GT5 Transcripts/Mazda6 GG


 * The Mazda Atenza was sold as the Mazda 6 outside Japan.

The Atenza, Mazda's mid-sized sedan, appeared in June 2002, a year after making its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show. The Atenza was strategically placed against its main rivals, the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, as the driver's alternative, with a taut sporty suspension and slightly smaller body. In Japan, the car was offered in three body styles: a 4-door sedan, a 5-door hatchback and a station wagon.

The car featured attractive-yet bold styling, highlighted by the company's trademark pentagonal grille. The Atenza rode on a brand new platform that saw use in Ford vehicles around the world (Mazda was partially owned by Ford at the time). It featured a sport-tuned double wishbone suspension up front and a multilink at the rear, which helped make the Atenza the best handling car in its class.

The car came equipped with two engine choices; a 2.0-liter DOHC inline-4 that produced 142 HP and a 2.3-liter DOHC inline-4 that pumped out 175 HP. The U.S. had a V6 included in the mix. They came mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission and a 5-speed manual gearbox that came later down the line. Most models were front-wheel-drive, with a few all-wheel-drive versions included in the mix. In July 2003, Mazda introduced the 23Z, a sporty model that defined the model. It came only in 5-door trim and the 2.3-liter inline-4.