The New Mazda 6, Will It Work
The old Mazda 6 was a good car, but in Europe it was much more of a success than here. They never sold as well as the Accord or Camry here, partly because the engines were only 156hp for the 2.3L-4 and 210hp in the 3.0L V6. The competitors had more power, more space, better quality and cost less. The new 6 is much better. In Europe it has gotten very good reviews even with a 2.0L 4 cylinder that, with only 140hp, we aren't getting and a 140hp 2.0L 4 cylinder turbo diesel that we won't, but should get. 4.00 a gallon. The 4 cylinder car will be more than capable of being good to drive and quick enough for anything most people will want to use it for. It would be great if Mazda could bring the new 175hp 2.2L 4 cylinder turbo diesel (from their owners, Ford) here. I think this car will only be beat by the wonderful Volkswagen Passat and the Honda Accord may be better with the 190hp 2.4L EX 4 cylinder and for some luxury features. This could become the best in class car and that could only happen because, like the current best in class car (the Volkswagen Passat) it is from European markets.
The Eos is no longer offered with a manual transmission, but few buyers chose the manual to begin with, and the standard 6-speed automatic works quite well in this car. VW's Direct Shift Gearbox, or DSG, is different from a conventional automatic. It has clutches, like a manual, but they work automatically, without a clutch pedal. The advantages include a slight improvement in fuel economy compared to a conventional automatic and the ability to shift the transmission manually with almost the same range as a standard full manual. The Eos comes with paddles on the steering wheel for manual shifting, and a sequential up/down slot in the floor-mounted gear selector. As an automatic, the DSG works nicely. It's more responsive than a conventional automatic typically is with a small four-cylinder engine. Shifts are quick, and crisp, without interruption in the flow of acceleration. The transmission is authoritative in its gear selection, with no dithering as it decides whether it's time to change gears or not.
The drawback, compared to a conventional automatic, is that the DSG is not as smooth, particularly when coasting down to a stop. Still, we'd reckon that few drivers will notice the difference, and even fewer will care. Cruising with the top up, the Eos feels very much like a fixed-roof coupe: solid and rattle free. There's only a little wind noise inside, and the car is generally as quiet as the typical small coupe. With the top down, the driver might notice a bit more wobble or shimmy rippling through the body, particularly on rough roads. Still, the Eos stacks up well against other moderately priced, four-place convertibles. Volkswagen has done a great job addressing the structural limitations in an open car, without adding an inordinate amount of weight. The Eos's ride-handling balance is middle of the road, by design. The ride is quite comfortable, and only the Midwest's worst roads will upset those inside the Eos with a lot of bounce, shake or noise, even with the top down. We like the steering feel, too.
It's responsive enough, with decent feedback through the steering wheel and the right amount of boost or power assist for the speed traveled. All Eos models include electronic stability control (ESC), which helps manage potential skids by braking certain wheels individually or cutting power. It was effective on a low-friction dirt road, and unobtrusive in its operation. And the brakes are more than adequate. The pedal is a bit softer than we'd like, but with familiarity any driver can muster quick, smooth stops. The Eos Komfort and Eos Lux are not sporting in feel, but both deliver sure, predictable handling, and both can be good fun to drive. The Eos Executive model, with lower-profile tires and a firmer suspension, is more responsive. The Eos Executive leans and sways a little less in aggressive maneuvers, but there's a payback. With its firmer suspension, the Executive transfers more energy up through the body on rough roads, and it emphasizes the convertible's flex when the top is down. With the top up, the Eos has minor visibility issues.
