2014 Mazda6 Takes On Luxury Models for World Car Design of the Year

Baltimore, 03/20/2013 / SubmitMyPR /

Mazda took a risk by making only minimal changes to its bold TAKERI Concept before launching it as the redesigned 2014 Mazda6, and that gamble has helped make the sedan a finalist for 2013 World Car Design of the Year. Competing against the Aston Martin Vanquish and the Jaguar F-Type, the Mazda6 was chosen after five international design experts helped 66 automotive journalists decide on the candidates. The winner will be announced on March 28 at the New York International Auto Show.

Donning Mazda's KODO, or "Soul of Motion," design language, the 2014 Mazda6 features muscular-looking sheet metal with strong lines inspired by the movement of animals in the wild. Stretched headlights lead into a curving stroke over the front fenders, while a high beltline and sloping roofline create a sense of motion. Under the hood, the Mazda6 sports a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine that returns best-in-class fuel economy of 38 mpg highway, while an even more fuel-efficient diesel powerplant will be available in the second half of this year.

"Unlike most of the midsize segment, which is full of conservative designs, the Mazda6 brings engaging, world-class style to the table, so drivers feel like they're in a much more expensive car," said Greg Ryland, general manager of Russel Mazda, a Mazda dealership in Baltimore, MD. "The Mazda6 is competing against high-end luxury vehicles for the World Car Design of the Year award, which says a lot about how big of a statement its fresh and inspiring looks can make."

Though Mazda's designers took an aggressive approach when styling the new Mazda6, they remained cautious when it came to crash protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently gave the 2014 Mazda6 its Top Safety Pick+ designation, the organization's highest possible crash-test ranking. With six standard airbags and a SKYACTIV-Chassis made of 58 percent high-tensile steel, the vehicle is built for optimum protection during impacts, but tech options like a Blind Spot Monitoring system and Rear Cross Traffic Alert can help prevent those accidents from happening in the first place.

The Mazda6 earned its Top Safety Pick+ by receiving top ratings of "good" in the IIHS' frontal moderate overlap, side, roof and head-restraint tests, as well as an "acceptable" rating in the new small frontal overlap test. Introduced last year, the small frontal overlap test was designed to replicate crashes where the front corner of a vehicle strikes an object like a tree or utility pole, an accident type that accounts for nearly a quarter of serious or fatal injuries for front-seat occupants during frontal impacts. In the test, 25 percent of the front end of a vehicle strikes a barrier on the driver's side at a speed of 40 mph.

"While sporty designs are an integral part of the Mazda brand, those designs never jeopardize the safety of passengers in any way," added Ryland. "The new Mazda6 fires on all cylinders, whether you're looking at its safety and style that have earned national and international recognition, or its class-leading fuel economy that saves commuters money each week."

About Russel Mazda:
A respected Baltimore, Maryland Mazda dealer for many years, Russel Mazda strives to provide nothing but the best Mazda buying experiences, one family at a time. Their wide inventory of new and pre-owned Mazda models is backed up with stellar customer service that is sincere, informative and hassle-free. Russel Mazda also provides top-notch automotive service performed by factory-trained and certified technicians with genuine Mazda parts. Browse their entire inventory online at www.russelmazda.com or in person at 6624 B Baltimore National Pike in Baltimore. They can also be contacted by phone at 866-851-5047 or found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RusselMazda.