The third-generation Mazda6 has been around for a decade, and while it left North America after the 2021MY, the midsize model is still sold in many parts of the world. A special edition is being introduced this week to commemorate the vehicle’s 20th anniversary (the first generation was released in 2002). With 2022 rapidly approaching, the Zoom-Zoom company took its time releasing this car.
The Mazda6 20th Anniversary Edition, which has only been announced for Japan and Australia, is available in sedan and waggon body styles. Both the JDM and Australian models are available in Artisan Red or Rhodium White. Those 19-inch wheels are gleaming silver in Australia and the Land of the Rising Sun. The midsize duo receives special fender badges as well as a bright silver finish for the front grille.
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The 20th Anniversary logo is embossed on the front headrests, and Mazda has dressed up the interior with tan Nappa Leather and matte brown trim. The 6 sold in its home market comes standard with an electric sliding sunroof. The Mazda6, like the MX-5 Miata, retains the company’s previous-generation infotainment system.
The turbocharged 2.5-liter gasoline engine now produces 235 horsepower (173 kilowatts) at 4,250 rpm in Australia, and while peak torque remains unchanged at 420 Newton-meters (310 pound-feet) at 2,000 rpm, you get an extra 8 Nm (6 lb-ft) at 4,250 rpm. Mazda also improved the six-speed automatic transmission’s gear shift time and pedal response.
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The 2.2-liter turbodiesel engine has been tweaked in Japan to produce 200 hp (147 kW) at 4,000 rpm and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) at 2,000 rpm.
The Mazda6 20th Anniversary Edition will be available in Australia in early 2023, with pricing to be announced closer to the release date. Meanwhile, the Japanese launch is set for the end of this month, with the front-wheel-drive model costing $4,422,000 and the AWD model costing $4,662,900. That works out to $32,400 and $34,200, respectively, at current exchange rates.
The future of the Mazda 6 appears uncertain, as a rear-wheel-drive model based on Mazda’s new platform has already been ruled out.