2009 Mazda6 Debuts, Mazdaspeed Version On The Way
It's taken almost a year for Mazda to release its redesigned Mazda6 in North America. At first glance, it looks virtually identical to its European and Japanese counterparts. Look closer, however, and the subtleties become more apparent. The 2009 Mazda6 gets a reworked fascia with a bisected grille and fog lamps mounted at the outer edges of the air dams, while a new bumper, tweaked trunk and reworked exhaust rounds out the rear.
Under the lengthened chassis is the same double wishbone (front) and multi-link (rear) suspension found in the European and Japanese models, with ABS-assisted ventilated front and solid rear brake discs. At the entry-level end of the spectrum, a 170bhp 2.5-liter four-cylinder is mated to either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic gearbox. Opt for the 3.7-liter V6, and 273bhp and 270lb-ft of torque will be sent to the front wheels via a six-speed auto 'box equipped with a 'manumatic' sport shift.
Early reports of a Mazdaspeed version suggests that a 280bhp, turbocharged version of the 2.5-liter four will power all four wheels, the package augmented by a stiffened suspension, upgraded brakes, aggressive aero kit and larger wheels wrapped in sticky sport rubber.
By the time you read this, the 2009 Mazda6 will be on sale in either Sport, Touring or Grand Touring trim, with no plans to introduce a five-door or wagon variant in the US. Expect the Mazdaspeed6 to arrive some time in 2010.
Dream Tc: Ken Gushi's Rear-Drive RS*R Scion
If Toyota had asked us to design the Scion tC, we sure wouldn't have made it a front-driver powered by a Camry engine. But Toyota has seen the error of its ways. Not only is the company bringing out a proper rear-wheel-drive coupe for 2011 (with the help of Subaru), it's also providing backing for RS*R to convert the staid tC into a Formula D contender.
JDM obsessives are well aware that the Scion tC shares a platform with the all-wheel-drive Toyota Avenis and Caldina, so shaping Scion's popular coupe into a rear-wheel-drive track tool is only a fat check and some serious mechanical fortitude away. RS*R stepped up to the challenge.
After yanking out the stock 2AZ-FE, it fabbed a series of mounts to facilitate the coupe's transformation from a transverse to a longitudinal layout. Under the wild wide-body kit lies a BEAMS-built, 3S-GTE four-pot that uses an HKS GT3037 turbo. Coupled with a flat-mounted HKS intercooler, Blitz Dual SBC boost controller and an AEM EMS engine management system, this engine sends 400bhp through a Tilton triple carbon clutch and down to the rear wheels via a G-Force five-speed sequential gearbox.
Suspension duties are handled by a set of RS*R coilovers, while 18-inch Enkei RPF1 wheels wrapped in Toyo Proxes R1R tires (245/40/18) frame upgraded brakes courtesy of Project Mu. Inside, Formula D driver Ken Gushi is strapped in to a Sparco Corsa race seat and keeps tabs on engine vitals through a Stack ST8130 race display.
Naturally, a full roll cage, five-point harness and fuel cell ensure that Gushi can concentrate on pleasing the judges without having to worry about the unthinkable. The 2008 Formula D season kicked off in Long Beach on April 12; you can follow Gushi and the rest of the competition at formulad.com.