Mazda 6: the Atenza that replaced the 626

The Mazda 6 is Mazda’s mid-size car, introduced in 2002 to replace the long-running Capella/626 and built until 2024. In Japan it was the Atenza until 2019, a name taken from the Italian word attenzione. The first generation was the model that launched Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom marketing.

Mazda 6 at a glance

History of the Mazda 6

The Mazda 6 was first shown at the 35th Tokyo Motor Show at the end of October 2001 and went on sale in Japan on 20 May 2002 as the Atenza, taking 4,000 orders in six days. It followed the Capella/626 and, in internal codes, the first generation was the GG for the saloon and five-door hatchback and GY for the estate. The line-up offered all three bodies, with the saloon, five-door and estate marketed in North America as the Sport Sedan, 5-Door and Sport Wagon.

Engines were Mazda’s MZR units of 1.8, 2.0 and 2.3 litres, with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic; in North America a 3.0-litre Duratec V6 was also available. European and Australian cars could be had with a four-cylinder turbodiesel and six-speed manual that produced more torque than the V6. Production for Europe and Japan began at Hofu in February 2002, European sales started in June 2002, and North American production began at the AutoAlliance International plant in Flat Rock, Michigan, on 1 October 2002, a month after 626 production ended. A facelift in June 2005 brought new bumpers and lights, revised interiors, six-speed manual gearboxes and more powerful diesels with particulate filters. By March 2006 more than a million had been built, faster than any previous Mazda.

The 2006 Mazdaspeed6, sold as the Mazdaspeed Atenza in Japan and Mazda6 MPS in Europe, used a turbocharged 2.3-litre MZR with direct injection. It produced 272 PS (260 PS in Europe because of emissions rules, 274 hp in North America at first), 380 N·m of torque, a six-speed manual and all-wheel drive with an active torque split between 100/0 and 50/50. The car was shown as a concept at the 2002 Paris Motor Show and went on sale in November 2006 after a delay from June. It came with a limited-slip differential and, in North America, Sport and Grand Touring trims.

In China the first generation was built by FAW from March 2003 and stayed in production as the Maliu long after its successors arrived, passing 770,000 units by 2014. The Mazda 6 remained in production until 2024.

Design and features

• Zoom-Zoom: the Mazda 6 was the first model linked to Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom slogan.
• Three bodies: saloon, five-door hatchback and estate from launch.
• Mazdaspeed6: a 272 PS turbocharged 2.3 with all-wheel drive and a limited-slip differential.
• Wide production: built in Japan, Michigan and China for different markets.

Mazda 6 versions

• GG1 saloon and five-door (2002–2007): 1.8, 2.0 and 2.3 MZR engines.
• GY estate (2002–2007): the Sport Wagon/Sport Kombi.
• Mazdaspeed6 / Mazda6 MPS (2006): 272 PS turbo and all-wheel drive.
• Facelift (2005): new front and rear styling and six-speed manual gearboxes.

The Mazda 6 replaced the Mazda Capella and sits above the Mazda 3. More Mazdas are in the Mazda collection.

Sources

• Mazda6, English Wikipedia: first generation, engines, Mazdaspeed6
• Mazda6, German Wikipedia: European launch, production, facelift
• マツダ・アテンザ, Japanese Wikipedia: Atenza name and Japanese launch