Official pics: Mazda reveals its new baby

MAZDA officially pulled back the cloak of secrecy on the exterior design of its all-new Mazda2 today, revealing a production model faithful to the Hazumi concept shown at the Geneva motor show in March.

To be launched in Australia in the fourth quarter of this year on a mission to reclaim the light-car sales crown from the Hyundai i20 and Toyota Yaris, the fourth-generation five-door hatchback has been revised from the ground up, with a new platform, new chassis and new powertrains, all infused with Mazda’s latest SkyActiv technologies.

Today’s big reveal was somewhat gazumped by leaked pictures that emerged on the web overnight, prematurely revealing the Japanese version, called Demio.

The official pictures shown here are also of the Japanese Demio, but the Australian Mazda2 version is expected to be identical with the same new-generation Kodo design language as the Mazda3, Mazda6 and CX-5.

Longer and taller than the previous model, the new Mazda2 is expected to have a premium look and feel, like a smaller Mazda3.

So far, the only configuration is the five-door hatch, but Mazda has not ruled out a sedan at a later date.

Mazda Australia sold a Mazda2 sedan in 2010 when it sourced the range from Thailand, but lost that variant when production for Australia switched back to Japan in early 2011.

The four-door model made up only 10 per cent of local sales, but it remains critical to many overseas markets where sedans rule.

The Hiroshima-based company today confirmed the global model will get three new four-cylinder engines from its Skyactiv portfolio, including a 1.5 petrol, 1.3 petrol and 1.5 diesel.

Mazda Australia is yet to confirm the powertrain line-up for this market, but expect the 1.5-litre petrol engine in two states of tune.

As GoAuto has reported, mainstream variants such as the Neo will be powered by a 79kW/139Nm unit, while the upper-series Maxx and Genki will get the 82kW/144Nm version that eclipses the current 1.5-litre MZR engine’s 76kW/135Nm.

The diesel is unlikely to make it here, as sales of diesel in the light-car class are almost non-existent.

Mazda promises a raft of new safety and connectivity technologies, including i-Activsense anti-crash systems and the latest MZD Connect phone, audio and navigation developments.

To be made in Japan for Australia, at Mazda’s highly ranked Hofu plant, the new Mazda2 replaces the highly successful current model launched in 2007.

That car – built on the same platform as the Ford Fiesta – was the top-selling car in its class in 2011 and 2013, running second to the Toyota Yaris in 2012.

Despite its age, the Mazda2 is holding down second place in the light-car category to the Hyundai i20 this year. However, Mazda2 sales have slipped 22.4 per cent, while i20 volumes have risen 23 per cent.

Pricing and final specifications for Australia will not be revealed until closer to launch.