Know anybody who prefers a repair kit to a spare wheel?

MAZDA are not the only car manufacturers who are opting for repair kits instead of spare wheels for their new cars.

By dropping the spare wheel they can reduce the weight of the car which increases fuel efficiency and lowers C02 emissions.

Still it’s annoying as very often a

‘well’ space for a spare wheel has been allowed for in the design of the boot. I dread the dark night when I get a puncture and I will have to use a repair kit instead of a spare wheel.

At the Irish launch a few months back I drove a red version of the Mazda 6 and it was really class as we cruised around the leafy lanes near Brooklodge in Macreddin Village.

Last week’s car was in a reflex blue coloured Touring or Estate version, which truth be told, didn’t look as impressive as the red. It was a very long motor and two roof rails added to the elongated effect.

I drove the 2.2 litre diesel with six-speed manual gearbox and that’s the version which is expected to be Mazda’s big seller in Ireland. Prices start at

?¬28,745, but the 2.2 litre diesel I drove will cost you

?¬31,795.

Thanks to Mazda’s SkyActiv technology and their i-ELOOP brake energy regeneration system this is a very economical motor. You should be able to get 67 mpg. I realise the fuel tank in the 6 is able to hold over 60 litres, but still the fuel gauge moved very slowly.

There is a new chassis, lighter engine and stop-start technology. The controls on the dash are all easy to use and overall it’s a comfortable car to travel in. Plenty of seating space for five well-built adults and plenty of space in the boot also. I liked the way the tonneau used to cover items in the boot, was securely tied; hiding any valuable from would be thieves.

It’s a lovely car, but it really is up against some stiff opposition like the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series in the saloon sector and Skoda’s Octavia and Superb, Ford Mondeo and VW Passat in the estate sector. Still with 150 brake horse power the Mazda 6 won’t be left stalled at the traffic lights.

A previous version of the Mazda 6 won an amazing 130 auto awards worldwide, including the Irish Car of the Year in 2003. Since then the Japanese brand had lost their way a bit in Ireland, but after a few lean years Mazda seem to be doing some decent promotion work for the 6 this time round. Already the new car was won the prestigious Red Dot award for product design.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the new Mazda 6 is in the shake up for a section winner when the Irish Motor Writers announce their awards in November. My colleagues will probably forgive Mazda for the lack of a spare wheel, but I don’t know anybody who prefers a repair kit to a spare wheel.