Fresh Mazda6 turbo wagon busts out

The updated Mazda6 wagon has been revealed ahead of its 2018 Geneva motor show premiere in early March.

Showing off the same contemporary front-end design as the updated Mazda6 sedan, which was revealed at the 2017 Los Angeles motor show in November, the wagon will arrive in Australian showrooms alongside the sedan in August or September.

No images of the Mazda6 wagon's rear-end have been released, and it remains to be seen whether there are any changes out the back.

The wagon's new-look face will be accompanied by a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, similar to that of the Mazda CX-9, which pumps out 170kW/420Nm – the most powerful engine in a Mazda6 since the high-performance MPS model from 2005.

With its bigger boot and extra practicality, the Mazda6 Wagon starts at $41,440 in Australia, commanding a premium of almost $3000 over the sedan models. However, Mazda executives have previously stated that prices of the Mazda6 are likely to rise, especially for the new turbo-petrol engine, and also due to improved equipment and tech levels.

Standard features across the Mazda6 sedan and wagon range will include a six-speed automatic transmission and adaptive radar cruise control. Other features -- such as lane-keeping assist which steers the car back into its lane if the driver wavers, along with traffic sign recognition and intelligent speed assist -- will also be offered.

There will also be a 360-degree parking camera and a bigger 8.0-inch infotainment touch-screen -- the centrepiece of a completely redesigned interior, which also gets wider, softer front seats. Only the steering wheel and some trim pieces are carried over from the current model.

Top-range Atenza models benefit from larger 19-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioned seats with Nappa leather upholstery, Japanese Sen wood highlights and an adjustable 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster.

The new Mazda6 wagon will be displayed alongside the sedan and also the Mazda Vision Coupe and Kai concept cars, not to mention a display showcasing the brand's new SKYACTIV-X engine tech which will debut in the next Mazda3 due in 2019.