Revised Mazda2 gets six airbags

MAZDA will become the first mainstream car-maker to offer six airbags and ABS across its passenger car range – excluding the MPV and MX-5 - in January.

The Mazda2 will become the first vehicle in the light car segment to offer six airbags – including dual-stage front airbags, side curtain airbags and front seat-mounted side airbags.

Standard on the Mazda2 Genki flagship, an additional four airbags (taking the count to six) and ABS brakes with Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist will be available on the Mazda2 Neo and Maxx for $1200.

The Mazda6 sedan, hatch and wagon range will become the first medium vehicles to offer six airbags and ABS/EBD/BA as standard, while the impressive level of passive safety will also be standard on the all-new Mazda3 Maxx and SP23 launched in January.

The same level of occupant protection will be available on the entry level Mazda3 Neo for $1600, while the RX-8 sports car has offered similar standard safety features since its July release.

Mazda Australia says Mazda2’s new optional safety specification offers better value than Hyundai’s “extra safety pack” for Accent and Getz (which add ABS and alloy wheels to standard twin front airbags for $2400), making leading-edge safety more affordable for a larger number of Australian car buyers. Alloy wheels on the Mazda2 cost $800.

The base 82kW 1.5-litre Mazda2 Neo will continue to sell from $18,490. However, Honda’s $16,990 entry-level 61kW 1.3-litre Jazz GLi offers twin front airbags, ABS with EBD as standard, but charges $2000 extra for air-conditioning.

Honda also offers the 81kW 1.5-litre Jazz VTi with air-conditioning, twin front airbags (but no side and curtain airbags) and ABS with EBD for $19,990 – $300 more than the base Mazda2 with the safety pack.

Other changes to the revised Mazda2 range will include the addition of dark blue interior trim panels along the top of each door, and more upmarket dark blue seat upholstery for with a mesh weave finish for the Neo.

Maxx models will share the range-topping Genki’s sporty metal-mesh and embossed knit trim, while the Genki itself adds brushed alloy-look finishes to its door armrests, internal door handles and instrument surrounds.

Externally, the revised Mazda2 range is differentiated by new tail-lights incorporating separate elements like Mazda3 and Mazda6. Winning Blue mica and Platinum Silver paint colours have been added to an 11-colour paint range. Mica or metallic paint is a no-cost option.

Mazda claims to be the first mainstream manufacturer to offer six airbags across its passenger car range despite VFACTS categorising its MPV people-mover – which last month added front seat-mounted side airbags to its standard equipment list that already included twin front airbags and ABS, bringing its airbag count to four – as a passenger vehicle.