The new, highly sculptured front bumper gives the Mazda 6 facelift a strong athletic look. In addition to the horseshoe-shape front tyre deflectors, new plate-type deflectors are added, the front lip spoiler is extended, and the rear tyre deflectors enlarged. Together, these changes limit turbulence in airflow around the wheels and body sides, and contribute to improved aerodynamics. The drag coefficients of 0.27 for the sedan and hatchback and 0.28 for the wagon are both among the lowest in the CD-segment.

New MZR 2.0 DISI Petrol - Updated Activematic Automatic Transmission

For the facelift, Mazda replaces the mid-sized petrol engine of the original model with a 2.0-litre MZR DISI petrol that is more fuel-efficient, livelier and faster. This high-revving direct-injection petrol produces a maximum output of 114 kW/155 PS at 6,200 rpm and 193 Nm of maximum torque at 4,500 rpm. It injects petrol in a finely atomized spray directly into the cylinders, and when this vaporizes it lowers the combustion temperature. This is so effective at suppressing knock - usually a problem with direct-injection petrols - that a high compression ratio can be employed, which delivers power, high acceleration and good fuel economy.

Customers can choose between Mazda's precise-shifting six-speed manual transmission - with higher third, fourth and sixth gear ratios for fuel efficiency at higher speeds - or a new five-speed Activematic automatic gearbox with manual shift mode. The five-speed automatic transmission has newly optimized torque-converter characteristics that deliver an optimal combination of acceleration and fuel economy. This powertrain provides comfortable yet sporty driving while using just 7.6 litres per 100 km (combined) in the sedan and hatchback versions.

Despite producing 6 kW/8 PS and 9 Nm more torque than the naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre it replaces, the new DISI powertrain with the manual transmission uses just 6.9 litres fuel per 100 km. And its new single-nano technology catalyst is positioned immediately downstream of the exhaust manifold to ensure quick catalyst activation and emission reduction at cold start. With the DISI engine, the sedan and hatchback each produce 4.2 percent less CO 2 than the outgoing 2-litre petrol, and meet Euro Stage V emissions standards.

Diesel Powertrains - Reined for lower Fuel Consumption and CO2

All three derivatives of Mazda's powerful and sporty MZR-CD 2.2 turbo-diesel engine are quieter-running at cold start with newly revised fuel-injection timing, revised EGR control and glow plugs to assist combustion.

For the High and Mid-Power versions, engineers reduced the outlet diameter of the turbocharger's turbine impeller from 41.5 mm to 36 mm, which reduces turbine inertia by 24 percent and increases torque. As a result, the High-Power version provides substantially improved sixth-gear acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h. The Mid-Power version now has 10 Nm more torque where it is most needed — in the 1,400-1,600 rpm range — for an exciting acceleration feel.

The Mazda 6 facelift Standard-Power diesel offers a great combination of lively power and low fuel consumption. To achieve this, torque was increased by reducing the outlet diameter of the turbocharger's turbine impeller even further (from 41.5 mm to 32 mm), thereby reducing turbine inertia by approximately 51%, and by reducing the outer diameter of the compressor impeller itself from 57 mm to 47 mm, thereby increasing torque by 30 Nm in the 1,400 rpm to 2,400 rpm range.

This delivers high torque at low- and mid-range engine speeds, and great engine response. The Standard- Power version produces 95 kW/129 PS of maximum output at 3,500 rpm, and 340 Nm of maximum torque, while using only 5.2 litres of fuel per 100 km.

The Standard-power derivative is not only efficient and frugal, but cleaner as well. It produces low amounts of CO 2 by using an optimised shape for the cavity in the crown of each piston. This makes the combustion chamber more efficient at using drawn-in air and reduces CO 2 by about 1.2 percent versus the original crown shape. Engineers also raised this version's transmission gear ratios which, when combined with this engine's quick response, delivers better acceleration feel while producing only 138 g/km of CO 2 (sedan/ hatchback).

All three diesel derivatives of the Mazda 6 facelift are Euro V compliant and engineered with reduced thermal capacity exhaust manifolds and joint pipes, which allows for quicker cold-start heat up of the catalyst and lower overall CO 2 emissions. More precise settings for the exhaust-gas recirculation (EGR) and fuel-injection systems are introduced as well, which lowers NOx emissions. These technologies are combined with a diesel particulate filter that is made of a high thermal- resistant ceramic material and includes Mazda's independently-developed catalyst. This catalyst has stored oxygen in the base material and uses it, along with oxygen present in exhaust gases, to improve combustion of soot emissions.

This makes regeneration of the filter faster and more efficient. It also realises excellent emissions, contributes to lower fuel economy and reduces the number of regenerations without sacrificing performance or driving fun.