BJ Premacy Series II

The Premacy was already two years old when it went on sale in early 2001, so the arrival of the facelifted Series II just over a year later was no surprise.

Launched in April ’02, it formed part of a facelift that saw a new nose, redesigned taillights and a more upmarket cabin trim.

A 2.0-litre engine offering 98kW at 6000rpm and 174Nm at 4500rpm gives more grunt than the 1.8 it usurped, while the body is stronger and quieter, the suspension refined and the seats redesigned for improved support.

But it seems Australian new-car buyers were not sufficiently convinced of the virtues of the Space Hatch, electing to choose the ever-popular compact SUV 4WD wagons instead.

Mazda discontinued the Premacy here in the middle of 2003, but unveiled its second-generation, BK Mazda3-based replacement in 2004. Although it was dubbed Premacy in Japan Europe now knows this acclaimed car as the ‘Mazda5’.

Sadly it was not destined for Australia.