No price change for updated Mazda6

Mazda Australia has launched its revised Mazda6 mid-size sedan and wagon range, packing in more gear, but at no extra cost.

The upgraded 6 arrives in Australia with G-Vectoring Control (GVC) and NVH suppression tweaks for all models (but with additional technical changes for the diesel variants). All variants gain improved door sealing, tighter exterior panel gaps, thicker front-door glass and extra insulating material for the underbody, rear console, headliner and doors.

The diesel variants score High-Precision DE Boost Control for faster response to light-load accelerator pedal pressure. A damper for each of the 2.2-litre engine's gudgeon pins sets up a counter-vibrating action to correct vibration and noise in the 3.5kHz range. This feature is referred to by Mazda as a 'Natural Sound Smoother'.

Another trick to reduce NVH in the diesel engine is 'Natural Sound Frequency Control', which adjusts injection timing to counteract sound waves in three other bands: 1.3, 1.7 and 2.5kHz – associated with the engine's pre-combustion, main combustion and post-combustion phases.

The easiest way to distinguish the new Mazda6 is the redesigned exterior mirrors. All variants other than the base-grade Sport models come equipped with auto fold-in mirrors. A new colour, Machine Grey Metallic, replaces Meteor Grey from September production. The continuing colours are: Soul Red Metallic, Titanium Flash Mica, Deep Crystal Blue Mica, Blue Reflex Mica, Snowflake White Pearl Mica, Sonic Silver Metallic and Jet Black Mica.

Inside, a new multifunction steering wheel design takes pride of place and features a smaller boss, satin-chrome plating and revised switchgear. Instruments have been simplified with clearer labelling and fonts matching those on the MZD Connect infotainment screen. Taking a leaf out of Porsche's book, the Mazda6's right dial in the instrument binnacle is a full-colour TFT multi-information display.

The Active Driving Display (HUD for GT and Atenza models) moves to a full-colour setup and is now linked in seat-position memory function. High-grade GT and Atenza models also gain heated rear seats as standard.

Five interior trim variations are available: black fabric for Mazda6 Sport, black or white leather for the Touring and GT, black or white Nappa leather for the Atenza (with Titanium piping).

The flagship Mazda6 Atenza is kitted out with Titanium trim and black headlining. Power seat controls and glovebox release are now chrome-plated for the range-topping model.

Additionally, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) now includes pedestrian recognition and all Mazda6 variants now feature Traffic Sign recognition system that displays signs (including stop signs) in the infotainment touch screen and alerts the driver if the vehicle is over the limit. Smart Brake Support (essentially radar-based active cruise control) now works up to 160km/h, but cancels once speed falls to 15km/h and lower.

Significantly, Mazda has not raised the price of the revised Mazda6, and the state of the market sector in which it sells has played a role in that. Heavily reliant on private sales, Mazda has watched as private buyers have departed the medium car segment over the past 10 years.

"There's been a downsizing from larger to smaller cars, concurrently with a move into SUVs which offer that pragmatic packaging, even in a smaller overall sized vehicles," said Martin Benders, Mazda Australia MD, during the launch of the updated Mazda6. That has had a dramatic effect on the sales of traditional family cars.

The importer has been tracking sales of the Mazda6 within its segment over a 10-year period. During that time the Mazda6 has held steady at between 20 and 25 per cent share of private sales for medium cars under $60,000. Just before the launch of the current model in 2013, sales share dipped to 15 per cent, but the trend has hovered around 20 per cent.

But 20 per cent of what?

In 2006 the Mazda6 sold nearly 13,000 units for the year. But as of the end of 2015, Mazda6 sales had fallen to as few as 5276 cars. It has been a steady decline down through the years.

Prices for the Mazda6 are as follows:
Sedan 2.5-litre petrol
Sport - $32,490
Touring - $37,290
GT - $42,690
Atenza - $45,390

Sedan 2.2-litre diesel
Touring - $40,140
GT - $45,540
Atenza - $48,240

Wagon 2.5-litre petrol
Sport - $33,790
Touring - $38,590
GT - $43,990
Atenza - $46,690

Wagon 2.2-litre diesel
Touring - $41,440
GT - $46,840
Atenza - $49,540

Soul Red Metallic option - $250