Apart from my spoiler disdain, I found the Mazda6 to be a real eye catcher in the burnt orange metallic that coated my tester. It attracted much attention, including some I wasn't hoping for in the way of red and blue flashing lights. Fortunately the representative of Canada's national police force that curtailed my acceleration test had a soft spot for auto journalists doing their best to keep the motoring public properly informed. Phew!
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| The burnt orange metallic color of my test car attracted all kinds of attention, some more welcomed than others. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
Powerful acceleration is one of the functions the Mazda6 performs best, no matter which of its two engines is chosen. The base power unit is a 2.3-liter, 16-valve inline 4-cylinder capable of a decent 160-horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. But to really get the blood coursing through the veins, the Mazda6 can be equipped with a 3.0-liter, 24-valve V6 pacemaker that features variable valve timing. It's this unit that I tested - and then tested some more.
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| Both engines offered in the Mazda6, the base 2.3-liter 4-cylinder or the 3.0-liter V6, provide powerful and exciting acceleration. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
Although short a few horses when compared to some of the V6 competition from Japan and elsewhere, the Mazda6 engine is a happy little rev'er thanks primarily to its variable timing system and the car's overall light weight - 1,471 kg (3,243 lbs) in GT trim. Low-end torque is adequate, but by no means formidable - let's just call it pleasing. But as the V6 climbs out of the sub-4,000 rpm doldrums, it really begins to pull much more than its own weight. Not only does this process feel good, it sounds good as well. Mazda has paid close attention to the V6 exhaust note.
Within normal operating parameters the smooth running engine is barely audible. Push the little guy hard and the muted growl of a thoroughbred emanates from beneath the hood. Ah, the best of both worlds really is possible - well at least in some limited automotive forms.
