This undisguised prototype is the first glimpse at the next-generation U.S.-spec 2009 Mazda6, which differs in a number of ways from the European version of the Mazda6 that made its debut last September at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Up front, the U.S. model eschews the European model's black honeycomb grille in favor of an evolved version of the current car's color-keyed trapezoid with a single bar through the center. The foglamp housing has been inverted, with the foglamps themselves now being on the outer edges of the lower fascia, which also no longer has openings below the foglamps.
The rears of the two cars differ far more substantially, to the point where only the taillights remain the same. The U.S. model moves the license plate location into the trunk lid, shrinking the European car's oversize Mazda badge. In addition to the completely reshaped fascia, the U.S. model also sports a pair of rather large exhaust outlets.
The European model is sold only with 2.0- and 2.5-liter four-cylinders, but as the badge on the rear indicates, this is a V-6 model. The current 6 is offered with either a 2.3-liter 156 horsepower four-banger or a 3.0-liter 212 horsepower V-6 and there's no indication that either engine will be replaced.
Mazda has been very quiet about this car, but the lack of camouflage on this prototype leads us to believe that they may be showing it as soon as New York, though they could choose to wait until the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.