Mazda makes stylish move with its new 2
Mazda has revealed its upcoming next-generation Mazda2 light car ahead of its arrival later this year.
As expected, the all-new 2 closely resembles the Hazumi concept the company unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
Sticking with the Kodo design approach found on the latest Mazda6, CX-5 and Mazda3, the first official images released to the world's press show an emphasis on sharper lines and a more sporty appearance than the outgoing model.
Redesigned headlamps, far larger front grille and front spoiler give the 2 a surprisingly aggressive face, while the contoured side panels combine with the free-flowing roof line to help create a sense of motion - something Mazda says is a key ingredient of the Kodo design philosophy.
Inside, things are unsurprisingly less futuristic and "concept-y" than the Hazumi vehicle, yet it maintains much of the basic elements.
The interior shot is of what is presumably one of the top-spec variants and appears to be a vast upgrade over the current incarnation's cabin.
While the exact technologies that will be available in the new 2 aren't yet known, the interior seems to closely resemble the Mazda3, with the infotainment screen positioned close to the driver and a console-mounted dial to control it in lieu of a touch- screen system.
It's therefore not crazy to expect the Mazda2 will share the same perks as its big brother; the top- spec Mazda3 SP25 Astina counts daytime LEDs, heated seats and leather trim among its features, while a head-up display, sat nav and a range of safety tech, including emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, also appear elsewhere in the range.
As previously reported, Australians can expect a choice of two 1.5-litre petrol engines. Lower-end variants will have the new SkyActiv unit found in the prototype featured in WestWHEELS recently. It's in the realm of 79kW and 139Nm, which is a slight improvement over the current generation's 1.5-litre engine though fuel economy is expected to be improved.
Higher up the Mazda2 food chain will see models receive a more finely tuned 82kW/144Nm 1.5-litre petrol which will further improve performance and fuel economy.
We also know a 1.5-litre "clean" diesel unit offered overseas won't make it here due to a lack of demand in the segment, the price premium usually attached to diesel engines and the petrol powerplants are expected to deliver low fuel consumption.
However, given the choice of engines and the Mazda3's many different variants spanning a wide price range, it's expected the Mazda2 line-up will have far more options than the three variants of the outgoing model that were available for a long time - and the two variants currently on offer.
Mazda will be licking its lips ahead of the Mazda2's arrival in Australian showrooms at the tail end of this year given, despite its age, the outgoing 2 has still accounted for 13.1 per cent of sales in the sub-$25,000 light car segment, behind only the Hyundai i20 (15.3) for market share.
