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17th
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We, at Auto123.com, have just completed a full Mazda press fleet roundup (or nearly) and I've walked away with a grin on my face.
Specifically speaking, given that Miranda travelled to the launch of the 2014 CX-5 and Mazda6, it was up to me to drive them in the course of our usual one-week road tests. I drove them back-to-back, and I must say that they blew me away.
Mazda was once a brand that could do no wrong, as far as I was concerned anyhow. From the 626, Millenia to the MX-6, Miata, Protegé, RX-7, and RX-8; I was in love with them all. My first press car (ever) was a shiny new 1999 Protegé LX in which I was rear-ended not 15 minutes after having picked it up...
Some of my best press car memories were at the wheel of an MX-5 (2001), Protegé5 (2002), and RX-8 (2003).
Something happened and I fell out of love with Mazda when the 2004 Mazda3 (uber popular car so I was clearly out to lunch...) and 2003 Mazda6 arrived. The 2001 Tribute was the first Mazda product to irk me... But now, I've made an about-face.
The lineup is still not 100% as far as I'm concerned, but so impressed am I with the new 2014 Mazda6 and 2014 Mazda CX-5 that I'm back on the Mazda bandwagon. Thankfully, I was never fully off because of the likes of the MX-5 (where I need my yearly dose), the Mazdaspeed3 and the Mazdaspeed6...
That brings me to the question: When will Mazda release a new Mazdaspeed6? Because Lord knows there are a few hundred Canadians out there who want a car that will tango with an Audi S4 or BMW 335i for $20,000 less.
The new Mazda6 is so good that I swore all week that the chassis had been designed for far more than a regular road car. I'd certainly not made the discovery on my own as Mazda has showcased and raced a number of times in Grand-Am and Endurance races.
The next Mazdaspeed6 is going to be epic. I can feel it. With SKYACTIV technology and forced induction, I'm sensing 300 hp and as many or more torques, AWD and a dual-clutch ‘box. I'm imagining sub-6-second 0-100 km/h sprints and very good times to be had.
As Mazda reclaims their identity, the return of a Mazdaspeed MX-5 also becomes a possibility. The final hurrah of the current 3rd generation MX-5 is upon us and the time is ripe for more power and eye candy.
The bottom line? We can expect many more good things to come from Mazda, and I can't wait to sample them all!
Specifically speaking, given that Miranda travelled to the launch of the 2014 CX-5 and Mazda6, it was up to me to drive them in the course of our usual one-week road tests. I drove them back-to-back, and I must say that they blew me away.
Mazda was once a brand that could do no wrong, as far as I was concerned anyhow. From the 626, Millenia to the MX-6, Miata, Protegé, RX-7, and RX-8; I was in love with them all. My first press car (ever) was a shiny new 1999 Protegé LX in which I was rear-ended not 15 minutes after having picked it up...
Some of my best press car memories were at the wheel of an MX-5 (2001), Protegé5 (2002), and RX-8 (2003).
Something happened and I fell out of love with Mazda when the 2004 Mazda3 (uber popular car so I was clearly out to lunch...) and 2003 Mazda6 arrived. The 2001 Tribute was the first Mazda product to irk me... But now, I've made an about-face.
The lineup is still not 100% as far as I'm concerned, but so impressed am I with the new 2014 Mazda6 and 2014 Mazda CX-5 that I'm back on the Mazda bandwagon. Thankfully, I was never fully off because of the likes of the MX-5 (where I need my yearly dose), the Mazdaspeed3 and the Mazdaspeed6...
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| Photo: Philippe Champoux |
That brings me to the question: When will Mazda release a new Mazdaspeed6? Because Lord knows there are a few hundred Canadians out there who want a car that will tango with an Audi S4 or BMW 335i for $20,000 less.
The new Mazda6 is so good that I swore all week that the chassis had been designed for far more than a regular road car. I'd certainly not made the discovery on my own as Mazda has showcased and raced a number of times in Grand-Am and Endurance races.
The next Mazdaspeed6 is going to be epic. I can feel it. With SKYACTIV technology and forced induction, I'm sensing 300 hp and as many or more torques, AWD and a dual-clutch ‘box. I'm imagining sub-6-second 0-100 km/h sprints and very good times to be had.
As Mazda reclaims their identity, the return of a Mazdaspeed MX-5 also becomes a possibility. The final hurrah of the current 3rd generation MX-5 is upon us and the time is ripe for more power and eye candy.
The bottom line? We can expect many more good things to come from Mazda, and I can't wait to sample them all!