First look: Mazda2 ups the tempo

MAZDA has revealed it will launch its replacement for the 121 in Australia in November priced from under $18,000, after being previewed at the Sydney motor show in October.

The approximate starting price for the Mazda2 was released today along with some specifications, a photo of the cockpit and a partial exterior photo that shows some of the front of the car, including the new "family" five-point grille.

To give you a better idea of how the car will look, our graphic artist Norm Robinson has grafted what we can see of the red production car onto the virtually identical gold MX Sport Runabout concept car which previewed the 2 at the Geneva show this year.

The Mazda2 will arrive around the same time as Honda's new light car contender, the Jazz - the two models promising to further fragment the entry level class.

The two Japanese entrants will sit above the likes of the Hyundai Accent and forthcoming Getz at the "driveaway" end of the category and below the "premium light" contenders from Europe - the Peugeot 206, Renault Clio and just launched Volkswagen Polo.

The Mazda2 will be offered only as a five-door hatchback and only with a new 1.5-litre, four-cylinder engine. The old car - also only a five-door - came with the choice of 1.3 and 1.5-litre engines.

In raw terms, the 2 is more expensive than the 121, which starts at $16,285 for the 1.3-litre manual. However, the 1.5-litre 121 manual is priced at a hefty $19,240, meaning the 2 significantly undercuts that.

Mazda Australia national marketing manager Martin Benders said the company was not expecting to achieve sales anywhere near the halcyon days of 1997 when the 121 averaged 715 sales per month, but was still hoping to sell more than 200 per month.

He admitted some sales would be lost because of the lack of a 1.3 engine, Mazda Australia only recently taking the decision not to offer that powerplant as well as the 1.5.

"With the current vehicle we have used the 1.3 as our entry level fighter against the likes of the $14,990 cars because we don't have a three-door version and so we have tried to fight them with a smaller engine," Mr Benders said.

"But really, going back from a 1.5 to a 1.3-litre engine doesn't save you a hell of a lot in real cost terms and we were really forcing the car into that area.

"We've decided this car is good enough to live in its own area and we think that's at the upper end of that segment.

"We think we can offer something that's better than the stuff at the bottom end and competitive with the Europeans at the top." Two Mazda2 model levels will be offered, the base spec including air-conditioning, a CD player, central locking, power steering and driver's seat height adjustment.

Safety equipment is impressive and includes dual-stage front airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners with load-limiters, anti-whiplash front seats and lap-sash seatbelts all-round.

A revised five-speed manual gearbox is standard and a four-speed auto is optional. Metallic paint will be a no-cost option.

The 1.5 is an all-new member of the MZR family which also powers the Mazda6 mid-sizer launched in Australia in August. Complete with Mazda's version of variable valve timing, S-VT, it produces 82kW at 6000rpm and 141Nm.

Mazda also says the platform and strut front and torsion beam rear suspension are new while the 2 has bigger brakes than the 121.

Although Honda has yet to release specific details on the five-door Jazz, it seems pricing, specification and arrival time will be very close to the Mazda2.

"In terms of the information Mazda has put out, we will be comparable," said Honda Australia planning manager Justin Orr.

"But we are staying tight-lipped on final prices and specs however. We'll probably have more to say in about a month."