8

Mazda’s new Mazda6 saloon and Tourer will arrive in UK showrooms from July 20, with prices starting at £23,195.

Set to drive the latest development in the Japanese car manufacturer’s push for greater efficiency and lower emissions from its normally-aspirated petrol engines, the latest generation of Mazda6 features cylinder deactivation technology in its 2.5-litre 194PS SKYACTIV-G engine.

The updated Mazda6 also sees a series of design revisions and a rise in power to 184PS for the SKYACTIV-D 2.2-litre diesel engine in a range which now features 25 derivatives across four trim levels.

Prices range from £23,195 to £33,585, with the tourer averaging a price premium of around £2,000 across a range which features SE-L Nav+, SE-L LUX Nav+, Sport Nav+ and GT Sport Nav+ trim grades.

The new SKYACTIV-G engine is available matched only to the new range-topping GT Sport Nav+ trim and switches between four- and two-cylinders in a bid to improve real-world fuel economy.

Jeremy Thomson, Mazda Motors UK’s managing director, said: “With new powertrain technology, fresh premium design details inside and out, revised model grades and more standard technology, the new Mazda6 is a thoroughly re-engineered and refined update of our stylish flagship.”

Among the design changes to the 2018 Mazda 6 is a fresh front-end design focused around a new grille, revised LED headlamps and a redesigned lower bumper.

At the rear, the saloon has a remodelled boot lid, while both the saloon and tourer feature cleaner rear bumper styling with more body coloured areas.

New alloy wheel designs and the introduction of Soul Red Crystal Metallic paint, which adopts Mazda’s three-layer TAKUMINURI painting technology to increase its brightness – by approximately 20% and depth by 5%, it is claimed – have also been introduced.

Inside a larger eight-inch centre display screen and the adoption of a full colour windscreen projected Active Driving Display have both been added to the specification along with redesigned dash and door trim designs.

All models also now feature Mazda’s i-ACTIVESENSE technology, which includes blind spot monitoring, a rear cross traffic alert, Mazda Radar Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist and Advanced Smart City Break Support.

Mazda Motors UK sales director, Peter Allibon, said: “With more technology and equipment than ever before, plus upgrades to engines and refinement I’m sure the Mazda6 will be more popular than ever with both fleet and retail customers.”

> More pictures below