Mazda 6 facelift now here – 2.0 and 2.5, starting RM159,158

Local Mazda distributor Bermaz has quietly introduced the facelifted Mazda 6 – we popped by its 3S centre in Sungai Besi to obtain these pictures of the updated D-segment sedan in 2.0 litre guise.

Stop rubbing your eyes, because you’re not seeing things – this car looks exactly like the current 2.0 litre model on the outside. The facelift’s supposed reshaped headlights, slatted grille with thicker chrome surround, reshaped front bumper, LED fog lights with chrome accents and updated tail light graphics are nowhere to be found here.

We’re told that the 2.5 litre model, which will be in showrooms by the end of the month, will feature the exterior tweaks – it seems the changes only come with the optional new LED headlights, which are fitted on the high-end variant; spec the regular halogens and you’ll receive the old front fascia instead.

Thankfully, the massively-revamped dashboard and centre console is present and correct – there’s a more refined design with classier looking air vents and climate controls, new dials for the instrument cluster gauges, swathes of leather trim (including along the transmission tunnel), neater switchgear layout, a space-saving electronic parking brake and new roll-top cupholders.

With the facelift, the 6 also finally receives Mazda’s latest MZD Connect system as seen on the new Mazda 2 and 3, with a freestanding display and BMW iDrive-like Commander Control knob. As before, navigation, keyless entry, sunroof, paddle shifters and 11-speaker Bose sound system are reserved for the 2.5 litre model, but the range-topper now also receives a new head-up display.

Otherwise, eight-way power-adjustable leather front seats (with driver’s side memory), push-button start, a reverse camera, auto lights and wipers and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror are all shared between both variants, as they were previously.

Engine choices remain unchanged as well – the 2.0 litre direct-injected SkyActiv-G four-pot makes 153 hp at 6,000 rpm and 200 Nm at 4,000 rpm, while the 2.5 litre variant delivers 185 hp at 5,700 rpm and 250 Nm at 3,250 rpm. The six-speed SkyActiv-Drive has been retained, too, but gets a rocker switch to select the new, faster-reacting Sport mode. Cruising cabin noise is also said to have been decreased by as much as 25%.

Safety kit is the same as before – both models get six airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist as well as Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), with the 2.5 litre model also receiving the i-ActivSense suite of active safety systems.

All that’s left now is the price – as revealed in the GST-inclusive price list at the beginning of the month, the facelifted 2.0 litre sedan retails at RM159,158 on-the-road without insurance (RM4,000 more than before), the 2.5 litre sedan costs RM194,647 and the 2.5 litre Touring estate is priced at RM198,647 (both 2.5 sedan and estate cost RM9,999 more than before).

UPDATE: We managed to find pictures of the 2.5 litre sedan variant on the Mazda Zoom-Zoom page – the top-of-the-range model gets all the exterior changes mentioned, as well as gunmetal 19-inch wheels as opposed to the 2.0’s silver 17-inch rollers.

- Source: paultan.org