After driving several SUVs and electric cars in recent weeks, it was good to get behind the wheel of an old-fashioned saloon car last week. But not just any saloon – it was the 100th Anniversary Edition of the Mazda 6.
Mazda celebrated their centenary last year, but we were all in Lockdown back then and there very few celebrations in this part of the world. From its origins in 1920 as a Hiroshima cork producer, Mazda has become one of the world’s most innovative car manufacturers.
The company was founded in Japan in 1920 and the name Mazda was first introduced in 1931 when Mazda, then called the Toyo Kogyo Company, launched the’ Mazda-go’ a tricycle truck. The Mazda R3670 Coupe, launched in 1960, was Mazda’s first actual passenger car.
My test car came in Snowflake White which was very impressive. The weather was dry last week, but it might be difficult to keep a colour like that clean when the mucky days will, no doubt, return.
The car is beautiful to look and so comfortable to travel in. Naturally it will be an attractive option for large families and I think the Mazda 6 should also be an attractive for business people, who want a bit of comfort on long journeys and might also like to impress their colleagues.
The limited-run Mazda 6 Saloon 100th Anniversary Edition comes with a 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G petrol engine, which is mated to Mazda’s six-speed automatic transmission as standard.
Inside the cabin is very bright, thanks to a is a nice touch of cream the dash and doors. But the dominant interior colour is the burgundy on the seats. The floor mats are also red/burgundy.
It’s set very low, but no trouble getting in and out. For me it certainly was a big change from the big chunky SUVs that I have been driving in recent months. The drive is very relaxing and all the controls on the dash are at your fingertips and you also have slave controls on the steering wheel.
Like other Mazda cars the first thing you notice when you start the engine is the heads-up display directly in your line of vision over the steering wheel. For me that’s always a warning that there are speed cameras out there and that 120km/h is a limit, not a target.
The boot is massive and although I am not a golfer, I can see how people who play golf or need to carry a lot of sport equipment would love the large boot in the Mazda 6. Skoda’s Octavia and Super are famous for their huge boot, but this one is just at big. Sadly no spare wheel.
Prices for the Mazda 6 start at €34,170, with the special 100th anniversary edition starting at €47,695. Road tax is steep at €420. You will never forget that Mazda is 100 years old as the key fob is embedded with the 100-year logo.
It’s good to see that there is still a market for a car like Mazda’s executive saloon, despite the big push towards SUV’s in recent years. My family really appreciated the luxury it provided. Great on long journeys, but a bit thirsty in urban driving.
