THE new Mazda6 ‘Business Line’ model is already starting to look a smart choice for fleets, according to data from used car experts at CAP.
The 2.2-litre diesel five-door hatchback, which goes on sale in the next few weeks, is predicted to retain 34 per cent of its £18,130 P11D value - on-the-road list price is £18,300 - at the benchmark three-year/60,000-mile threshold, according to CAP.
And that’s a 4.5 percentage points above the average for its direct competitor set.
Mazda has launched the ‘Business Line’ model specifically for fleets and it comes in one well specified model with Sanyo TomTom satellite navigation, Bluetooth technology and 17-inch alloy wheels in addition to the standard model specification.
Other features include Dynamic Stability Control and Traction Control System with Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Emergency Brake Assist as well as front, side and curtain airbags, cruise control and dual-zone climate control air-con.
Emitting 138g/km of CO2, the car sits in the 20 percent benefit-in-kind tax bracket for 2011-12.
The Mazda6 ‘Business Line’ is available in the three most popular colours chosen by company car drivers - Black Mica, Sunlight Silver Metallic and Stormy Blue Mica – and the Japanese company anticipates selling around 500 models in the remainder of 2011. Annual sales are expected to total around 1,000.
Mazda Fleet and Remarketing Director Steve Jelliss said: “We anticipated a strong residual value for the ‘Business Line’ model and we are delighted that CAP has reached the same conclusion.
“Drivers choosing the new Mazda6 ‘Business Line’ model will pay just £60.43 a month if a basic rate taxpayer or £120.87 a month if a higher rate taxpayer. That represents fantastic value-for-money for a fun-to-drive car with the style, performance and features of our most successful fleet model.”