Mazda’s largest sedan and wagon has been hit for six.

DEFINED as a limited run, a special edition Mazda 6 delivered by the factory to celebrate 20 years of the type’s production, is also a run out.

News of the Anniversary Edition, which issues in sedan and wagon format with 20 editions in total – the final mix yet to be defined - comes with confirmation this is the end of the road for the current type, which has been around for a decade and until now has represented in general issue with GSX and Takami derivatives.

The Anniversary Special is a version of the latter, with special design elements and slightly more pep from the turbocharged 2.5-litre petrol. 

Mazda Japan remains vexingly vague about whether it has a new-generation car – which if normal model cycle trends apply should appear in 2024 – under development.

There’s growing thought it does not.

Declining sales of traditional sedans and wagons globally, and Mazda's current focus on broadening its range of sports utilities wagons – the next being the swish CX-60 that will present as a premium choice on arrival later this year – seems to have kyboshed continuation of a traditional road car.

In confirming this is the last of the current model line, Mazda NZ marketing services manager Maria Tsao said today: “We think the 20th Anniversary Edition will be a fitting farewell edition for a car which has had a strong heritage in our market.”

The Mazda6 20th Anniversary sedan, at $60,990, is now the only Mazda6 sedan available here.

The wagon, which costs $61,990 in Anniversary regalia, has represented in GSX and Takami, respectively holding recommended retails of $49,895 and $61,195.

With the Anniversary Edition's engine, power is up from 170kW to 173kW. Torque remains at 420Nm maximum, but the pulling power available at 4250rpm has increased by 8Nm.

The six-speed automatic transmission has also been updated to provide "a more direct upshift response", and the throttle response has been sharpened.

The Anniversary Edition only avails here is Mazda's new Rhodium White metallic - also used on the forthcoming CX-60 SUV.  

Other design features include high-gloss silver 19-inch alloy wheels, 20th anniversary badging, a silver front grille, tan-coloured Leganu synthetic suede and genuine nappa leather upholstery, and front-seat headrests with 20th-anniversary embossing.

Other equipment includes 11-speaker Bose audio, power-adjusted heated/vented front seats, wireless phone charging, 360deg monitor, glass power sliding and tilt sunroof, heated steering wheel and heated rear seats.

 At one point it seemed possible Mazda6 might next come out in rear-wheel-drive, on the same underpinnings as the CX-60 and larger CX-90, also due in NZ after CX-60 settles in, with their six-cylinder engines. The CX-70 and CX-80 are also using those elements.

However subsequent reports out of Europe over the past 12 months have poured cold water on plans for such a car, a Mazda executive there saying the Large architecture is just for the incoming SUVs.

The launch of the Mazda6 nameplate tied to the make also announcing the famous ‘zoom, zoom’ marketing slogan.

Some examples of the Anniversary Special are here, with deliveries to start this month. Tsao says further units will be built and arrive in the coming months.

“The final mix between body styles will be dependent on customer demand.”