptional safety and best-in-class highway fuel economy (40 MPG), this four-door family sedan thrives on surpassing expectations.

Available in three trim levels – Sport, Touring and Grand Touring – all Mazda6 vehicles are currently fitted with a SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter gasoline engine, which can be paired with a choice of transmissions: the SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual or SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic.  Featuring the lean, muscular character lines of the KODO "Soul of Motion" design language, the 2014 Mazda6 touts 184 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 185 lb-ft of torque at 3,250 rpm. 

Shapely and sophisticated, Mazda6 also offers a best-in-class coefficient of drag as low as 0.26 (Grand Touring only) as well as an impressive EPA-rated fuel efficiency of 25 city/37 highway/29 combined MPG when equipped with the standard manual transmission.  Automatic-equipped vehicles see fuel economy increased to an EPA-estimate rating of 26 city/38 highway/30 combined.  When coupled with i-ELOOP, which is part of the Technology Package (Grand Touring only), fuel economy is a best-in-class EPA rating of 28 city/40 highway/32 combined MPG.

The SKYACTIV-D 2.2L engine is expected to go on sale in North America in late spring of 2014.  Final specifications and packaging information of the diesel engine and trim combinations will be announced closer to its on-sale date.

Named a 2013 Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the all-new i-ACTIVSENSE suite of safety technologies utilizes sensing devices such as milliwave radars and cameras to support the driver in recognizing hazards, avoiding collisions and minimizing damage, should accidents occur.  While these systems will not eliminate accidents, their intent is to minimize them and reduce the severity of a crash.  Safety features vary by trim level. 

Standard safety features for all 2014 Mazda6 models include six airbags (front, side and full side-curtain), whiplash-reducing front headrests, power-assisted ventilated front and solid rear disc brakes, anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist, daytime running lights, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), a Traction Control System (TCS), hill launch assist, a fold-away brake pedal assembly, a trunk entrapment release system, a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), three-point safety belts for all seating positions, front seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters as well as Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH).

Touring models feature a Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) as standard equipment with the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system available as part of an optional package. Grand Touring models feature BSM, RCTA, SCBS and an Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) as standard equipment. Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) and High Beam Control (HBC) are available as part of an optional package.

On sale nationwide, the 2014 Mazda6 starts at $20,990² MSRP.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers.  Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.  For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at www.mazdausamedia.com. 

¹ SKYACTIV is a registered trademark of Mazda Motor Corporation (MC).

² Starting price is manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for lowest trim level. MSRP does not include $795 destination charge (Alaska $840), title, taxes, license, options and dealer charges. Actual prices set by dealer and may vary.

SOURCE Mazda North American Operations