Mazda has made an official release on its mid-size model, the Atenza, in Japan. More of a subtle nip-and-tuck than a full blown facelift, the 2011 MY Atenza has been refined with some styling changes, chassis tweaks and a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with direct injection.

The exterior enhancements for the freshened Mazda6 bring it inline with the firm's more recent models mainly by adopting the new Mazda family face with a five-point front grille.The front bumper has been redesigned and features more pronounced air-inlets on the corners. The newly styled 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels together with the revised tail lamp clusters complete the exterior makeover.

The interior updates are minor, with changes limited to the new glossy piano-black finish that has been applied to the center panel, audio and air conditioner panels, shift gate and steering wheel spokes. Climate control and audio dials, shift knob and inner door handles are now chrome garnished.

Underneath the hood, Mazda fitted the revised Atenza with its newly developed 2.0-liter DISI gasoline engine with direct injection, generating 153 PS at 6,200rpm and 189Nm of torque at 4,500rpm. It is slightly more powerful than the outgoing 2.0L powerplant but pales in comparison to the 2.0 Ecoboost unit that will be powering the revised Ford Mondeo.

The Japanese automaker commented that it has also tweaked the Atenza's power steering and suspension settings improving the car's handling and straight-line stability at high speeds as well the ride quality.