Mazda6 wins fans world wide

The new Mazda6 mid-size sedan has been named Car of the Year by Popular Mechanics, an American award-winning special interest magazine covering the best of today's technologies and beyond.

The vehicle was also selected as the 2014 RJC Car of the Year in the final voting by the Automotive Researchers' and Journalists' conference of Japan, consisting of automotive critics and journalists.

Combined with SkyActiv Technology - the umbrella term for a host of performance-oriented, fuel-saving engine, transmission, body and chassis components - the third-generation Mazda6 features all-new technology.

"To be named 'Car of the Year' by a publication as esteemed as Popular Mechanics is as flattering as it is humbling," said Jim O'Sullivan, president & CEO, Mazda North American operations.

"And the continued success of the 2014 Mazda6 is a testament to the brand's 'clean slate' approach, where everyone from every team - R&D and design to strategy and marketing - rolled up their proverbial sleeves to answer the question 'If we could start all over, what can we do better?'

"We believe in 'One Team, One Mazda' and it is a proud honour to share this accolade with the entire global Mazda family."

After a year of test driving the latest automotive offerings, PM's automotive editors and contributors judged vehicles and selected the Car of the Year for its overall excellence and their top 10 choices by segment.

The SkyActiv family of engines garnered an Automotive Excellence Award last year in the "Technical Innovation" bonus category.

"At Popular Mechanics, we love it when bold engineering and great design come together," said Jim Meigs, the magazine's editor-in-chief. "The Mazda6 really impressed us with how well it delivers so many things modern car owners want: great mileage, fun road-handling, upscale features and looks - and remarkable value."