Mazda6

The C/D-segment car leads Mazda's new product offensive, to be followed by the Fiesta-based Mazda2/Demio, RX-8 sports car, and Protégé replacement.

Within a year, Mazda will have four new platforms for passenger cars and derivative models. It has already introduced two core car models-the mid-size C/D-segment Mazda6/Atenza and the small B-segment Mazda2/Demio-after almost a year's drought of new models. The Hiroshima-based company is fast updating its powertrains, including two recently introduced inline four-cylinder engine series. The preceding engines, the series F and B inline fours, each had over a decade-and-a-half's worth of vehicle duty. Added to these two new engines is a thoroughly revamped common-rail diesel in the Mazda6, which has been given a favorable initial reception in the competitive European market.

Mazda will have another all new platform: a sports car architecture that will launch the extraordinary rotary-powered RX-8 in spring 2003. The RENESIS rotary inherits the basic trochoid geometry and rotor dimensions, but has a few carryover components form its turbocharged predecessor. Next in line will be the Protege replacement-most likely to be renamed Mazda3-on the global compact C-platform.