2015 Mazda2 revealed with Australian specs 24-hours after images of the new model were leaked online.
THE INTERNET STRUCK AGAIN as images of the new Mazda2 leaked online 24-hours ahead its official unveiling. Locally, the Mazda2 goes on-sale in the last quarter of this year (2014).
According to Mazda, the all-new Mazda2 will be available with three different engines, dependant on market, including SKYACTIV-G 1.5- and 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engines, or a SKYACTIV-D 1.5-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine. These will be mated to either a six-speed manual or a CVT, which replaces the current-generation Mazda2’s aging four-speed automatic.
The all-new Mazda2 gets the KODO – Soul of Motion design treatment applied to the likes of the CX-5, Mazda3 and Mazda6, which gives the small car a more purposeful look – the old car looked like it was smiling. The new Mazda2 is also slightly bigger (longer and taller with a larger footprint – space between the wheels) than its predecessor which means there’s more room inside, particularly for backseat passengers.
Inside, the Mazda3 has taken styling cues from the larger Mazda3, featuring Mazda’s MZD Connect – its next-generation car connectivity system. And, in a first for the Mazda2, Mazda’s offering its i-ACTIVSENSE safety system, and this includes things like high-beam control, radar cruise control, forward obstruction warning, lane departure warning and more.
Locally, Mazda hasn’t released pricing for the Mazda2 but it’ll hope to keep pricing within cooee of the current model’s price which ranges from $15,790 (+ORC) for the Mazda2 Neo Sport up to $18,500 (+ORC) for the Maxx Sport.
The Mazda2 has been Australia’s favourite light car two out of the past three years, and that’s an impressive result for a car right at the end of its eight-year life-cycle. We’ll have more information as it comes to hand.
