Mazda lets enthusiasts down by cancelling RWD Mazda 6, focuses on SUVs
CY Foong · Mar 23, 2022 12:15 PM
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Mazda Vision Coupe concept shown
Hope is a fickle thing, especially among Malaysians and car enthusiasts. Much like the revolving door of politicians claiming to be a part of “family”, Mazda is letting some of its fans down by cancelling the next-gen Mazda 6 which was supposed to be based on Mazda’s rear-wheel-drive (RWD) Large Architecture.
Over the past two years, Japanese media have been reporting rumours that Mazda is developing the next-gen Mazda 6 and it wouldn’t just have an expected pretty face. The planned successor was reportedly an enthusiast-driven sedan with RWD and power from an inline-6, just like the good old days.
Mazda Vision Coupe shown, supposedly previewing the next-gen Mazda 6
However, as the world moved on from big performance-like sedans to high-riding, electrified SUVs, Mazda has decided to cancel any further development of the next-gen Mazda 6. This was confirmed by Mazda Europe development and engineering boss, Joachim Kunz to Autocar.
"It would be very nice… to have the FR (front-engine, rear-driven) concept and six-cylinder engine for a Mazda 6 successor or a large sports coupé. We would like to have it, but at this point in time, it's most important to sell SUVs," Kunz told the British publication.
A gaggle of Mazda's golden geese
The following remarks said by Kunz might be a bit too disheartening for car enthusiasts so this pre-empted warning might be necessary. The executive continues, “This SUV trend is continuing, and even more for Mazda. It's what's selling best.”
Mazda’s sudden decision to not continue on with the exciting prospect of a sports sedan that competes with the likes of those from BMW and Mercedes-Benz shouldn’t really come as a surprise, unfortunately. The state of sedans today is diminishing and even if Mazda could pull it off against its German rivals, will people actually buy it?
Perhaps the upcoming Mazda 6 isn’t coming to Europe and could likely be sold overseas but sadly, that won’t happen either. Drive Australia spoke to Mazda Australia marketing director Alastair Doak whose remarks are similar to Kunz; the focus will mainly lie in its four new Large Architecture SUVs.
The first of which had been launched in Europe earlier this month, the Mazda CX-60. The European-spec SUV is Mazda’s first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model with a combined output of 323 PS and 511 Nm.
For now, it is only available with rear-biased all-wheel-drive (AWD) and 6-cylinder RWD variants will be introduced later. Aside from the CX-60, Mazda also plans to launch the CX-70, CX-80, and CX-90 with odd-numbered models targeted for North America and even numbers for Europe and Japan with the rest of the world likely following suit.
The current Mazda 6 continues on for now, even though it's been on sale for a decade
Mazda intends to go premium by fighting against the established German marques with its ‘Large Group’ models. However, if that only meant SUVs, enthusiasts and fans must be taking a large L to their foreheads.
Traded advertising for a career that fits his passion for cars. Enjoys spotting cars during his free time and has a soft spot for Japanese Kei cars but drives a thirsty manual sedan.
