Fuel economy is rated from 5.5L/100km for six-speed manual models with the six-speed automatic variants still likely to come below 6L/100km.
Pricing and specification details remain entirely sketchy at this stage, but based on our quick drive at Mazda’s proving grounds in Mine city, located in the Yamaguchi Prefecture, we can report the new Mazda 2 is sure to surprise not just in terms of driving dynamics, but also through the introduction of so many active safety technologies into the light car segment.
Our test car was the European spec 1.5-litre petrol coupled to a six-speed manual transmission providing just 55kW of power and 135Nm of torque. Despite its significant power disadvantage over Australian-bound models, it nevertheless proved an reasonably engaging package at the limit.
Around the test track the new Mazda 2 floated around more than we expected but still delivered a competent drive â€" but short of what we’d expect from today’s class-leading Mazdas.
The six-speed gearbox was smooth and effortless in its operation, while the electrically assisted steering system showed occasional signs of vagueness, though as with all criticism voiced here, we must emphasise the test vehicle’s prototype status.
Perhaps the biggest change is the ride comfort, which (on our overseas test car at least) was much softer than before. For a city car this makes perfect sense, given it’s likely to inhabit plenty of poorly surfaced roads, but we would be lying if we didn’t admit we miss the sportier nature of the previous model.
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