Currently reading: More agility and economy for next Mazda 2

The new Mazda 2 will be critical in returning Mazda to its pre-recession position when it launches next year

Mazda is predicting a lighter, more agile and more frugal replacement for the next-generation Mazda 2 supermini, based on the Hazumi concept shown at the Geneva motor show.

The new Mazda 2 is all-new and based on a downsized version of the Mazda 3/Mazda 6 ‘Skyactiv’ platform, modified with a lower-cost twist-beam rear axle.

The concept was shown with a 1.5-litre diesel, which will appeal to fleet buyers, but the key engine is the 1.5-petrol, which will sell to private buyers.

Its design was a collaborative effort led by Japan, but with input from studios in Germany and California.

The dominant theme is prominent wheel arches and distinctive folds and creases in the sheet metal, as used on the Mazda 3 and Mazda 6, under Mazda’s Kodo design language

Mazda also expects the new 2 to lift sales across Europe, which are recovering back to pre-economic crisis levels.

The latest sales figures suggest that in the past 12 months Mazda has sold 160,000 units, a significant improvement on the 126,000 sold in the same period last year.

‘We are continuing to concentrate on recovery and building up sales of our core models,’ says Phil Waring, Mazda Europe boss.

UK sales of the Mazda 2 particularly need a boost after falling back from a peak of around 14,000 just after launch to around 9000 now.

The Mazda 2 is expected to go on sale in the UK in spring next year, a little later than expected after the launch dates in the UK and mainland Europe were aligned.

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Back in 2008 the Mazda 2 was voted World Car of the Year. Considering the car’s engineering thoroughness and individuality, that shouldn’t be a surprise.

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peterover 9 March 2014

Reminds me of the Alfa mito,

Reminds me of the Alfa mito, nice but plenty of more attractive choices out there!
fadyady 9 March 2014

Well, ...

The latest batch of European superminis offer 0 VED in petrol guise. Mazda's SkyActive technology won't be much if doesn't manage to slip a petrol model of the new 2 under the magic number. As for looks, the rear reminds me of the Mito.
C2_Matt 9 March 2014

Losing 5000 sales isn't that

Losing 5000 sales isn't that bad considering it's one of the older supermini's currently on sale and also towards the end of it's sales life.

fadyady wrote:

The latest batch of European superminis offer 0 VED in petrol guise. Mazda's SkyActive technology won't be much if doesn't manage to slip a petrol model of the new 2 under the magic number. As for looks, the rear reminds me of the Mito.

It looks like how the MiTo should've looked with a set of Guilletta style rear lights.

iamnotbritishan... 9 March 2014

What a pretty little thing

What a pretty little thing