Geneva show: Mazda6 facelift lobs in wagon form

MAZDA has whipped the covers off the wagon version of the facelifted Mazda6 ahead of its international debut at the Geneva motor show next month.

The revised mid-sized wagon will arrive in Australia alongside the new-look Mazda6 sedan in the third quarter of this year, continuing the good fight for Mazda against load-lugging rivals such as the Ford Mondeo and Skoda Octavia.

Otherwise identical to the sedan that was revealed at the Los Angeles motor show last October, the Mazda6 wagon picks up a restyled front end, upgraded interior, better noise levels and a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine from the CX-9 large SUV.

The new premium powertrain option – producing 170kW of power and 420Nm of torque – joins the carry-over 138kW/250Nm 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol and 129kW/420Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-pot units.

However, the 2.5-litre atmo powerplant has been given a tickle, adding cylinder deactivation technology that can reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by shutting down the two outer cylinders at speeds between 40km/h and 80km/h.

All three engines are still matched to a six-speed torque-convertor automatic transmission that sends drive to the front wheels.

As previously reported, the turbo-petrol powertrain will be offered locally in the high-spec GT and Atenza grades initially, with this applying to both the sedan and wagon body styles.

The redesigned front end features a larger and lower-seat grille with a mesh insert, while the headlights sport a sleeker shape than before.

New alloy wheel designs, extra paint colour options and minor trim changes round out the new exterior look.

While Mazda has not provided a glimpse at the wagon's rear end, it is expected to be largely unchanged, save for different tail-light graphics and a modified bumper.

Inside, upgrades are more prevalent as the dashboard, centre stack and their surrounds are all-new, while higher-quality materials are used throughout – including traditional Japanese wood and leather treatments.

The front seats have been completely overhauled with a focus on greater occupant comfort and support, while new Ultra Suede trim elevates the cabin to a premium-like level.

Other interior highlights include a larger 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster (Atenza only), an upgraded 8.0-inch MZD Connect infotainment system and a windscreen-projected head-up display.

Driver-assist technologies expand to adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, intelligent speed assist and a 360-degree camera.

Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels have decreased significantly, partly thanks to a chassis-mounted steering rack that provides improved rigidity and greater steering feel and response.

Furthermore, the chassis and body have been reinforced in places, while suspension geometry has been tweaked for refined roll steer and more neutral handling.

Thicker metal around the rear wheel wells, additional body bracing and stronger suspension trailing link mounts also contribute towards the lower NVH levels.

Australian pricing and specifications for the updated Mazda6 sedan and wagon will be released closer to their local launch in the early stages of the third quarter this year.

Currently, the Mazda6 line-up ranges in cost from $32,490 before on-road costs for the Sport sedan to $49,540 for the Atenza wagon, but prices for the new model have been confirmed to rise due to specification increases.

Mazda6 sales took a hit last year, with 3647 examples sold to the end of 2017, representing a 16.5 per cent decrease over 4369 vehicles that found homes in 2016.

Nevertheless, the Japanese model placed second in last year's sub-$60,000 mid-size passenger-car segment, trailing the Toyota Camry (23,620) but ahead of the Ford Mondeo (2959), Volkswagen Passat (2463) and Subaru Liberty (2023), among others.