Fizzboy7

I don't think anyone drives with hands at 10 and 2. Most people have their hands down low on the wheel, resting between the spokes. I don't see a problem with the four-spoke wheels here. For reference, the above A8 pic is of the out-going model. The new model has a redesigned four-spoke wheel, and it's lower spokes have been moved higher up. Most full-sized sedans in this class still use four-spoke wheels. The redesigned A8 also added important and ergonomic touch information in the giant hole left alone on the outgoing model and with the new Mazda 6.

Tamy913

That hp and torque on a 3250lbs car should make it a fun car to drive around.. compared to an is200t for example which is heavier and has much less torque.

joedaddy1

iTrader: (1)

this sounds weirdddd.. but if not 10 and 2, where?

I am more of 9:15 and 2:45 kinda guy... maybe 9 and 3

I definitely am not 6 o'clock or noon guy though... too gansta.

Sulu

Fixed it for you.

pman6

torque steer will be interesting indeed

i wonder if front wheel burnouts will be possible

JDR76

I wonder what the torque will be. Maybe detuned a bit to help with torque steer.

KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

It's great news for the Mazda 6! Hope they offer it with a 6-speed manual trim level. I can wish for a mechanical LSD and summer tire option package to go with it. Doubtful on the LSD but that and a manual transmission with the turbo would be perfect and one up the Accord 2.0T 6-speed M/T.

Vladi

No manual on top trim unfortunately.

peteharvey

Manual gearboxes have been superseded by dual clutch autos, similar to those used in Formula 1 racing, because DCT's are presently the quickest transmissions on the planet with gear changes in just 8 millisecods.

However, DCT's have not replaced the torque converter with epicyclic gears, because like anything, DCT's have their share of issues including wet multiplate clutch pack slippage, overheating, burning, wear & reliability issues - at low speeds as the vehicle creeps/crawls.

DCT's will hunt, clunk & shudder.
DCT's will lurch during parking, making inch maneuvers impossible.

However, DCT's are great for F1 racing & hi end sports cars.
.

IS350jet

No need to worry about high torque in Mazda's FWD layout. As in their MazdaSpeed series cars, they will electronically squash HP and torque in the lower gears making them more manageable to drive. Ridiculous antics, if you ask me. Make the car RWD/AWD or just don't do it.

MattyG

Very true. Unfortunately this is where the limitations of a platform start to show up. The Mazda sedan/suv line is FWD/transverse engine layout which is a comprise when it comes to pumping up engine power. Audi used longitudinal drive trains for this very reason in its sedan/suv lineup with permanently engaged AWD (although this is changing with just longitudinal FWD and slip/grip no center differential on the entry level cars).

The MazdaSpeed 3 for eg. has torque steer issues because it's just so much power in such a light car. The MazdaSpeed 6 mitigated that with AWD but that too was FWD until the car's brain decided to start splitting the torque. Those cars were basically transverse engine layout and slip/grip tech to divide the torque.

I think they'll just cut down on the torque for the 6 in this application but at least it's much better than just a 4 cylinder with no other options as it stands now.

Sulu

What is the use then of putting in an engine with that much power, if you cannot use it or the automaker does not let you use it?

mmarshall

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

perhaps you've never driven a golf gti or golf r with dct (dsg) because it exhibits NONE of those issues.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

while the mazda 6 is a nice looking car, it's still a fwd car, so putting a more powerful engine in it isn't all that great without front lsd or awd, etc.