Low-compression diesels have become recognized as viable technology with several advantages in this era of stringent emissions regulations. The slower ignition that results will allow time for better mixing of air and fuel and, therefore, more complete combustion to reduce soot and NOx. In the case of the Mazda6, there’s no need for urea fluid injection aftertreatment to further reduce NOx.

Car will now use an after treatment system

According to a recent report, the Mazda6 diesel is still a year away in the United States.

According to The Truth About Cars, the model was unable to meet U.S. diesel emissions standards so engineers were forced to modify the engine. However, when the changes were made, the output dropped significantly and was deemed too low to meet customer expectations. This reportedly resulted in a major rethinking of the diesel program and a switch to an unspecified after-treatment system to lower emissions.

As a refresher, Mazda originally intended to launch the diesel-powered model in the second half of 2013. However, the company announced the car would be delayed earlier this year. At the time, the company said the "SKYACTIV-D [engine] can meet emission regulation requirements without the use of a NOx after-treatment system" but they decided "that further development is required to deliver the right balance between fuel economy and Mazda-appropriate driving performance." Nearly two months later, Mazda North America CEO Jim O’Sullivan said the car was delayed because "We didn’t think the powertrain was ‘zoom-zoom’ enough.”

Mazda6 diesel reportedly a year off in the United States

The current Mazda6 is a car whose exterior doesn’t really need refreshing, much like the old Alfa Romeo 159 didn’t and looked very good (unchanged) throughout its active showroom life.

However, the Mazda6 is receiving a facelift, one that will probably soon be officially revealed, since it was just revealed via the leaked content posted below.

Known as the Atenza in Japan, the look of the facelifted 6 doesn’t seem to differ all that much from that of the current car. The grille looks different and is more prominent, though subtly so, and it would appear that the headlights also have a different design inside; their shape remains the same, though. The design of the bumper has also been altered somewhat, though not dramatically.

Inside is where the 6 could have benefitted more from a facelift. The interior was never bad, but some design elements like the position of the infotainment screen could have been (looked) better. With the facelift, it appears they’ve changed the way the screen sits, now resting atop the dash with no cowl.

The dashboard looks to be more different in other areas too, like the heating/ventilation controls; the steering wheel may also be different, though we can’t state that as a fact.