The Mazda6 already had great steering, and that comes over to Mazdaspeed6 pretty much intact. But it's the all-wheel drive system that defines the car's handling. An on-board computer analyzes the data stream, which determines whether the system should be in Normal, Sport or Snow modes. When it's running in Normal, most of the power is delivered to the front wheels and the car drives very much like a Mazda6-not a bad thing. Throw a brick at the accelerator and the system heads into the Sport realm, where torque is split evenly front to rear. Throw in the ability of its limited-slip differentials and the result is neutral and capable power delivery, which lets the all-independent (wishbones up front, multi-link in the back) suspension do its work without undue burden.
Snow mode takes over when the car is hunting for traction -any traction it can find.
Of course, the standard ABS-equipped four-wheel discs do their job admirably. In fact, everything about this car's driving experience is very sweet. But it isn't really exciting. This isn't a car with the explosive personality of an Evo or WRX, but the subtle confidence of a BMW or Mercedes. Fortunately, it carries pretty much all the same equipment as those luxury brands-the Sport model is well equipped and the Grand Touring version has almost too many features-including xenon headlamps and a remote start feature should you just want to stand outside the car and listen to it idle.
Both versions get gauges that glow red inside brushed aluminum-looking bezels and alloy pedals. The interior is a nice place, but doesn't reach the standards set by cars like the Acura TL or Lexus IS. But then again, the Mazdaspeed6 starts at $28,555. And that's a deal.
Sport Concept Civic SiEasily the best-looking Civic Si came out of Honda's own "Sport Concept." With a widened track, new front and rear bumpers, a big deck-wing, a neat center-exit exhaust, special 19-inch wheels shod in 245/35R-19 Michelin Pilots, and Brembo brakes big enough to stop a tsunami, this car managed the neat trick of being both tasteful and totally badass. Of course, none of the parts that make this car so tasty are available... but damn it, imitation is still the sincerest form of flattery. So copy away!
But if you wind up in a lawsuit after Honda sues you, don't come whining to us expecting help to pay the judgment.
MJH Sound Civic SiNaturally, at least one Si had to have a turbo wheezing into it at SEMA, and one of those was from MJH Sound. The custom-fabricated system for this car uses a Garrett GT28RS turbo, heaving air through a Garrett air-to-water intercooler with a Tial 50mm blow-off valve plumbed in to avoid an Etna-spec detonation. Lots of other stuff is tweaked as well, with the body kit coming from TC Sportline, the wheels from Racing Hart and the 235/40R18 tires from Sumitomo.
DVR Concept SiRR.J. DeVera's name is familiar to SCC readers mostly because R.J. works so damn hard at making his name familiar. But that doesn't mean that the DeVera-nator doesn't have a ton of good ideas crammed into his 9.4-pound head. And one of his best was painting this Si the colors of the 1966 Honda 273 Formula One racecar. It's iconic and a lot more memorable than covering every square-inch with sponsor stickers.