The fleet favourite and multi award-winning new Mazda6 has become even more appealing for company car drivers with a carbon dioxide (CO2) emission cut that delivers tax savings.
Engine modifications to the SKYACTIV-D 2.2-litre 150ps engine powering both the new Mazda6 Saloon and Tourer manual models deliver a CO2 emission reduction of 4g/km and 6g/km respectively to just 104g/km and 110g/km.
Critically, the engine improvements also deliver improved fuel economy with the Saloon now returning an incredible 72.4mpg (+5.1mpg) and the Tourer 67.3mpg (+3.1mpg) on the combined cycle.
As a result, Mazda expects a further strengthening of corporate demand for the low emission model, with delivery lead times as short as two weeks compared with up to four months of some rivals.
The new Mazda6 2.2-litre 150ps diesel Saloon costs from £21,995 on-the-road (OTR) in SE trim and the emission cut triggers a 2013/14 reduction in P11D percentage values from 16 percent to 15 percent meaning an annual company car benefit-in-kind tax saving of £43.88 for a basic rate taxpayer (£3.66 a month) and an £87.76 (£7.31 a month) saving for a higher rate tax payer.
Similarly, on the new Mazda6 Tourer, which costs from £22,795 (OTR) in SE trim, the emission cut delivers a 2013/14 reduction in P11D percentage values from 18 percent to 17 percent meaning an annual company car benefit-in-kind tax saving of £45.48 for a basic rate taxpayer (£3.79 a month) and a £90.96 (£7.58 a month) saving for a higher rate taxpayer.
Saloon and Tourer models powered by the SKYACTIV-D 2.2-litre 150ps engine are also available in SE Nav, SE-L, SE-L Nav, Sport* and Sport Nav* trim. Therefore, depending on company car choice, benefit-in-kind tax savings in 2013/14 could be up to £51.68 (£4.31 a month)/£48.48 (£4.04 a month) on the Sport Saloon/SE-L Tourer for a basic rate taxpayer and £103.36 (£8.61 a month)/£96.96 (£8.08 a month) for a higher rate taxpayer.
Employers will also make savings in Class 1A National Insurance contributions, which are paid on benefits-in-kind.
Additionally, while the emissions cut does not impact on first year Vehicle Excise Duty rates, the reduction on Tourer (116g/km to 110g/km) delivers a £10 a year saving on future rates as the model drops from Band C to Band B.
Steve Tomlinson, Mazda’s Head of Fleet, said: “Mazda engineers have been able to deliver financial savings for company car drivers and businesses without compromising the model in terms of its power, performance or towing capacity.”
“Indeed, the improvements that have delivered the CO2 emissions reduction and, consequently, the company car benefit-in-kind tax savings and fuel economy improvements mean that the 2.2-litre 150ps diesel models remain among the most efficient models in the C/D segment.”
“The new Mazda6 is the no compromise choice for company car drivers. They can have power, performance and driving fun with low emissions and first class fuel economy due to our SKYACTIV technology. That cannot be obtained from rival manufacturers who have resorted to smaller engine displacements in pursuit of emission and MPG improvements.”
Tomlinson added: “Our well-established ‘fleet vehicle sold order pot’ programme, means our key Business Specialist Network dealers are able to meet corporate demand typically within 10-14 days of orders being placed for the majority of models, which is significantly better than most rival marques.”
The Mazda6 has been a fleet favourite for more than a decade and the latest version, which went on sale in early 2013, has won a clutch of honours including ‘Best Upper Medium’ model in this year’s awards from industry publications Fleet News and Fleet World.
The new Mazda6 is available with a choice of 36 models across the two bodystyles, six-speed manual and automatic transmissions and six trim levels (SE, SE Nav, SE-L, SE-L Nav, Sport and Sport Nav). Priced from £19,595 to £28,295 (OTR).
* SKYACTIV-D 2.2-litre 150ps Tourer Sport and Sport Nav models available as 116g/km.
