Zoom-Zoom Jr.: Mazda2 at Geneva
The little green car you see here is Mazda’s brand new subcompact. As you would expect, being about a foot smaller than the compact 3, this product is called the 2. It will make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show early next month, and will go on sale later this year.
For those not in the know, the new Mazda2 is a big departure in style from the previous vehicle. The last generation car (and the one before it) was tall-bodied, upright machines that looked like a cross between a minivan and a wagon. That’s definitely not the case with the new 2, which follows closely in line with the organic and curvy styling of the Toyota Yaris, not to mention the generally sporty nature of all new Mazda models. There’s Mazda family resemblance in the shape of its narrow five-sided grille, and there are hints of the 3 in the way that the hood separates from the fenders, which meld into the doors, but the upward extending lights are something new. Upper and lower character lines flow from the sides of the car upwards, wrapping around the tail in a cohesive, stylish way.
Mazda has selected an assortment of gasoline and diesel engines for use in the 2, though the oil burners will be a late arrival to the party. At the car’s launch, two 1.3-litre engines will be available with different outputs - the first, an entry-level unit, makes 74 horsepower, while the second puts out a slightly more impressive 82 horsepower. The biggest engine that the 2 will be offered with (at this point in time) is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder with 101 horsepower and 100 lb-ft of torque. If Mazda were to import the 2 into North America it would be with this engine. Mind you, even then it would be slightly outclassed by every other subcompact here; not particularly zoom-zoomy. Honda’s Fit makes 109 horsepower, Toyota’s Yaris has 106 horsepower and the Hyundai/Kia subcompact twins make 110 horsepower. Expect a five-speed manual as standard, with an optional four-speed automatic.
Mazda will build all 2s at its plant in Hiroshima, Japan, as opposed to its current tactic where it built European-market cars in collaboration with Ford in Valencia Spain. The new Mazda2 will start production this summer, but we’re not exactly sure at this time if North Americans will ever get their hands on any. However, news that the platform will go global, with expected products from Ford of America, as well as offshoots in the form of a compact crossover/SUV, plus an open hole in Mazda’s North American lineup for a subcompact car indicate that there’s a good chance that we might see it, or something close to it.
