It’s been twenty years since the Mazda Atenza kicked off the story of the Mazda 6 back in 2002
Released with the now iconic tagline “Zoom-Zoom”, the Mazda 6 was an instant success with drivers.
Known elsewhere as the Atenza, the Mazda 6 had won over 20 awards across multiple countries and
regions by the end of the first year of release.
It gained popularity due to its clean, sporty look and responsive handling. This pretty much cemented
the Mazda 6’s popularity with Australian drivers. Mazda would take things even further by later adding
turbocharged power as well as computer-controlled all-wheel drive with the release of the Mazda 6
MPS.
This new model offers a bunch of new features and upped the driving experience even more. It was
especially praised for its impressive 190kW power rating as well as its excellent driving dynamics. By the
beginning of 2008, more than 70,000 gen-one Mazda 6 models had been sold in Australia.
It was then that Mazda unveiled the second generation of the Mazda 6. It hit the Australian car market
in 2008 and brought enhanced styling and handling as well as a souped-up 2.5-liter engine. It was
released as a sedan, hatch, and wagon, and delighted drivers with the extra power and torque.
The second-generation Mazda 6 also introduced linear electric power steering; an innovation of
technology found in the Mazda RX-8. It also came out in a larger range of body styles, making it suitable
for a wider variety of lifestyles and driving scenarios.
This model had sold over 35,000 units in Australia by November 2012. The sedan model was the big
seller, as total sales would eventually sum up to around a 70:30 split between the sedan and wagon
models.
By the end of 2008, Mazda was already gearing up for the release of the third-generation Mazda 6. It
was packed to the brim full of new features including the intelligent Skyactiv technologies. It was only
the second Mazda model released showcasing the company’s new Kodo-Soul of Motion design
language.
The third generation was released in the now famous Soul Red Crystal Metallic exterior colour. It was
the first of the recognizable Takuminuri paint finishes. Another new addition was the i-Activesense
safety technology.
The engine in the third generation also saw a slight upgrade and featured a 2.5 litre turbocharged
Skyactiv-G petrol engine. This offered even more power than the previous models and quickly become
the go-to choice for Australian drivers.
The third-generation Mazda 6 is still dominating the Australian market today and features a big round of
updates and upgrades released in 2018. The Mazda 6 was the second best-selling new car model in
Australia every year from 2003-2007.
To celebrate the 20 th anniversary of the Mazda 6, an anniversary edition is being released. Powered by a
173kW Skyactiv-G 2.5 turbocharged petrol engine, it is primed to be one of the best models of the
Mazda 6 ever released.
The upgraded engine features an in-line 4-cylinder 16-valve DOHC S-VT and a maximum power of 4250
RPM. It can also be purchased with a less powerful version of the engine that is still capable of
outputting a satisfying driving experience. It will also introduce technology upgrades including a 360-
view monitor, which will allow for easier reversal and an enhanced exterior view.
The sound system has also seen an upgrade in the new anniversary edition of the Mazda 6. Now
included is a full surround system of high-quality BOSE speakers so driers can become immersed in
amazing audio quality.
The active driving display makes a return in the anniversary edition and keeps all of the most important
information in the driver’s line of sight. Heated seats are also another big selling point and are available
on GT SP models and above. As with many of the latest Mazda vehicles, MZD Connect with Apple Car
Play is included for easy device connectivity.
The LCD information display has also been updated with improved clarity and color saturation. Some of
the biggest improvements coming to the anniversary model of the Mazda 6 are in the safety
department. Mazda has always been committed to a safe driving experience and the anniversary edition
is set to feature some major upgrades.
This includes Smart City Brake Support with pedestrian recognition that monitors the vehicle in front to
assess the likelihood of a collision when traveling. If a high collision risk is detected, the system will warn
the driver and brake automatically when needed.
This coupled with the Lane Departure Warning with lane-keep assist systems that monitor the road
markings and alerts driver’s when they are out of their lane, the Mazda 6 is one of the safest Mazda
vehicles yet.
On top of that, the anniversary edition is equipped with Adaptive LED Headlamps that individually
control a number of LEDs to broaden visibility at lower speeds. This helps to avoid blinding other drivers
using high beams and extends overall vision at highway speeds.
This anniversary model is not coming to the US and is releasing exclusively in Australia and Japan.
Releases will start early 2023 and pricing will be announced closer to release. There will likely be several
financing options available.
Keep in mind that the anniversary edition of the Mazda 6 is a limited-edition vehicle. This means that it will
likely be off the market after some time so picking one up early is essential. So if you are after one of the most
popular vehicles in Australia, be on the lookout for the release of the anniversary edition of the Mazda 6
If you are interested in purchasing the new anniversary edition of the Mazda 6, then contact us at
Redlands Mazda today for the latest news regarding the release and to discuss financing options. If the
past releases of the Mazda 6 are any indicator, the anniversary edition is set to be one of the most
popular releases ever.