It has taken a long time for the Mazda6 MPS to get from concept (Paris 2002) to production ready (
Paris 2004), to showroom (right now). We were one of the first journalists to get some decent time behind the wheel when we drove it in Spain.
Though in the detail the production car is remarkably true to the original concept, it doesn't excite on first appearance; it's true that the sheet metal changes from the regular
Mazda6 are quite significant, but the overall effect, certainly in isolation, is surprisingly understated. The bonnet is raised by 40mm (to incorporate the intercooler mounted atop the engine, though Mazda calls this a "power dome"); the new front bumper houses a larger air intake and fog lights; the rear bumper has been replaced too, with a more shapely diffuser-type affair and meaty dual exhaust pipes; the bumper is complemented by a discreet boot spoiler and the lights receive a darker surround.
'Discreet' is the key word here. Likely rivals to the £23,950 MPS include the Ford Mondeo ST220 (£24,300) and the new V6-engined Vauxhall Vectra VXR (£23,995), though a glimpse at either of these makes one wonder whether the same buyer will indeed place all three cars on his shortlist. The Mondeo is perhaps the closest in concept to the MPS, with a relatively restrained body kit bolted to an eminently practical family saloon, but a look at the bare numbers suggests that the ST220 could do with updating:
Ford Mondeo ST220: 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds, 249g/km, 223bhp, 6-speed manual, 3-litre V6;
Vauxhall Vectra VXR: 0-60mph in 6.6 seconds, 247g/km, 255bhp, 6-speed manual, 2.8-litre turbocharged V6;
Mazda6 MPS: 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds, 245g/km, 256bhp, 6-speed manual, 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder.
That pits the Mazda6 up against the Vectra VXR in performance terms, but the VXR is an extrovert where the MPS is the strong silent type. The VXR body kit is loud, bordering on brash. Its new 2.8-litre engine is a cracker, sounding grunty as well as producing the goods, though its front wheels has trouble containing the aforementioned goods... The Mazda6 MPS however, that's a different story.
We like to drive cars for longer, and on UK roads, to come to a proper conclusion, but the Gods at least thought they'd help us out with a bit of British weather in the Spanish mountains... In the presentation the evening before we were told how the four-wheel drive system normally funnels all power to the front wheels, with up to 50% of the engine's torque channelled to the rear under hard driving, or when the fronts lose grip. On wet and very slippery and twisty roads we found that the MPS first of all wanted to understeer, though if you hold your nerve and keep the accelerator planted once past the apex of a corner, the lack of front grip eventually tells the computer gubbins to send some power rearwards, which results in a little stab of oversteer. It happens quite quickly, though controllably, with the torque fed back to the front wheels to help pull the car straight again.
The only dry piece of tarmac we experienced was wonderfully fast, sweeping and smooth. It would seem that the MPS is at home in these conditions, with its uprated brakes coping well with high speed stops and long downhill sections. Mazda has tuned the ride for high-speed stability rather than for absorbing low-speed bumps, which was a bit of a pain in the broken concrete of the urban areas we drove through. We'll see later this year how the chassis copes with the rough and tumble of our own roads.
Standard equipment on the Mazda6 MPS is generous, including a black leather interior, stylish 18-inch alloys, Xenon headlamps, front, side and curtain airbags, electric windows, mirrors and sunroof, cruise control, steering wheel controls and a decent BOSE stereo system. The only options appear to be colour (Graphite Silver Metallic, Titanium Grey Metallic, Black Mica or Velocity Red Mica) and satellite navigation at £1,650.
At first glance, the Mazda6 MPS is good value for money, and its on-paper appeal is undeniable. We are not yet sure whether there are enough buyers out there for a sports saloon that does its best to hide its abilities, though sales targets are modest. When we drive the new MPS back in Britain we'll know whether the MPS is a sports car in a sober suit or just a quick, well-specified family saloon.
