B-segment hatch gets tweaked looks and more driver-assist tech.
Its face looks like an MG’s…
After being on the market in its current generation for five years, Mazda has given its 2 hatchback a facelift in Japan, where it was previously known as the Demio.
Exterior changes include a new grille and head light design making it look like those in several of MG’s current offerings. The 2’s rear bumper has also been restyled.
The interior, meanwhile, has been updated with new seat upholstery. As well, more driver-assist features have filtered down from larger Mazdas into the 2 including active cruise control, lane-keep assist and adaptive head lights.
The Japanese-spec 2 receives 1.5-litre petrol and 1.8-litre diesel engines, both mated to either six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
While most mid-life updates usually occur after three years on the market, the 2 in its current generation has taken five years before such an update took place. This points to it success in many world markets including Thailand.
But the Thai-spec 2 has smaller engines…
That’s right, due to Ecocar rules stipulating a maximum 1,500cc displacement for diesel and 1,300cc for petrol engines. And while the facelift has been announced just for the hatchback in Japan, one for the sedan variant (an important body style in Thailand) has yet to be revealed.
Mazda Sales Thailand has plans of selling its updated B-segment hatch and sedan in the coming months. But it won’t be as smooth-sailing as in the pre-facelift 2 due to pending all-new models from rival brands.
Within this year, there’s the Honda City and Nissan Almera sedans, plus the Honda Jazz and Toyota Yaris hatchbacks. Turbocharged engines are set to come into play leaving the 2’s 1.3-litre non-turbo petrol in a more precarious position now.
All those new models need to comply with Ecocar II rules, that is, a 23.3kpl fuel economy minimum and 100g/km CO2 maximum; Ecocar I regs include 20kpl and 120g/km.
