Mazda6 Facelift

The new facelift version of the Mazda Atenza sedan, otherwise popularly known to us as the 2011 JDM Mazda 6, was revealed  in Japan much ahead of  its world premiere schedule at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show for Europe this March and the 2010 New York Auto Show for the United States. It promises upgrades over its predecessor with state-of-the-art cabin ambience and refined interiors besides being eco-friendly.

Keeping in mind the car is not a new one but just a facelift, the company’s engineers had to do more work than the designers. The car exterior boasts the famous Mazda nose, a reworked bumper and more pronounced air-inlets on the corners, a new five-point grille, new headlamps and rear lights providing customers a sportier stance and, a cleaner and premium vision with its newly styled 17 and 18-inch alloy  wheels.

Refined interiors are not that profound but for a few changes like the glossy, piano-black finish in the center panel, audio and air conditioner panels as well as the shift gate and steering wheel spokes, and the chrome garnish on the climate control panel, audio dials, shift knob and inner door handles.

The Japanese automaker tweaked the Atenza’s power steering and suspension settings thus improving the car’s handling, high speed as well as ride quality. There will be a choice of six power units which includes a more powerful and enhanced 2.0-litre DISI petrol engine with improved fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions than the engine it replaces. Diesel lovers get the MZR-CD 2.2-litre turbo engine in three highly responsive derivatives – from 129-hp to 180-hp. It has a 5-speed automatic transmission adapted especially to deliver the Mazda’s optimal combination of acceleration and fuel economy. It comes with new chassis settings and active safety performance features with driving aids like a pivoting adaptive front lighting system and hill-launch assist.

Mazda has released the first 2011 Mazda6 facelift images and details and announced that the new version will be premiered at the Geneva auto show in March. As far as the exterior design goes, the 2011 Mazda6 facelift features new headlights and rear light clusters. The 2011 Mazda6 facelift also comes with new chassis settings, adaptive front lighting and hill-launch assist.