Mazda
Mazda's mid-size sport sedan. Mazdaspeed 6 (2006-2007). All-wheel drive, 274 horsepower turbocharged engine. Quietly competitive with M3 and S4.
The Mazda Speed6 (officially Mazdaspeed 6) is a mid-size sport sedan produced from 2006 to 2007. The Speed6 was Mazda factory performance variant of the Mazda6 sedan, with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder making 274 horsepower (factory rating). The Speed6 was unusual for the era in offering all-wheel drive (rare for non-luxury sport sedans of the time), making it a credible alternative to BMW M3 and Audi S4 cars at significantly lower pricing. The Speed6 had a relatively short production run (2006-2007 model years only). Mazda discontinued it after just two model years; the production volume was modest. The car has aged into recognized sport sedan collector territory. The Speed6 used the same MZR DISI Turbo engine as the Speed3, with revised tuning for the larger Mazda6 platform. The all-wheel drive system was sophisticated for the era, with electronically controlled differentials. The chassis tuning emphasized sport sedan dynamics rather than pure performance. Used Speed6 pricing has been moderate but climbing as the cars age into recognition. The platform has built a small but dedicated tuner community. Modified Speed6 builds (with engine tuning, suspension upgrades, larger turbo conversions) are popular. On WhipJury, Speed6 submissions are uncommon but always memorable. The combination of AWD, sport sedan body style, and turbocharged power makes the Speed6 distinctive among submissions.
MZR DISI Turbo engine (same as Speed3 with revised tuning). 274 horsepower factory rating. All-wheel drive. Six-speed manual standard. Sport-tuned suspension. The combination of AWD and sport sedan body style was unusual for non-luxury sedans of the era.
Speed6 submissions appear occasionally and reliably do well in voting. Modified examples with tuning and suspension upgrades are common. The community recognizes the Speed6 as the underrated AWD sport sedan of the mid-2000s.