The all-new 2014 Mazda6 was presented with the prestigious Gene Ritvo Award for Design and Elegance from the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA) in conjunction with Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts and the Larz Anderson Auto Museum.

The Ritvo Award honors the best in design in the automotive world, whether it’s a concept car, production vehicle, a marketing campaign or a particular element of a vehicle that defines elegance in design.

“The 2014 Mazda6 is a stunning example of the real-world application of the ‘Soul of Motion’ design language,” said NEMPA President Keith Griffin. “It was beautiful on the Takeri concept and now is a stunning sedan that is turning heads around the world. Gene Ritvo would be proud to have his name associated with the Mazda6.”

“The subtle but distinctive styling of the Mazda6 caught my eye when reviewing entries for the Ritvo Award,” said Meghan Melvin of the Museum of Fine Arts. “After reading the accompanying description, I was struck by the fact that the KODO design language was clearly reflected in this particular model.”

An evolution of the Takeri Concept, Mazda6 features the brand’s KODO “Soul of Motion” design language, which is inspired by the movement of animals in the wild—their ability to showcase power in its purest form combined with agile finesse. KODO’s prominent personality, inside and out, easily distinguishes the Mazda6 from competitive people movers, whose personalities seem to have been relegated to match their prudish exteriors. With pronounced sheet metal strokes, the vehicle evokes a controlled intensity, seemingly moving yet standing still. Not meant to be ignored, the stunning Mazda6 presents an uncommon but welcome appeal of emotion to the mid-size segment.