Performance Review: Mazda 6 Sport MZR 2.3i - [2001]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mazda 6 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mazda 6 Sport MZR 2.3i is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2001. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2001 Lamborghini Diablo GTR 6.0L V12 and the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12.This particular Mazda 6 has a 2261cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The 6 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 6's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1415 kgs (3119 lbs) this makes the Mazda 6 Sport MZR 2.3i in the same weight category as the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged or the give or take 50kg.

The Mazda 6 shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp)

In terms of power the 2261cc 16V St4 engine produces 163 bhp (121 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 153 lb-ft (207.4 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (170 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mazda 6 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1997 Mitsubishi Pajero-Shogun Evolution 3.5 V6 (140.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mazda 6.

The Mazda 6 has a Power to weight ratio of 115.1 bhp per ton and 108.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2001 6 competing with the 1997 Mitsubishi Pajero-Shogun Evolution 3.5 V6 (140.1 bhp per ton) or the 1990 Alfa-Romeo 164 3.0 V6 Cloverleaf (139.9 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Mazda 6 generating around 108.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (133.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2002 Land-Rover Range Rover V8 Vogue (133.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.0 secs, this made the Mazda 6 Sport MZR 2.3i as fast as the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (8.70 secs) the 2011 Renault Twingo 1.6 133 Renaultsport Cup (8.70 secs) the 2009 Peugeot RCZ 2.0 HDi 200 GT (8.70 secs) the or the 2003 Lancia Thesis 3.2 V6 24v Comfortronic (8.70 secs). This Mazda 6 Sport MZR 2.3i is also faster than the 2013 Vauxhall-Opel Zafira Tourer CDTi BiTurbo (8.80 secs) the the 2002 Toyota Camry 3.0 V6 (8.80 secs) the and the 2000 Mitsubishi FTO 2.0 GPX (8.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 6 and the 1977 Porsche 928 4.5 V8

When talking about the performance of the Mazda 6 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.5 secs @ 82.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1977 Porsche 928 4.5 V8 (16.42 secs), the 2006 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 (16.42 secs), and the 2000 Volvo S60 T5 2.4 Turbo (16.42 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2001 version of the Mazda 6 Sport MZR 2.3i has a maximum speed of 131mph.

Top Speed of the 2001 6 equals the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (142 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2001 Mazda 6 Sport MZR 2.3i then how about the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (142 mph), the 2013 Lexus IS 350 (142 mph), or the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD DSG 2.0 Turbo Diesel (142 mph).

Related Links:

2001 6 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mazda

Car Comparison