Mazda rolls out ‘6’ wagon

MAZDA has released formal images of the wagon version of its all-new Mazda6 mid-sizer ahead of its public debut at the Paris motor show on September 27.

The photos represent the second look at the Japanese-made load lugger, which broke cover early last month in a side-on image of the line-off ceremony for the Mazda6 at the company’s Hofu plant.

This time, however, the images give a clear view of the front and rear of the wagon, which closely follows the lines of the sedan with its ‘Kodo’ design language.

The wagon’s rear hatch displays the same wavy chrome strip across width of the vehicle, and near identical taillights and dual exhaust tailpipes.

This is good news for Mazda in Australia, where the hatch has been the most popular variant in the current model.

The treatment will help Mazda make up for the deletion of the five-door hatch from the Mazda6 range this time around, seemingly blending the hatch and wagon into one five-door model.

The sedan was publicly revealed at the Moscow motor show in late August, when the two SkyActiv-G (for gasoline) four-cylinder petrol engines – in 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre guises – were detailed.

In Paris, the wagon and sedan will be equipped with the new SkyActiv-D 2.2-litre diesel four-cylinder engine, which is set to touch down in the new Mazda6 range in Australia alongside the 2.5-litre petrol four in early 2013.

Unlike the sedan, no overall dimensions for the wagon have been revealed ahead of the Paris show, but it is expected to be bigger in most vital statistics than the current generation, in the same way as the sedan.

Now almost as big as a Holden Commodore, the Mazda6 sits on Mazda’s new SkyActive architecture, which is said to be considerably lighter than the current generation.