Press Release
Mazda Launches Fully Redesigned Atenza
- The all-new Mazda Atenza delivers advanced environmental and safety features coupled with superb high speed stability and comfort -
HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has announced the launch of the fully remodeled Mazda Atenza (known as the all-new Mazda6 overseas) in Japan. Available in three body styles - Sedan, Sport (5-door hatchback), and Sport Wagon - Mazda’s globally acclaimed mid-size car goes on sale from today at all Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealerships throughout Japan.
Developed in line with Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom evolution concept, the all-new Mazda Atenza’s design theme is “Bold & Exquisite.” The exterior look expresses a combination of athleticism and delicate grace in all three body styles. Sporty and sophisticated interior design creates an environment in which drivers can experience real driving pleasure, comfort and a feeling of security.
Launched in Japan in May 2002, the first generation Atenza combined unique and attractive styling with exceptional driving performance. Now, the second generation model takes these characteristics one step further through substantially enhanced environmental and safety performance. With top class aerodynamics, it features improved high speed stability, ride quality and quietness, providing enhanced comfort levels worthy of the “ultimate high speed long-distance touring car.”
Mazda’s newly developed MZR 2.5-liter in-line four-cylinder engine, mated to five-speed and six-speed automatic transmissions which are newly combined with Active Adaptive Shift (AAS) control*1, further evolve the exceptional driving dynamics that were highly acclaimed on the first Atenza. The all-new Atenza is larger than its predecessor, but increased use of high tensile steel has helped reduce the overall vehicle weight. In combination with the top-class aerodynamics, this contributes to improved fuel economy. To lower running costs, the use of regular gasoline is now recommended for all model grades.
Safety features on the all-new Mazda Atenza include Japan’s first rear vehicle monitoring system. When driving at speeds over 60 kilometers per hour, this system uses radar to detect vehicles approaching from behind and alerts the driver. Another new feature is CF-Net (Cross Functional Network) functionality, a combination of switches on the steering wheel with a centralized display at the top of the instrument panel, which provide simple control of all systems, including air conditioning and audio. This helps the driver focus on the road and reduces hand movement away from the steering wheel. Other safety attributes include Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Mazda’s Traction Control System (TCS) as standard equipment on all the 2.5-liter model grades. Mazda’s enhanced safety equipment and functionality promote safe and comfortable driving.
Manufacturer’s suggested retail prices range from 2,070,000 to 2,500,000 yen for the all-new Mazda Atenza Sedan, 2,280,000 to 2,670,000 yen for the Sport version, and from 2,200,000 to 2,670,000 yen for the Sport Wagon model (all prices include consumption tax).
*1: Active Adaptive Shift control: This feature has a slope control function that assesses both the gradient and winding of a road as well as driver intentions such as acceleration and brake operation to automatically select the optimal gear.
Main features of the all-new Atenza
1. Design: Sporty and dignified
The design theme for the all-new Mazda Atenza is “Bold & Exquisite.” The design is bold and adventurous, with an exquisite elegance based on Japanese aesthetics. Maintaining Mazda’s traditional athletic look, but with augmented driving dynamism, the new Atenza’s design leaves a stylish impression of refined sophistication and dignified class.
Exterior
The new Atenza Sedan has an arched roof with distinctive, elegant lines. The flowing side silhouette adds a spirited quality to the Sport model, while the Sport Wagon attracts the eye with its stretched rear section. All three body styles have their own distinctive attractions.
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The outgoing model’s athletic impression rendered by its round, prominent wheel arches and short overhang is preserved, while tension and dynamism are expressed in the all-new Atenza through the smooth, curved surfaces of the fenders contrasted with the sharper edges that define the bonnet.
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The all-new Atenza’s new front end design features headlights with a subtle, modern flair, a larger five-point grille, expanded lower air intakes and vertical-type fog lamps.
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Viewed from the side, the flowing roofline and bodyline stimulate a sense of flow toward the rear. The large rear combination brake lights wrap the rear body corner edges for a premium feel.
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Six colors are newly available, including Lilac Silver Metallic, which was developed exclusively for the all-new Atenza. A total of 11 body colors are available for customers to choose from.
Interior
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A sportier, highly sophisticated interior design was sought. To communicate sportiness, Mazda designers focused on a cockpit-like driving environment predicated on driving pleasure and build quality, to provide a driving position with better visibility, operability and ample legroom.
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The dashboard and door trim design combines gentle surfaces and mechanical sharpness. From the passengers’ seats the arch-shaped dashboard appears to be floating.
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Improved cabin quality comes from the combination of newly developed grains on the plastic surfaces, the use of high-quality materials and a consistent glossy finish on the interior furnishings.
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Calm White genuine leather seats are matched with the ‘Crystal’ glossy instrument panel garnish on the 25EX and 20E model grades. For the 25EX grade, a combination of black genuine leather seats with the ‘Zebra’ glossy instrument panel garnish is also available as an option.
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A fusion of sporty black half-leather seats with the ‘Line’ decorative instrument panel garnish (based on the image of a shooting-star) is available for the 25Z grade. Sporty black fabric seats with a wavy pattern are also available with the ‘Line’ garnish for the 25S grade. Modern black fabric seats with sharp patterns were combined with dark gray decorative paneling for the interior of the 25C, 25F, 20C and 20F grades.
2. Dynamic performance: Advanced high quality driving performance that allows the driver to enjoy a feeling of oneness with the vehicle
Dynamic performance, steering, brakes and handling were developed to ensure the all-new Atenza responds to the driver’s intentions with linear precision. The ride quality and quietness were also significantly improved over the previous model, for a heightened level of comfort and feeling of security.
Powertrains
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The all-new Atenza is equipped with Mazda’s recently developed MZR 2.5-liter engine, a step up from the previous model’s 2.3-liter version. By increasing torque at all engine speeds, linear acceleration and precise response were achieved. With engine emissions cleaner than ever before and the recommended fuel changed to regular gasoline - previously, premium gasoline was the designated fuel for all the 2.3-liter models - the new Atenza is more environmentally-friendly and cheaper to run. The highly acclaimed MZR 2.0-liter engine is also available.
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Electrically controlled five-speed and six-speed automatic (Activematic) transmissions are fitted with the Active Adaptive Shift (AAS) system that is also featured on the Mazda RX-8. This setup delivers a linear and agile ride by selecting the optimal gear for the particular driving condition. An advanced six-speed manual transmission is equipped on the 25Z and 25S grades of the Atenza Sport and Sport Wagon.
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Mazda’s electrically-controlled Active Torque Split All-Wheel-Drive system is equipped on the four-wheel-drive models. Torque transfer is optimized for the front and rear axle in accordance with changing road surfaces and driving conditions.
Chassis/body
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The shapes of the door mirrors, front bumper corners, rear combination lights and undercover were optimized for improved aerodynamics. On the FWD grades with the 2.5-liter engine, a horseshoe-shaped deflector is fitted to control the air flow under the floor. The changes resulted in top-class Cd values (0.27 for the Sedan and Sport and 0.28 for the Sport Wagon).
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The front high-mount double wishbone and rear E-type multi-link suspension arrangements produce a secure driving feel with outstanding straight-line stability and responsiveness in all driving conditions.
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Rack drive power steering is adopted for the FWD models and delivers optimal assistance at all speeds.
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The use of high tensile steel was expanded to reduce the vehicle’s bodyweight in order to improve driving dynamics and fuel economy. Flexural rigidity was improved by about 45 percent and torsional rigidity by approximately 30 percent (in all Sport grades).
Quietness
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By using a dual mass damper pulley and flexible flywheel design (for the six-speed MT), the engine noise when accelerating was significantly improved (for all the 2.5-liter models).
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The designs of the center floor, suspension and door seals were improved to enhance drivability and greatly reduce road noise.
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Wind noise was reduced by optimizing the shapes of the A-pillars and door mirrors and increasing the door rigidity to improve sealing.
3. Equipment: New functionality for enhanced comfort and feeling of security
From daily journeys to high speed touring, new features and functionality support comfortable and leisurely driving and assure a “further evolution of Zoom-Zoom.”
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The Cross Functional-Network (CF-Net) system is a newly installed feature. Switches on the steering wheel enable control of all systems, such as audio, air conditioning and the trip computer. A center display showing related information is located in the upper instrument panel to help reduce driver eye movement away from the road. The system is easy to understand and operate because the display structure was intuitively aligned with the switch layout for enhanced user-friendliness.
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A fully automatic air conditioner with a pollen filter is equipped in the all-new Mazda Atenza. It features improved cooling/heating capacity, air volume and quietness. Temperature can be independently adjusted from the driver’s seat and front passenger’s seat.
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The Bose® sound system with eight speakers was exclusively developed for the Atenza. It delivers clear and dynamic sound to all occupants in the cabin. It is equipped with Bose’s original driving noise compensation system, AudioPilot.TM (Available for all grades except the 20F and 25C as a factory-installed set option.)
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The 40GB HDD satellite navigation system with a 7-inch display enhances user-friendliness with its speech recognition feature. It includes a Bluetooth® hands-free system that can be controlled by voice commands or switches embedded in the steering wheel. It is compatible with Mazda’s G-BOOK Alpha system (available as factory-installed set option on all models).
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The driver can start and stop the engine by pushing a button. This feature can be combined with Mazda’s advanced keyless entry system for the 25EX, 25Z and 25S grades as a factory-installed set option.
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A unique illumination feature helps create a comfortable cabin space. When the driver’s door is closed, a line of lights moves from the bottom to the top of the center panel. Whenever the audio controls are used, soft blue LEDs embedded behind the switches light up in response.
4. Packaging and storage: sporty styling balanced with convenient packaging
Further evolving the functionality of the previous model, the all-new Mazda Atenza provides various user-friendly and innovative features.
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Optimized header design (where the windshield meets the roof) ensures top class forward-upward visibility. Compact rear seat headrests allow for an unobstructed rear view.
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Top class rear seat comfort was achieved by extending the rear seat leg room by 13 millimeters.
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The Sedan and Sport Wagon offer 519 liters of cargo space, and the Sport provides 510 liters. The 60:40 split rear seats allow for increased flexibility of luggage space.
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A newly developed karakuri tonneau cover automatically lifts up when the rear lift gate is opened for greatly improved convenience when loading and unloading cargo.
5. Environmental and safety features: equipment that embodies evolved Zoom-Zoom
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Mazda’s Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control System (TSC) support safe and linear driving (standard on 2.5-liter grades, available as a factory-installed set option on 2.0-liter grades).
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The all-new Atenza features Japan’s first rear vehicle monitoring system. At speeds over 60 kilometers per hour, this system detects vehicles approaching from the rear and alerts the driver (on all 25EX and 25Z and 25S FWD grades). Mazda’s Precrash Safety System detects oncoming obstacles, alerts the driver and, if necessary, automatically applies the brakes. Additionally, a motor pre-tensions the seatbelts prior to a crash to more effectively restrain the occupants (available as a factory-installed set option on 25EX, 25Z and 25S FWD grades with automatic transmissions).
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Mazda’s Radar Cruise Control System uses a radar sensor to measure the speed and distance of the vehicle in front and automatically controls acceleration and deceleration to maintain a preset distance (available as a factory-installed set option on 25EX, 25Z and 25S FWD grades with automatic transmissions).
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The adaptive front lighting system (AFS) with bi-xenon headlights dramatically improves nighttime visibility (standard on Sport and Sport Wagon 25EX and 25Z grades and available as a factory-installed set option on all other grades except 25C and 20F).
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Parking sensor: A total of eight ultrasonic sensors in the front and rear bumpers sense the distance to obstacles from the corners of the car and deliver a series of audible beeps to help the driver park in tight spaces (available as a factory-installed set option on all grades except 25C and 20F).
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Front Seat Active Headrests are installed on a Mazda vehicle for the first time. The headrests reduce the risk of neck injuries in the event of a rear end collision.
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The all-new Atenza boasts top class aerodynamics, reduced roll resistance and is equipped with electric power steering (FWD grades) and LED brake lights. It delivers significantly improved performance and safety as well as a two percent improvement in fuel economy even though it is larger than the outgoing model.
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While engine size has increased, the all-new Atenza’s exhaust emissions are as clean as ever (FWD grades achieve exhaust emissions that are 75 percent or lower than the levels required by the Japanese government’s 2005 exhaust emissions regulations. All 4WD grades achieve exhaust emissions that are 50 percent or lower than the regulations.)
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By using polypropylene (PP) and other reusable materials in a variety of parts, the all-new Atenza is over 90 percent*2 recyclable.
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Materials with low proportions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) are used for interior resins, paints and adhesives. Proportions are less than those stipulated in guidelines set by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
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Calculations for new car recyclability are based on 1998 industry guidelines.
Nikkan Kogyo wrote that Mazda is planning to discontinue production of the Mazda6 at the Flat Rock, Michigan plant, which it operates as a joint venture together with Ford Motor Co., as sales missed expectations. When Mazda introduce the latest generation of the mid-size model in 2008, the company expected an annual production of around 100,000 units, but last year, the plant churned out just 45,168 Mazda6s. In April, Mazda6 posted an increase of 7.8 percent but sales reached just 2,734 vehicles.
