SKYACTIV: Chassis

SKYACTIV: Chassis

The Mazda6 rides on an innovative front strut and multi-link rear suspension...

Read more

Suspension

The Mazda6 rides on an innovative front strut and multi-link rear suspension featuring lightweight and exceptionally stiff construction with optimised linkages to aid ride comfort, enhance handling precision and boost economy.

The Mazda6 features well-engineered front and rear dampers, as well as optimised bushings for the front lower arms, which together deliver a higher degree of suppleness and ride comfort without compromising on driving dynamism and agility.

The rear multi-link layout features the best possible combination between rear suspension link positions and bushing characteristics to deliver superior rear-end grip. The raised damper mounts reduce rear suspension impacts as well as significantly reducing rear-end lift under hard braking. This advanced anti-lift geometry layout for the multi-link rear suspension, together with the increased castor angle employed at the front, bolster low-speed agility and high-speed stability.

The rear dampers themselves are inclined to better absorb vibrations, while the ultra-rigid front and rear cross members feature a novel and stiff flange-free welding technique that results in exceptionally rigid mounting points for the suspension.

The suspension mounting points are repositioned to decrease the longitudinal offset of the lower arm and lateral link attachment positions at both front and rear. This, combined with the raised position of the trailing arm bush to reduce rear suspension without stiffening the springs or dampers, and the increased caster angle of the front wheels, results in exceptional body control at all speeds.

Steering

The rack and pinion steering system in the Mazda6 features extremely efficient electric on-demand assistance. Calibrated to continuously adjust assistance and feedback according to road speed and under-tyre conditions, the steering layout has just 2.57 turns between locks from its a class-leading 14.2 gearing ratio, resulting in a tight 12-metre turning circle and exceptional agility and responsiveness at all speeds.

Brakes

The Mazda6 is equipped with a powerful and responsive all-disc hydraulic brake system, activated by a brake pedal that features a significantly shorter pedal travel stroke for enhanced driver control.

The diagonally divided dual-circuit layout features large 297mm ventilated discs up front and 278mm solid discs at the rear, backed up by the latest versions of Mazda’s Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC).

Aerodynamics

The central goal of the aerodynamicists in the Mazda6 development team was to minimise drag by ensuring the design of the floor in both the Saloon and Tourer struck the best possible balance between underfloor airflow and upper body airflow. To ensure an unimpeded flow of air beneath the car at speed, covers were used for the engine base and centre floor, while deflectors were employed on the front tyres.

The main exhaust silencer also plays a vital aerodynamic role by guiding the flow of air upwards as it exits the rear of the car. The roof angle – and D-pillar angle on the Tourer – along with the roof spoilers were also wind-tunnel optimised for minimal drag. It’s no surprise then that the Mazda6 is as sleek and aerodynamic as it looks, with the Saloon and Tourer posting drag coefficients of 0.26 and 0.28, respectively.

On this page