Mazda Mazda6

The Mazda Atenza or Mazda6 is an automobile from the Japanese carmaker Mazda. It replaced the Capella/626. The model lineup consists of 4-door sedan, 5-door hatchback, and wagon (also known as estate), available with a 2.3 litre 4-cylinder L-family engine with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed (with sequential-automatic option, dubbed the "4-Speed Sport AT") automatic gearbox, or a 3.0 litre Ford Duratec V6 engine with a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic gearbox (with sequential-automatic option, dubbed the "6-Speed Sport AT"). European versions also feature a four-cylinder turbo diesel. In its first years, the Mazda6 came with a 4-speed automatic, 5-speed automatic "AT," and 5-speed manual transmission. During 2005, a 6-speed automatic became available. Final drive is to the front wheels only in most markets, though full-time all-wheel-drive models are available in Japan and Europe.

Related Topics:
Automobile - Japan - Mazda - Capella - 626 - L-family - Ford Duratec - Turbo - Diesel - All-wheel-drive

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Not all configurations are available in all areas - for example, the Mazda 6 as released in Australia was a four-cylinder car only, while the last 626 which it replaced was a four or six cylinder car. This has led to much amusement as to the choice of names. Speaking of which, the name Atenza is used only in Japan - the Mazda 6 name is used everywhere else in the world.

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Like the 626 before it, Ford is using the Mazda6 "CD3" platform as the basis for a number of other vehicles, including the upcoming entry-level Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr, next-generation Lincoln Aviator, and a range of SUVs and minivans. Ford also plans to add a Hybrid powertrain on the platform. For its part, Mazda themselves refer to this chassis as either the GG (sedan/hatch) or GY (wagon) series - following the previous 626/Capella in its GF/GW series.

Related Topics:
626 - Ford - CD3 - Ford Fusion - Mercury Milan - Lincoln Zephyr - Lincoln Aviator - SUVs - Minivans - Hybrid

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North American Mazda 6 production is handled at the AutoAlliance International plant. The first Mazda 6 rolled off this Flat Rock, Michigan assembly line on October 1, 2002, one month after production of the 626 ended. There are also satellite plants building Mazda 6 models in China and Thailand.

Related Topics:
AutoAlliance International - Flat Rock - Michigan - October 1 - 2002 - 626 - China - Thailand

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