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Nargess Shahmanesh-Banks test drives the new Mazda6

The 6 is an extremely important car for Mazda; you could even say that it is the Japanese carmaker's bread and butter. "It gave us a rebirth in Europe," boasts Jeffrey H. Guyton, CFO of Mazda Motor Europe. Having been on the market for over three years, it was time to treat it to a facelift, revised petrol engines and a new diesel engine with particulate filter (DPF).

Design changes are subtle, especially on the exterior where you sense that Mazda was being perhaps overtly cautious. This is historically a conservative segment and perhaps Mazda felt it too risky to make too many changes to the 'safe' design DNA. Changes have, however, been made to the front grille which is now more deeply recessed and flatter, with a honeycomb mesh pattern. New headlight and tail light units feature dark grey bezels with chrome lamp surrounds, while both front and rear bumpers are restyled to emphasise the car's sporty stance, especially on the saloon.

Modifications carried out to the interior space are more evident. The centre instrument panel has undergone real plastic surgery, with a new dark titanium surface optional on the console, instead of the silver metallic of the outgoing model, with a separate 'piano black' radio/CD and re-styled switches, plus new surface materials and softer upholstery. The clever Karakuri ultra-easy folding rear seat function has been carried through from the outgoing model.

Huge improvements have been made to ensure enhanced driving levels. All available five engines deliver equal or more power and torque than their predecessors, with equal or lower combined fuel consumption and CO2 levels, while achieving Euro 4 emissions ranking.

The modified MZR-CD 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine is fitted with a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) and is offered in two derivatives. The standard power version produces 121 ps (89 kW) and 320 Nm (236 lb ft) -- up 10 Nm (7 lb ft). With multi-stage fuel injection, the high power diesel version generates 143 ps (105 kW) -- up 7 ps (5 kW) -- and peak torque of 360 Nm (266 lb ft) -- up 50 Nm (37 lb ft).

There is a choice of three petrol engines. While the 1.8-litre engine remains more or less unchanged, Mazda engineers have modified the 2.0-litre power unit to produce 147 ps (108 kW) and 184 Nm (136 lb ft). Twin exhausts also boost the performance of this engine and the largest capacity, most powerful engine – the highly sophisticated MZR 2.3-litre.

The car features two newly developed transmissions. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard on all models, except the 1.8-litre petrol. A new five-speed Activematic automatic will be available from October as an option on the 2.0 litre petrol (TS and TS2 grades), replacing the previous four-speed automatic.

The result is a car that lives up to its reputation. The only thing missing is perhaps an 'emotive' touch, that word so loved amongst car designers. If only Mazda could be brave enough to inject some hard core emotion into their mainstream cars as it has so successfully done with the iconic MX5, then the Mazda6 would become a truly perfect package.