With over 2.4 million Mazda 2’s sold worldwide since 2002, expectations for the company’s latest small 5-door hatchback are high. Unveiled today, the 2016 Mazda 2 features the same “Kodo” design language as the 3 and 5 series and will be offered with a range of engines including a 1.5 liter diesel SKYACTIV engine.
Looking remarkably similar and with only the nose exposed you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference between the Mazda 2 and its sibling the Mazda 3. The 2 now shares the same oversized grille work, angular headlights and sloping nose treatment as the 3 and 5 series, while along the flanks the new 2 shows design similarities to the Hazumi Concept unveiled in Geneva earlier this year. Where the C-pillar brings the roof and tailgate together is more angular than the previous model, but the car still manages to retains its visual presence.
Under the hood the new Mazda 2 will provide buyers a range of powerplant options, with a choice of gas or diesel engines. The cars will feature variations of Mazda’s highly successful, highly economical SKYACTIV powertrains. In Japan a G version of the engine with 1.3 liters of displacement will be available as well as a D version, which is the 1.5 liter diesel variant. The smallish diesel engine will generate only 105 hp but will twist out an impressive 184 ft. lb (250 Nm) of torque at a low 1,500 rpm. Transmission options will vary depending on the market as well.
Mazda says that new active safety features known as i-ACTIVSENSE will aid drivers in identifying and responding quicker to road hazards, while a next-gen connectivity system will enhance the infotainment experience.
More information on vehicle specifications for other markets, including the US, will become available as we get closer to regional release dates.
The 2016 Mazda 2 will start rolling out of Mazda’s Hofu plant this September.
Source: Mazda
Also, Toyota will be selling a rebadged Mazda2. For the Americas, the Mazda and Toyota will roll off a new assembly line in Mexico.
It is normal that in many industries to refer to anything put on the market later than spring as next years models, as if that somehow makes a difference regretfully I guess it somehow does and I'm betting it is marketing that is doing such BS moves. I've noticed that with high end bicycles there seems to be sort of a competition between brands on when to bring next years model - it is sort of underhanded but the up side is that means one can often buy "last years" models in the middle of a year at bargain price.