The new Mazda6 is one of the most important debuts of this year’s Paris Motor Show. The highly anticipated family saloon makes it European debut at the show, showcasing a full utilization of the new KODO design language and the latest Mazda has to offer with their SKYACTIV technologies.

The new SKYACTIV engine lineup the Mazda6 will benefit from includes two petrol engines and two diesels paired to six-speed automatic or manual transmissions. SKYACTIV-G petrol engines include the 2.0-litre 145ps and the 2.0-litre 165ps both producing 210Nm at 4,000rpm. SKYACTIV-D diesel engines include the 2.2-litre 150ps producing 380Nm at 2,000rpm and the 2.2-litre 175ps producing 420Nm at 2,000rpm.

The affordable saloon also gets the i-ELOOP, the Japanese company’s unique brake energy regeneration system, which is a first for this class, and in combination with the  ‘i-stop’ idle-stop system helps the 6 to achieves incredibly low CO2 figures (final specs are yet to be confirmed).

Anotehr area where you really feel the advantage of SKYACTIV technologies is the bodyshell and the chassis. Thanks to complicated production methods and materials, Mazda6 has a very rigid body which is good for protection in case of a crash, and also helps with handling. But at the same time it is as light as possible.

The new Mazda6 also gets the latest infotainment technologies, including an 11-speaker BOSEsurround sound audio system. The car goes on sale in January 2013 –  in both sedan and Tourer variants – priced from £19,595 to £28,045 (UK).