Mark came to us with his Mazda 6 / Atenza 2.0L, and to be honest, he wasn’t impressed with the car at all. Despite Mazda’s reputation for engineering balance and reliability, his particular Atenza had one glaring issue: a frustrating flat spot in the power delivery. Every time he pulled away from a standstill or tried to accelerate smoothly, the car hesitated. It made the driving experience feel sluggish and underwhelming—enough that Mark was seriously considering selling the car altogether.
After a chat with Lars in our Auckland workshop, Mark discovered that this wasn’t the end of the road for his Atenza. The factory calibration was conservative, leaving performance on the table, and the flat spot could be addressed with a precise engine remap. We explained the process step by step—how we read the factory ECU, analysed the maps, and applied targeted changes to fuelling, ignition timing, and torque management. No generic shortcuts, just proper OEM-level calibration designed to fix the problem and transform the way the car drove.
Here’s what Mark had to say once the job was done:
“I was planning on selling my car till I got talking to Lars. He told me exactly what could be done and he delivered on it.”
“My car performs so much better and is now a pleasure to drive—even my 18 year old son thinks so!!”
The difference was clear immediately. The dreaded flat spot was gone, replaced with smooth and consistent acceleration. Low-down torque came in earlier, making the car feel lighter on its feet and far more responsive in city traffic. The mid-range pull was also stronger, which meant overtaking no longer felt like a chore. In Mark’s own words, the car was transformed from something he didn’t enjoy driving into something he and his family now genuinely look forward to using.
This is exactly why we do what we do at Auto Upgrades. Factory settings often prioritise fuel economy regulations and broad-market reliability over driver enjoyment. With careful recalibration, we can keep the reliability while dramatically improving performance and drivability. In the case of Mark’s Mazda 6 / Atenza 2.0L, that meant taking a car on the chopping block and turning it into one that the whole family enjoys again.
If you own a Mazda 6 / Atenza—or any Mazda with a similar 2.0L setup—and you’ve noticed hesitation, flat spots, or just a general lack of punch, there’s a good chance we can sort it. Our tuning doesn’t just add horsepower on a dyno sheet; it makes your car more rewarding to drive every day. Mark’s story is proof that the right calibration can completely change how a car feels without compromising the smoothness or reliability Mazda drivers love.
Thanks again for trusting us with your car, Mark. Enjoy the drive—and enjoy the fact that your son approves too!