(Tue 26 Jan 10)

A facelifted version of the Mazda6 will make its world debut at the Geneva Show in early March, and will go on sale in the UK shortly afterwards.

The redesign involves a new front end and rear lights, and is intended to give "a more sporty appearance and a clearer, premium identity". But there is more to it than that, because the 1.8- and 2.5-litre petrol engines have been updated, and there's a new two-litre direct injection petrol unit with better official economy and lower CO2 emissions than the one it replaces. The three versions of the 2.2-litre turbo diesel continue in their previous forms.

Mazda also promises better refinement and "cabin ambience", and has introduced new safety features including adaptive headlights and hill-launch assist. The suspension has been redesigned too, possibly in response to criticism that while the original 6 was way ahead of the class average in terms of handling, the current version definitely isn't.

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