The Mazda 6 is powered by one of two engines — a 2.5-liter four-cylinder generating 170 horsepower and 167 pound-feet of torque or a 3.7-liter V6 that cranks out 272 hp and 269 lb-ft. The four is paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic, while the V6 is only available with a six-speed automatic.

The 6 is available in seven trim levels: i SV, i Sport, i Touring, i Touring Plus, i Grand Touring, s Touring Plus and s Grand Touring. Models with the “i” prefix come with the four-cylinder engine, while models with the “s” prefix come with the V6. Base models are respectably equipped, while higher trim levels come with such niceties as alloy wheels, xenon headlights, Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone automatic climate control and an audible blind-spot monitoring system. Major options include a sunroof, an in-dash six-CD changer, satellite radio and a navigation system.

The S Grand Touring trim package is the top of the Mazda 6 lineup and this one came equipped with the only available options, the technology and navigation packages. That makes it as fully kitted as a 6 can get with an MSRP right around $33,000. The car had Mazda’s 3.7 liter 272 HP DOHC 24 valve V6 with variable valve timing mated to a 6 speed automatic with available tap shifting.

Equipment included power and heated leather seats, dual zone automatic climate control, glass sunroof, high end Bose audio system with six-disc changer, 10 speakers, sat radio, a nav system, auto dimming mirrors, rain and snow sensing wipers, stability control, blind spot warning, xenon headlamps with leveling controls (more on that later), smart key fob system, sills that light up with the Mazda 6 logo and more. Personal settings for you and your significant other are stored in memory. On the outside were 18? aluminum rims with wide 235/45 tires.

The 2011 Mazda 2 debuts as this Japanese automaker’s new entry-level car. Available in several worldwide markets as the Demio, the 2 offered in the United States and Canada is a 4-door hatchback. It comes in Sport and Touring trim levels. The sole powertrain teams a 100-horsepower 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, and front-side airbags. Air conditioning, power windows/locks/mirrors, remote entry, and 60/40 spilt-folding rear seat backs are standard on all models. Standard on the Touring are cruise control and steering-wheel audio controls. This evaluation is based on preview test drives.

When the Mazda3 first came out in 2004, everyone wanted one. Well, at least a good number of people my age wanted one. It was a class shaker, a model that showed that a compact car can be sporty, practical, affordable and fun.

Can the new Mazda2 do the same?

Strictly speaking, it took quite a while for the Mazda2 (or Mazda Demio in other markets) to officially arrive, especially since this 3rd generation model has been in production and on sale in other countries since 2007. Mazda waited until their new plant in Thailand was complete for the production of the Mazda2. Is the wait a bad thing? Well, no, because in that time, the Mazda2 has already undergone a redesign and garnered the World Car of the Year Award (WCOTY), besting some very stiff competition.

So what do you get for PhP 795,000? Well, for starters, you get a great looking little subcompact car. Perhaps it’s the petite dimensions, or the smiling 5 point grille or even the cute looks, but there’s a sporty, friendly atmosphere around the Mazda2. The design looks taut and ready to go, great points for a light, fun car.

The Hakaze concept is the third in a line from Mazda intended to explore the idea of flow. As such, it uses striated body panels designed to mimic the way sand-swept surfaces look. The Hakaze is based on the CX-7 platform and uses a four-cylinder turbocharged engine.

It was inspired by the impossibly cool sport of kite surfing, but scratch beneath the veneer of sun, surf and sand, and the Hakaze makes plenty of sense. For a start it sits on running architecture. Beneath the Hakaze’s engaging sheetmetal sits a modified CX-7, with 100mm chopped out of its wheelbase. It’s powered by the same 260bhp 2.3-litre turbocharged direct-injection four-pot from the Mazda 6 MPS, driving the part-time four-wheel-drive layout through a six-speed automatic gearbox. And it’s been engineered to accept Mazda’s (and Ford’s) next-generation Euro V-compliant 2.2-litre turbodiesel, to meet European tastes.

The styling team responsible for the Hakaze says it looked to the world of kite-surfing for inspiration, and the low roofline, purposeful stance and stubby rear give the newcomer the appearance of a sporty coupé. There’s also a pair of scissor doors, although the large 20-inch aluminium wheels and chunky tyres ensure it has the tough go-anywhere look of an SUV.

At the rear, the split tailgate takes cues from the Range Rover. Its clear upper section – which is milled from a solid piece of clear plastic, and took 14 days to shape – echoes the wave pattern of the bodywork, and even incorporates LED tail-lights.

Solving the problem of where to stow the removable roof, engineers have placed a large drawer at the back of the car. The rear bumper simply slides out to reveal an enormous tray for the pair of large glass panels that usually fit above the rear seats.