The Mazda Atenza kick-started the Mazda6 story in 2002. The launch of this all-new four-door series brought with it new athletic styling and driving excitement. It also brought Mazda’s new “Zoom-Zoom” brand message, the now-famous tag-line which expresses the emotion of motion felt as a child, a feeling which was fully embodied in Mazda’s new mid-size model.

The Atenza, known as the Mazda6 in Australia, was a hit. It had won 23 awards in 16 countries and regions by the end of its first year. Described as a great-looking sports sedan with lots of zip and responsive handling, its popularity in Australia was sealed from the start.

Mazda later added turbocharged power and computer controlled all-wheel drive with the Mazda6 MPS. It offered an array of features and plenty of driving excitement. It was widely praised for its impressive 190 kW of power and excellent dynamics.

By early 2008 more than 70,000 first-generation Mazda6 sedan and hatch models had sold in Australia.

The second-generation Mazda6 arrived in Australia in February 2008. It brought enhanced styling and handling, along with a 2.5-litre engine. Introduced as a sedan, hatch and a wagon, this successor model’s extra power and torque delighted drivers, who also appreciated new features such as linear electric power steering – an evolution of the technology used on the Mazda RX-8 sports car. The new Mazda6’s range of body styles also made it suitable for a variety of lifestyles.

By November 2012 the second-generation Mazda6 range had achieved almost 37,000 sales in Australia. Total sales initially comprised an equal share of sedan and hatch but that later became a 70:30 sedan-to-wagon split.

 

The third-generation Mazda6 arrived at the end of that year. It brimmed with new intelligent Skyactiv technologies. It was the second Mazda model to showcase the company’s new Kodo-Soul of Motion design language, which it showcased to full effect by debuting Mazda’s now-famous Soul Red Crystal Metallic exterior colour, the first of the company’s instantly recognisable Takuminuri paint finishes. New i-Activesense safety technology also debuted on the third-generation Mazda6. In addition, a new 2.5-litre turbocharged Skyactiv-G petrol engine joined the powertrain line-up. This highly effective power unit offered even more choice for Australian sedan and wagon buyers, who appreciated the Mazda6’s athletic styling, exciting driving dynamics and generous mix of features and technologies.

This third-generation Mazda6 range later received a round of product updates in May 2018.

The Mazda6 was the company’s second-best-selling new-car model in Australia every year from 2003-2007. More than 144,000 examples have been sold locally since the model series’ Australian introduction in 2002.

 

Mazda is celebrating 20 years of the Mazda6 with the release of the 20^th Anniversary Edition.

Powered by a 173 kW Skyactiv-G 2.5T turbocharged petrol engine and featuring Mazda’s finely developed Skyactiv-Chassis, this new range-leading version is the ultimate expression of the Mazda6. It is available to order now.