The excellent Mazda 6 saloon, hatchback and wagon have only been available with one diesel engine – until now.

Out goes the old 140bhp 2-litre motor and in comes a brand new 2.2-litre engine with the option of three power outputs.

And we will be hearing lots more about it, as it will be appearing in the Mazda 3 and Mazda CX-7 next year.

It could turn around the fortunes of the CX-7 soft roader in diesel-loving Britain, as it has only been available with a thirsty 2.3-litre turbocharged petrol since it went on sale last year.

Fitted in the Mazda 3 it will also make for an exciting proposition – if there is a 183bhp version it would instantly give the Japanese manufacturer its first diesel hot hatch.

Developed by Mazda engineers (and not related to the Ford Mondeo 2.2TDCi diesel) the new engine might be larger, but its technologically advanced components make it cleaner, quieter and more economical than its predecessor.

Fuel is delivered into the engine at a higher pressure, and the turbo has been redesigned to supply more oxygen for enhanced combustion.

The entry-level engine has 123bhp, while the medium strength diesel gets 161bhp and the top-rated model is rated at an impressive 183bhp.

Performance is brisk, with acceleration from 0-62mph taking 10.9 seconds, 9.2 seconds and 8.5 seconds respectively.

Average fuel consumption is amongst the best-in-class, with the 123bhp and 161bhp models returning just over 50mpg, while the 183bhp engine manages around 49mpg.

Emissions range from only 147g/km in the 123bhp hatchback to a maximum of 152g/km in the 183bhp wagon.

This means all models except the sportiest estate fit in to tax band C, with an annual charge of £120.

The twisting and mountainous roads of Mallorca gave the new engine a real workout, and it proved to be a lusty diesel capable of providing as much speed as any Mazda 6 driver should ever need.

We got to drive the mid and high-power versions, and found the pick of the line-up to be the 161bhp engine, with its superior economy, emissions and more driveable demeanour.

Tuned to 183bhp, the high-power 2.2-litre diesel has plenty of fire and brimstone, with 295lb/ft of pulling power arriving at the front wheels all at once, it’s too willing to spin the front tyres and send the traction control into battle.

All this power and torque also arrives later in the rev range than in the more placid 161bhp model, making it easier to get caught out of the power band.

The 161bhp Mazda 6 is therefore more fluent, free from the vagaries of wheelspin and torquesteer (where the steering wheel tugs from side to side), and makes driving more fun than in the whizz-bang 183bhp version.

Superb balance

Mazda has not changed the suspension significantly for the arrival of these new motors (which weigh just 6kg more than the previous 2-litre and are almost the same size too), but we were reminded how well this car handles.

Attacking bends should not be this fun in a saloon. With plentiful grip, precise and linear steering and extremely good balance, the big Mazda 6 danced from bend to bend with a grace which defies its weight.

Even with attractive 18-inch wheels fitted the ride is cosseting, soaking up the worst speed bumps, potholes and railway crossings Mallorca had to offer with a gentle thud.

So it’s not a compromise to choose these wheels over the smaller 17-inch wheels, which have only fractionally better bump absorption.

Driving down a steep mountain pass with hairpin corner after hairpin corner (see the picture of the satellite navigation screen in our slide show) the brakes provided solid stops time and again.

It’s a good looking car too, with sharper lines than a Mondeo or BMW 3-Series, a clutter-free dashboard and cool blue and red illuminated instruments.

Safety net

Also new for 2009 is the fitment of Mazda’s ‘Rear Vehicle Monitoring System’, standard on models from TS2 upwards.

Using two microwave radars located in the rear bumper, the system detects cars which may be in the driver’s blind spot and illuminates an amber light in the door pillar on the left or right side.

Turn on your indicator in the direction of the hazard and the light flashes and there is a beep to warn you of a possible collision.

Impressively it detects cars up to a range of 50 metres behind the car and in all weather. It also works out relative speeds of the Mazda 6 and the car in your blind spot, and won’t light up when you are overtaking the other vehicle or in slow moving traffic.

The new engine and ‘Rear Vehicle Monitoring System’ will be introduced into the Mazda 6 range from January 2009.