What's all this about?
Two of the bigger models of the Mazda fleet, the 6 and the CX-5, are receiving some upgrades for 2015, with the improved new versions due to get their European debut at the Geneva Show in March.
How has Mazda improved them?
New technology is stuffed into both, such as Adaptive LED Headlights (which dim individual LED bulbs to prevent dazzling oncoming drivers with the main beams), Blind Spot Monitoring, Smart City Brake Support Forward/Reverse, Rear Cross Traffic Alerts, Lane Keep Assist System and Driver Attention Alerts. The CX-5 also gets Smart Brake Support and Mazda Radar Cruise Control, which the European 6 already benefits from.
Do they get new drivetrains?
Yes, the Mazda6 2.2 Skyactiv-D estate can now be had with all-wheel drive, while the CX-5 can be optioned with a 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G petrol engine with i-Eloop (Mazda's brake energy regeneration system) and a driving mode selection function. Meanwhile, suspension tweaks and advanced sound insulation promise improved ride comfort and a quieter cabin.
Is that all Mazda has done?
No, the heads-up cabin design, introduced on the Mazda3, is now incorporated here, with a seven-inch touchscreen display, MZD Connect smartphone connectivity and the next-generation human-machine interface (HMI). Both cars get an electronic handbrake, so the central console lever has gone, while the 6 also benefits from a proper heads-up display.
Matt Robinson - 18 Dec 2014