Paris show: Third Mazda6 teaser emerges

MAZDA has issued a third teaser video for the upcoming Mazda6 mid-sizer that will make its public world debut at the Paris motor show in September, this time showing small sections of the car’s rear.

Whereas the first two videos revealed that front-end styling of the new Six will remain faithful to the Takeri concept first seen at last November’s Tokyo Motor Show, Mazda has clearly softened the show car’s rear for production.

The Takeri’s blade-sharp tail-lights have been replaced by items with rounder edges that resemble a slimline evolution of the current model’s units.

Although the horizontal crease spearing from the rear clusters toward the wheel arches remains, the concept’s heavily-creased rear three-quarter panel swage line has been tamed down.

Compared with the Takeri’s heavily-sculpted boot-lid with integrated spoiler and shut-lines following the shape of its haunches, the production Mazda6 will feature a subtler rear deck with flush shut-lines and a convex rather than concave rear fascia.

Replacing the concept’s chrome, flush-fitting door handles are conventional items and a fuel filler cap has also appeared on the left flank.

Closely matching the concept is the body colour used in the teaser images, which Mazda calls Soul Red, claimed to be created using a new paint process that can “capture both the deepness and vividness of the colour”.

Chief designer of the Mazda6 Akira Tamatani described the colour as “brilliantly vivid with a deep lustre… it's the way these two elements complement each other which produces the charm of the new Mazda6”.

“The car’s form manages to convey both a dignified tension and suppleness at the same time.”

Mazda’s first teaser video showed a close-up of the production car’s new grille and headlight design, while the second panned across the front wheelarch, ending at the door mirror.

The shape of the headlights, swoop of the front wheelarch crease into the front door panel and location of the bonnet shut line were all close to the concept.

Headlight washers appeared on the front bumper, the radiator grille appeared slightly slimmer and, of course, the Takeri’s super-slim door mirrors have been replaced by conventional units for the production version.