Never one to miss an opportunity, we spotted the new Mazda 6 MPS being off loaded from a truck onto a Mazda dealers forecourt.
Apologies for the pictures due to limited cameraphone pixels and the fact it still had its wrappers on, but you have to use what resources are available at the time.
Apparently these models are registered and will therefor be used for demonstration cars in preparation for the official launch in early January 2006. Having plenty of demo’s rather than putting them in the showroom, tells you that Mazda want you to get in the car and drive it so to appreciate its full potential.
It’s a sound strategy because first impressions don’t exactly take your breath away. The interior looked little different from a standard Mazda 6 and there was no chrome, carbon or fairy dice to make you think you were sitting in a £25,000 sports car. The only noticable sporty features where the 6-speed gearbox and aluminium pedals. However the cabin appeared very well put together and the quality of materials used look and feel second to none.
So it’s clear the Mazda MPS won’t get Impreza/Evo drivers revving their engines at traffic lights wanting to race you either, which is a probably a good thing really and deliberate by Mazda. Quite the opposite will happen as you quietly go about your business occasionally raising the odd eyebrow as you pull into a carpark or restaurant.
But looking a little closer at the set-up and engine makes you quickly realise this is a wolf in sheeps clothing. Powered by the all new 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo Engine which is comparable to a 3.5 to 4.0-litre V6 power plant, tells you this car means business.
Add to that the Active Torque Split All-Wheel Drive System coupled with handling expertise of Mazda engineers, you just know this car is going to do well for the Japanese car maker. It’s also nice to see Mazda back making these cars again after spending the last few years in the wilderness.
Audi, Lexus and possibly BMW drivers are going to love this car as well as the loyal Mazda buyer who wants the best of both worlds. Looking around the showroom while we were there, you can’t help but notice the Mazda RX8, all new Mazda MX5 and Mazda 3 Sport. A clear indication that with this range topping monster sitting alongside the rest of the pack, Mazda look set up nicely for the future and ready to take on all comers.
So it’s just a case of check the diary and a return visit to the dealer in January for a closer look and take Mazda up on the offer of a testdrive.