Car and Driver: 2014 Mazda 6 Rendering

What It Is: 
What the redesigned 2014 Mazda 6 sedan could look like. The new 6 will debut at this fall’s Paris auto show, and it will be redesigned from the ground up with all of Mazda’s lightweight, efficiency-boosting Skyactiv technologies baked in. The 2014 iteration of the 6 will return to a global-market strategy—meaning it will produce the same-size car for all markets, as it did with the first-generation car. Expect the new 6 to fall somewhere between the current-generation’s U.S.-spec and slightly shorter and narrower European versions.

Why It Matters: 
The current Mazda 6 is reasonably fun to drive and pretty interesting to look at, but with ever-tightening fuel-economy standards looming it will need to get more efficient. Enter Mazda’s Skyactiv chassis and engine tech, which can be viewed in full effect on the new CX-5 crossover. 

Platform: 
Like the CX-5, the next-gen Mazda 6 will get a lightweight-yet-strong structure. The cherry on top of the redesigned 6 will be its even-sexier sheetmetal, which will draw inspiration from last year’s Takeri concept. Referred to as Kodo, the new design language already has debuted on the CX-5. Considering how closely that model resembled the Minagi concept that presaged it, we expect the new 6 will ape the Takeri. As you can see in the rendering above, we figure production changes largely will be limited to door handles, a more-realistically shaped light-catching surface just above the rocker panel, and a smaller grille than the Takeri’s. 

Powertrain:  
Mazda has already revealed that the 2014 6 will get a Skyactiv engine, along with a choice of six-speed manual or automatic Skyactiv transmissions. A Skyactiv-D diesel engine is a possibility for the next Mazda 6, but Mazda hasn’t confirmed such an option will be available. The oil-burner is expected to make its way to our shores sometime this year in a CX-5. The outgoing 6’s 272-hp, 3.7-liter V-6 won’t survive the redesign, although we do expect a hybrid version to combat the gas-electric offerings of the 6’s competitors.

Competition: 
Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry.

Estimated Arrival Time and Price:
 Look for the 2014 Mazda 6 sometime next year following its auto-show debut in Paris. It’s too early to speculate on pricing, but given the cutthroat nature of the mid-size sedan segment, don’t expect the next-gen 6’s sticker to move too far from the current car’s $21,520 base price.

Source;
http://www.caranddriver.com/news/2014-mazda-6-sedan-rendered-detailed-news