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Mazda 2 previewed ahead of 2015 launch

2015 Mazda2 Rear 2015 Mazda2 Front 2015 Mazda2 Interior
Adam Schoeman

Mazda has previewed their new super-mini, the Mazda 2, ahead of its official 2015 release.

The car is the fourth Mazda model to receive the full SkyActiv treatment, a design methodology that Mazda has been using to create light and frugal vehicles.

But that doesn’t mean that the car will be a boring model, focusing only on fuel consumption, as Mazda has said that they are pitching the 2 as a combination of “performance, fuel economy, safety, and driving fun.”

The car will be released in four variants, three of which are petrol and one diesel. The petrol versions will all use the same basic 1,5-litre engine but in different stages of tuning and will all be Euro 6 emissions complaint.

The entry level petrol will produce 56 kW and 135 Nm of torque which Mazda says will be enough to grant it a 0-100km/h time of 12.1 seconds and a top speed of 170 km/h. The 66 kW petrol will be the most frugal of the lot and will return a claimed fuel consumption of 4.5 l/100km while producing 105g of C02 per kilometre.

At the top of the petrol range is a 84 kW i-Eloop equipped engine that Mazda says will be able to execute a standing sprint to 100km/h in 8.7 seconds.

The diesel option will also be a 1,5-litre turbodiesel that will produce 56 kW and a meaty 220 Nm of torque. While it will take 10.1 seconds to get to 100km/h it will manage to only use 3.9 litres of fuel per 100km and have an emissions rating of 89g/km.

2015 Mazda2 Front

2015 Mazda2 Front

As Mazda has said, one of the core concepts of the SkyActiv way of design to lightness, which can been seen in the 2’s estimated weight of 1045kg. This means that while the engines are not particularly powerful, the car will have improved acceleration, handling and braking.

The 2 will share a lot with the Mazda’s larger hatchback, the 3, as they are built on a similar structure but the 2 will also feature a lower-cost twist-beam rear axle, compared to the multi-link system of the 3.

2015 Mazda2 Interior

2015 Mazda2 Interior

Mazda has also endeavoured to make the 2 a more refined model. The exterior has already been helped by the Kodo design language which makes the car look modern and sleek, but the interior has also been given a complete makeover.

Mazda says that higher quality materials have been used and that the amount of switchgear has been scaled back dramatically, thanks to the introduction of the MZD Connect in-car connectivity system. The system links the drivers smart phone to the car and can be controlled through a central display.

The car will also be introduced with a series of active safety technologies that fall under the i-Activesense banner, but will be optional.

The 2 is expected to be released in Europe early next year, with local sales to follow shortly thereafter.

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