Mazda6 GT SP revealed -

[AVANTI R5]

Mazda6 GT SP revealed -
Prices up across Mazda’s mid-size sedan and wagon range as GT SP adds sportier flavour

Mazda has created a sporty new Mazda6 GT SP variant as the headline act of a 2021 upgrade for the Japanese brand’s mid-size sedan and wagon range.

Arriving in Australia from March 2021, the new Mazda6 GT SP essentially replaces the Mazda6 GT and gains a variety of sports-oriented features including metallic black 19-inch alloy wheels and black mirror caps, red leather seat upholstery and exposed red stitching for the inside door panels and around the instrument panel.



It also carries extra brightwork for the door handles, around the air vents and along the instrument panel, while front and rear seat heating is also included.

As sales of mid-size passenger cars continue to dwindle in Australia, the segment slumping a further 22 per cent in 2020, and with the current third-generation Mazda6 (launched in 2012) showing some grey hairs, the car-maker is hoping the sporty new GT SP will rekindle interest.

Sales of the Mazda6 dropped by 34 per cent to 1727 units in 2020, placing it third in the segment behind the Skoda Octavia (2111) and the dominant, fleet-friendly Toyota Camry (13,727).

The current Mazda6 will soldier on for the time being, but Mazda is currently developing a more luxurious version of the car to compete with BMW and Audi luxury sedans, complete with rear-wheel drive and a new inline six-cylinder engine that could belt out up to 260kW.


Apart from all models in the Mazda6 range now offered with Polymetal Grey metallic exterior paint, there are no other changes to the range, except for price rises of between $100 and $700.

The two carryover 2.5-litre petrol engines continue to power the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.

Entry-level Mazda6 Sport and Touring models are paired with the naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (140kW/252Nm) with claimed fuel economy of 7.0L/100km.

The new Mazda6 GT SP and range-topping Atenza get the more potent 2.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder (170kW/420Nm) with claimed fuel consumption of 7.6L/100km.

The latter two variants also now feature new ‘turbo’ exterior badges.

Entry-level model grades are fitted as standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights/tail-lights, power-adjustable and heated wing mirrors, dual-zone climate-control air-conditioning with rear vents, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity via an 8.0-inch colour touch-screen display.

Cloth seats, an electric park brake with auto hold and leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shifter are also standard, as are steering wheel-mounted paddle gear shifters.


Standard safety features include lane keep assist, radar cruise control with stop and go traffic function, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, automatic high beam control, rear parking sensors, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and traffic sign (speed limit) recognition.

Step up to the Touring model and LED daytime running lights are added along with power-adjustable front seats, black leather upholstery, front parking sensors and advanced keyless entry.

As well as the aforementioned items, the Mazda6 GT SP adds adaptive front headlights, while the top-shelf luxury Atenza model gains a sunroof, ventilated front seats and the choice of Walnut brown or Pure white Nappa leather upholstery.

It also adds a 7.0-inch central digital instrument display, ambient LED interior lighting, frameless rear-view mirror, timber door and dash trim inserts, a 360-degree surround view parking monitor and a heated steering wheel.

How much does the 2021 Mazda6 cost?
Sport sedan – $34,590 (+$100)
Sport wagon – $35,890 (+$100)
Touring sedan – $38,890 (+$200)
Touring wagon – $40,190 (+$200)
GT SP sedan – $46,690 (+$700)
GT SP wagon – $47,990 (+$700)
Atenza sedan – $50,090 (+$200)
Atenza wagon – $51,390 (+$200)
* Prices exclude on-road costs

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[JP Chestnut]

That looks a lot nicer than the Mazda3. Mazda makes some nice looking cars, but I wish there was a little more "zoom zoom" to current Mazdas.

[oichan]

Meh, still looks weird. They need to hire new designers, their design language sucks.

[Stanley]

I'd buy that wagon.

[Dex]

The wagon looks fantastic. Put Mazda's upcoming six in there longitudinally and rwd it! Pipe dream, I know.

[subyski]

I would take the wagon in AWD.

[deanstevenson]

That wagon is just so, so nice.

[dwf137]

I like wagons, and this looks good for what it is, way better than the sedan, but I generally don't like Mazda's design language.

[Stanley]

Originally Posted by dwf137

I like wagons, and this looks good for what it is, way better than the sedan, but I generally don't like Mazda's design language.

I don't either, but it's better than Subaru's!


Mazda's drive nice, that's why I like them.

[subyski]

Didn't realize Mazda's design language is not liked. I like it a lot.

[Stanley]

I actually really like the new Miata. Not the biggest fan of their swoopy lines and super long hoods, though. But again, I bought a Subaru so I clearly don't care that much about how my car looks. I liked my WRX because it could take me to the snow with a stick shift.

[heavyD]

Current Mazda designers are clean and uncluttered. It's the overly long hoodline that makes all their cars look unproportioned.

[Sid03SVT]

Originally Posted by Dex

The wagon looks fantastic. Put Mazda's upcoming six in there longitudinally and rwd it! Pipe dream, I know.

Seconded; 6mt and LSD please.

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by Sid03SVT

Seconded; 6mt and LSD please.

That would be like a modern E34 M5. I'm sure it wouldn't sell in large numbers, but it would be great for the three years they sold it for.

[Sid03SVT]

Originally Posted by JP Chestnut

That would be like a modern E34 M5. I'm sure it wouldn't sell in large numbers, but it would be great for the three years they sold it for.

I'd even take a Mazda 3 wagon with the I4 out of the ND2 Miata with a 6mt and LSD, if they could keep the weight down.

It really sucks that 3,000lbs is "light" for a 4 banger car now, especially considering I managed that with a Fox body with that massive glass hatch, no HSS in the chasiss and, oh yeah, a V8 with an IRON BLOCK AND HEADS (heads went aluminum, but I still got down to 3k pounds before they did).

I need to learn to weld aluminum... for reasons...

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by Sid03SVT

I'd even take a Mazda 3 wagon with the I4 out of the ND2 Miata with a 6mt and LSD, if they could keep the weight down.

It really sucks that 3,000lbs is "light" for a 4 banger car now, especially considering I managed that with a Fox body with that massive glass hatch, no HSS in the chasiss and, oh yeah, a V8 with an IRON BLOCK AND HEADS (heads went aluminum, but I still got down to 3k pounds before they did).

I need to learn to weld aluminum... for reasons...

What I'm really hopeful for is a turbo version of that nice new Miata I4. That engine has a very nice power delivery and would make a great base for something more powerful.

[Sid03SVT]

Originally Posted by JP Chestnut

What I'm really hopeful for is a turbo version of that nice new Miata I4. That engine has a very nice power delivery and would make a great base for something more powerful.

I wouldn't mind a turbo Miata coming to market either (or a turbo variant of the engine making it's way into other vehicles), although I'm not inclined that Mazda would build an engine like that.

Also just for clarity, the Mazda3 example I mentioned above was a longitudinal/RWD platform; I don't want FF, I just don't have fun with them.

[dwf137]

Originally Posted by Stanley

I don't either, but it's better than Subaru's!

I'd drive Subaru's only wagon, if I could buy one.

[AVANTI R5]

Originally Posted by subyski

Didn't realize Mazda's design language is not liked. I like it a lot.

Me too. They look a lot better then everything else out there Asian.

[left footed whooten]

Yeah, that wagon looks real nice. I think mazdas styling is looking good.

[YungBoba]

Looks real nice in both sedan and wagon. The wagon looks way better than the Mazda3 hatch because it doesn't suffer from that horrible C-pillar design that gave the 3 terrible visibility. The body lines are also more defined, whereas the 3 looked nice from the front but totally flat and uninspired from the side/rear views.

[neg_matnik]

Originally Posted by YungBoba

Looks real nice in both sedan and wagon. The wagon looks way better than the Mazda3 hatch because it doesn't suffer from that horrible C-pillar design that gave the 3 terrible visibility. The body lines are also more defined, whereas the 3 looked nice from the front but totally flat and uninspired from the side/rear views.

I found that the 3 looks much better in-person ("polymetal gray" FTW) than in pics for some reasons.
The Turbo 3 I test drove does have blind sport detection/monitoring to help out.
But, no doubt, I'd get that 6 Turbo wagon over a 3 Turbo hatchback in a heartbeat.

[Arcanum_STI]

I used to own a 2018 Mazda 6 2.5 Turbo Grand Touring Reserve. I bought the car brand new back in 2018. After 1.5 years I traded it for my new 2019 STI. It was really quick for a family-sedan especially with 310TQ.

[YungBoba]

Originally Posted by neg_matnik

I found that the 3 looks much better in-person ("polymetal gray" FTW) than in pics for some reasons.
The Turbo 3 I test drove does have blind sport detection/monitoring to help out.
But, no doubt, I'd get that 6 Turbo wagon over a 3 Turbo hatchback in a heartbeat.

I've seen a few 3 hatches in person, although admittedly not in polymetal gray. I do like them in white and red but still can't get over the rear quarter view. It is interesting to see Mazda's design language go for a more mature look compared to the first and second gen Mazda 3 hatches which had the typical "LOOK AT MEEEE" Mazda smile on the front grill

Wish they would make a MazdaSpeed 6 again (or an MS6 wagon!) but the numbers probably aren't there for them. The original MS6 didn't seem to be a very popular car.

[subyski]

I like the exterior rear quarter view on the 3 hatch but really don't like how the rear interior feels claustrophobic.