WASHINGTON, April 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Association (GAAMA) named the 2015 Mazda6 its "Technology Choice Award" at its second annual Family Choice Challenge held on Friday, April 25th.

"A repeat winner at Family Choice Challenge, the Mazda6 consistently earns accolades for its impressive combination of style and substance," said GAAMA President Nick Palermo. "Upon first glance, the Mazda6 has the striking lines of a show car. But a more in-depth look reveals a vehicle that delivers comfort and efficiency to match its visual appeal. Parents love midsize sedans, which are right-sized for family life. Irresistible styling and plenty of useful technology help the Mazda6 to rise to the top among a field of very capable competitors."

On sale now, the 2015 Mazda6 features an array of Mazda-engineered technologies and features wrapped into a stare-worthy design. SKYACTIV® [1] TECHNOLOGY is now joined by the capacitor-based regenerative engine braking i-ELOOP system and safety-focused i-ACTIVSENSE. And its strong sweeping character lines courtesy of the KODO "Soul of Motion" design language continue to turn heads. Available in three trim levels – Sport, Touring and Grand Touring – Mazda6 is currently equipped with the SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter gasoline engine. 

The entry-level Mazda6 Sport ($21,190 [2] MSRP) comes equipped with the manual transmission as well as a bounty of standard features, some of which are considered premium add-ons amongst competitors. These amenities include push-button start, air conditioning with a pollen filter, a tilt-and-telescopic adjustable steering column, steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise control functions, a multi-information display (MID) with a trip computer, auxiliary/USB input connections, cloth-trimmed sport seats, a six-way manual driver's seat with manual lumbar support, 60/40-split fold-down rear seats, a leather-wrapped parking brake, shift knob and steering wheel, daytime running lights, auto-off halogen headlights and 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels.  New standard equipment for 2015 is the addition of power windows with a one-touch up/down operation for all windows and illuminated power window switches on all doors.

Standard safety features for all 2015 Mazda6 models includes six airbags (advanced dual front, front-seat side mounted and full-length side curtain), daytime running lights, whiplash-reducing front headrests, height-adjustable headrests for all seating positions, an Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) with Brake Assist, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with a Traction Control System (TCS), a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Hill Launch Assist (HLA), power-assisted ventilated front brakes and solid rear disc brakes, three-point safety belts for all seating positions, a fold-away brake pedal assembly, a trunk entrapment release system, front seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters as well as Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH). A rearview camera is added to Sport models equipped with an automatic transmission.  Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) are standard on Touring models with Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) available as a package option.  Grand Touring models receive SCBS and an Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) as standard equipment with Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC), Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW), a Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) and High Beam Control (HBC) available as package options. 

As a whole, these safety features comprise the i-ACTIVSENSE umbrella, a suite of active-safety pre-crash detection systems. These technologies use sensing devices such as milliwave radars and cameras to help 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.

Fuel economy for the 2015 Mazda6 is EPA rated at 25 city/37 highway/29 combined mpg when equipped with a manual transmission. Automatic transmissions receive an EPA fuel economy rating of 26 city/38 highway/30 combined mpg, and when paired with i-ELOOP receive an EPA rating of 28 city/40 highway/32 combined mpg, which is the best highway mpg [3] in the segment.

GAAMA was founded to further the professionalism of the automotive media, provide a forum for newsworthy people and products connected with the automotive industry and to bring together people whose activities are related to the field of automotive journalism, public relations and related fields for the mutual benefit of all parties.

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.
[3] 2014 Mazda6 Grand Touring models equipped with 6-speed automatic and i-ELOOP.  Sport and Touring models are not available with i-ELOOP and are EPA-estimated to achieve 37 highway mpg (6-speed manual) or 38 highway mpg (6-speed automatic). Actual fuel economy will vary based on driving habits and road conditions.

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SOURCE Mazda North American Operations