TestDrive/Mazda6:Mazda's new 6 is a handsome drive, but it's missing the zoom-zoom factor, writes Conor Twomey
On the beach in front of the Carlton hotel in Cannes, people are staring. They haven't seen a body like this before; lithe and muscular and quite unlike anything that's been along the waterfront today. It's the new Mazda6.
The Passat might be the posh contender in the large family class and the Mondeo the athlete, but it's the 6 that wins the beauty contest by some margin. Not only are the proportions spot on and the stance purposefully aggressive, the detailing is superb with sophisticated, upmarket light clusters and wonderful surfacing.
Throw open a door and the interior, like the exterior, also proves to be a meaningful advance over the old cabin, with more design flair and a better layout.
The launch cars are fully loaded with Sat Nav and keyless entry, so it's difficult to assess just how the basic Irish models will fare, but first impressions are of a comfortable, ergonomically sound and solidly-made cabin.
Highlights include ritzy blue-red dials, sumptuous seats, a handsome steering wheel, clever stereo remote controls (not part of the basic executive package) and a perfect driving position.
On the negative side, there aren't as many fancy soft-touch plastics as you'll find in some rivals and it isn't quite as vast inside as a Passat or a Mondeo, but overall it's still difficult to really find anything to complain about in here.
On the move, the 6 proves to be a little disappointing - not because it does anything badly, but it doesn't live up to its zoom-zoom reputation.
There's plenty of grip, decent levels of feedback, a wonderfully precise gearbox, sharp brakes and well contained body-roll, but overall it's lacking the verve and communicative nature of the Mondeo. The tradeoff is, of course, high levels of motorway and rough-road refinement and an ability to soak up huge distances in what seems like the blink of an eye.
Of course, Mazda has some other tricks up its sleeve to ensure there's no shortage of willing customers.
Going on past records, the 6 is likely to be painlessly reliable to own with fine residuals and a long warranty.
It's also well equipped with 16-inch alloys, air conditioning, four electric windows, remote locking, heated electric mirrors, remote stereo controls and ESP as standard on the basic 1.8 Executive model.
Priced at €27,495, it doesn't have the low-low entry-level price of the Mondeo 1.6 LX or Passat 1.6 Base, but it does offer more spec, more pep and arguably more sex appeal than its workmanlike rivals.
Overall, it's handsome, well appointed and truly built to last, no question, but it lacks the fun factor of Mazda's other great products.
Factfile
Engine:1.8-litre 4-cylinder offering 120hp @ 5,500rpm and 165Nm ofr torque @ 3,500rpm.
Five-speed manual, front-wheel drive; 0-100km/h: 11.3 seconds; top speed - 200km/h
CO2:161g/km; economy- 6.8L/100km
Weight:1,280kg
Boot Capacity:519 litres
Prices: from €27,495 to €39,495
Standard equipment:Executive - 16" alloy wheels, four electric windows, heated mirrors, air conditioning, ESP, daytime running lights. Executive SE: dual-zone climate control, cruise control, remote stereo controls, leather steering wheel, six-speed gearbox. Sport: sport bodykit, 18" alloy wheels, front fog lights. Sport SE: electrically folding mirrors, automatic lights and wipers, six-CD changer, Bluetooth. Z-Sport: half-leather seats, electric driver's seat, Xenon headlamps, Bose stereo.