In the highly competitive midsize-sedan segment, the Mazda6 is the capable-but-overlooked wallflower in the bunch. Mazda hopes to break the sedan out of its shell with the upcoming third-gen model, which will roll into the showroom wearing sharper duds and some high-tech, high-efficiency muscle under the hood.
The folks over at Motor Trend recently caught a tester out in the open — but if it looks rather familiar, it should. What we see here is the current gen, five-door hatchback that sold in markets outside of the United States. Expect the finished product to look more like the impressive Takeri concept unveiled at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show. Like the 2013 Mazda CX-5, the Takeri sports the automaker’s new Kodo design theme, complete with a more substantial, trapezoidal front grille and pumped-up fenders.
Just as important are the powertrain changes, which will likely include selections from Mazda’s Skyactiv engine range, start/stop technology, and the innovative i-ELOOP regenerative braking system that utilizes capacitors to store and discharge kinetic energy. A Skyactiv-D diesel engine, perhaps the rumored 2.2-liter, turbocharged I-4, is also expected to be offered in the next-gen model — even in North America.
Check out more shots of the Mazda6 test mule over at Motor Trend.
Source: Motor Trend
