Mazda6 MPS

Whatever the next lines say, it's clear: no calm driver will buy a Mazda like this. But even among the temperamental, there are few people who would like to play sports all the time, and even fewer who would not use their car from time to time, say, their partner. So the good news is this: this Mazda is basically a friendly car that anyone can drive in complete peace and comfort without any misery.

It has the two most important mechanical elements: the engine and the clutch. The latter has nothing to do with racing, that is, it distributes the torque from the engine to the transmission gently and with a longer pedal movement, which means that it “behaves” like all other clutches that can be called average in the automotive industry. . It differs only in that it must withstand torque up to 380 Newton meters, but you don’t feel this in the driver’s seat.

So, engine? At a time when the Lancia Delta Integrale had just over 200 horsepower in a two-litre engine (and a race hard "short" clutch), these cars were (always) not fun to drive. How times have changed is shown (also) by the Mazda6 MPS: 260 horsepower from a 2-litre four-cylinder engine is sort of a similar feature, but a completely different character.

Power rises sharply but steadily even at wide open throttle, thanks to direct petrol injection, Hitachi turbocharger (1 bar overpressure) with intercooler, intelligent design of the working fluid path, intake system, combustion chambers, exhaust system) and of course the same control electronics.

Some roughness remained: after the full opening, the engine rumbled almost unobtrusively and rather softly. And, surprisingly, the most uncomfortable thing about this Mazda is that it has nothing to do with either the engine or the clutch: the pedals. Those for the brake and clutch are quite stiff, and if not the first, then the second (for the clutch) is the one that first changes the slow movements ("stop and go") in traffic to secondary ones, and then for a long time more and more suffered.

In principle, and in most cases, the lady is unlikely to grumble when it comes to driving. However, it may stop at the body; The MPS can only be a sedan, and while it has a very large boot lid (easier access), Mazda would benefit if the MPS were offered at least as a more useful limousine (five doors), if not more useful and trendy. van. But there is nothing we can do about it, at least for the time being.

To set itself apart from other sixes, the MPS has some exterior changes that make it more aggressive or sportier. In most cases, the uniformity of appearance and parts used (for example, the raised hood is because there is an "intercooler" under it), only a pair of exhaust pipes (one on each side in the rear) is a little disappointing, as they are bulky, the oval is only a few inches long, and behind them is a completely innocent exhaust pipe of small dimensions. And another color: silver will be ordered by an economist who calculates that it will probably be easier to sell someday, and a person with soul will probably prefer red, where the details come to the fore much better.

But driving still isn't affected by color. Thanks to its mechanical design, this MPS is especially good in two situations: on fast long corners (in addition to good wheel and tire handling) due to its long wheelbase and on slippery short corners thanks to the electronically controlled all-wheel drive capable of continuously dividing the engine torque in a ratio (forward: backward) from 100: 0 to 50: 50 percent.

If the driver can manage to keep the engine rpm between 3.000 and 5.000 rpm, it will be a lot of fun, because the engine has a lot of thrust in this area, as the British would say, that is, it pulls perfectly, thanks. your (turbo) design. Going up to 6.000 rpm makes the MPS a racing car, and although the electronics shut off the engine at 6.900 rpm, it makes no sense: they overlap completely, the end performance is not much better.

When driving at a speed of 160 kilometers per hour, the engine will need more than 10 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, with a constant 200 kilometers per hour (about 5.000 rpm in 6th gear), the consumption will be 20 liters, but if the driver knows only the extreme position of the accelerator pedal , consumption will increase to an average of 23 liters at the same distance, and the speed (on a not entirely empty road) will always be close to 240 kilometers per hour when the electronics interrupt acceleration.

In the case of four-wheel drive sports cars, the behavior on slippery asphalt or gravel is always interesting. The MPS turns out to be great here: one would expect the sum of turbo lag and viscous clutch to add up to a very noticeable lag, but the combination turns out to provide fast traction. The delay is so great that in race mode you have to step on the gas pedal a moment earlier than usual. If the engine speed exceeds 3.500 rpm, the main pleasures are as follows: the rear part moves away and the removal of the steering wheel maintains the set direction.

With this Mazda it is also nice to take the rear end even with fast acceleration (and, of course, even more pronounced when braking), which allows you to overcome many corners, but it is good to remember (even with this) all-wheel drive, which often exceeds the help of braking in a corner at full gas. For this, of course, you need to have the engine at the right speed (gear!), More driving skills, etc. ... ahem. ... bravery. You know what word I mean.

The whole experience is nicely complemented by the rest of the mechanics: efficient brakes (although they were already quite loud in the test Mazda), precise steering (which is great if you don't need really fast movements or turns) and a reliable chassis that is a really good intermediate link. between reliable sporty rigidity and excellent passenger comfort, even on long racing journeys. The gearbox is also very good, with short and precise lever movements, but with the same feature as the steering wheel: it doesn't like very fast lever movements.

The least sporty parts of the Mazda6 MPS are the seats: you can expect more effective lateral grip from them, the leather is also quite slippery, and after sitting for a long time they tire your back. In terms of sporty usability, large and transparent gauges with "clean" red graphics are much better, but still, as with all Mazda6s, the information system leaves much to be desired; One side of the small screen displays the clock or modest on-board computer data, while the other shows the set air conditioning temperature or outside temperature. And the ergonomics of the management of this system is not particularly worthy. The MPS also has a sequential navigation device which is really useful, but with a slightly unfortunate menu.

But in any case: all the mechanics of the turbocharged Mazda6 MPS are well mannered and tamed, and you don't have to dodge the corners of a Formula 1 Monte Carlo race to figure it out; Already crushed stone turns with ups and downs in the Crimea can convince.

Vinko Kernc

Photo: Vinko Kernc, Aleš Pavletič

Mazda 6 MPS

Basic data

Sales:	Mazda Motor Slovenia Ltd.
Base model price:	34.722,92 €
Test model cost:	34.722,92 €
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Power:	191kW (260 KM)
Acceleration (0-100 km / h):	6,6 with
Maximum speed:	240 km / h
Mixed flow ECE:	10,2l / 100km

Technical information

engine:	4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - turbocharged petrol - displacement 2261 cm3 - maximum power 191 kW (260 hp) at 5500 rpm - maximum torque 380 Nm at 3000 rpm.
Energy transfer:	the engine drives all four wheels - 6-speed manual transmission - tires 215/45 R 18 Y (Bridgestone Potenza RE050A).
Capacity:	top speed 240 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h in 6,6 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 14,1 / 8,0 / 10,2 l / 100 km.
Transportation and suspension:	sedan - 4 doors, 5 seats - self-supporting body - front single suspension, leaf springs, two triangular cross rails, stabilizer - rear single suspension, cross rails, longitudinal rails, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, stabilizer - front disc brakes (forced disc) ), rear reel – rolling circle 11,9 m –
Mass:	empty vehicle 1590 kg - permissible gross weight 2085 kg.
Inner dimensions:	fuel tank 60 l.
Box:	Trunk volume measured using AM standard set of 5 Samsonite suitcases (total volume 278,5 L): 1 backpack (20 L); 1 × aviation suitcase (36 l); 1 × suitcase (68,5 l); 1 × suitcase (85,5 l)

Our measurements

T = 17 ° C / p = 1012 mbar / rel. Ownership: 64% / Condition of km counter: 7321 km
Acceleration 0-100km:	6,1s
402m from the city:	14,3 years ( 158 km / h)
1000m from the city:	26,1 years ( 202 km / h)
Flexibility 50-90km / h:	6,6 / 10,5s
Flexibility 80-120km / h:	6,4 / 13,9s
Maximum speed:	240km / h (WE.)
Minimum consumption:	10,7l / 100km
Maximum consumption:	25,5l / 100km
test consumption:	12,2 l / 100km
Braking distance at 100 km / h:	36,5m
AM table:	40m
Noise at 50 km / h in 3rd gear	56dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 4rd gear	55dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 5rd gear	55dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 6rd gear	55dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 3rd gear	66dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 4rd gear	63dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 5rd gear	62dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 6rd gear	61dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 4rd gear	68dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 5rd gear	67dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 6rd gear	66dB
Test errors:	unmistakable

Overall rating (362/420)

• While this is a highly cultured sports car, it is not aimed at buyers at all. In addition to the engine, the top position stands out, and the price of the package is especially pleasing. After all, this MPS could be a family car too, albeit with only four doors.

• Exterior (13/15)

  Here it was necessary to take into account the color: in silver it is much less pronounced than, say, in red.

• Interior (122/140)

  We expect the best sizes from a sports car. Slightly pedestrian ergonomics. Lack of useful trunk.

• Engine, transmission (36
  
  
  / 40)

  The engine is theoretically and practically excellent. The gearbox does not allow fast movements of the lever - gear shifting.

• Driving performance (83
  
  
  / 95)

  Excellent driving position, very good steering wheel and too stiff pedals for everyday use, especially for grip!

• Performance (32/35)

  The performance is sporty and almost racing despite the tame drive mechanics.

• Security (34/45)

  We're missing trackable headlights. Nice feature: fully switchable stabilization system.

• Economy

  The seemingly high price tag includes an excellent set of equipment and mechanics, including performance.

We praise and reproach

engine performance

motor cultivation

chassis

shoulder strap

Equipment

position on the road

bad information system

hard clutch pedal

inconspicuous exhaust

seat

fuel consumption

adjustable trunk

no warning about open tailgate