With the facelift, the JDM-spec supermini is switching from “Demio” to the “Mazda2” name.
The fourth-generation of the Mazda2 has been around for five years, but it’s only now the pint-sized hatchback is getting a mid-cycle refresh. Introduced today at home in Japan, the supermini has lost its “Demio” moniker by switching to the global Mazda2 name, a car you can get in North America for the 2020 model year as the Toyota Yaris hatchback.
The styling changes are on a subtle level, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing since the previous Mazda2 was already one of the most stylish models in its segment. It inherits some design traits from the gorgeous new Mazda3 and combines them with a more refined interior cabin where the new front seat design enables a more comfortable driving experience.
The 2020 Mazda2 bundles more tech than ever before as there are now adaptive LED headlights, a 360-degree monitor system, traffic sign recognition, and a lane-keeping assist system. The changes are actually skin-deep considering Mazda has revised the suspension to enable a more comfortable ride, while the interior’s refinement is better than before since the NVH levels have been lowered. In addition, buyers will be able to order the car with an optional heated steering wheel, six-way adjustable driver’s seat, radar cruise control, as well as an auto-dimming rearview mirror, while the infotainment system will support both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Over in Europe where all Mazda2s will be front-wheel drive, there’s going to be a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with either 75 or 90 horsepower and a six-speed manual gearbox or an optional six-speed auto for the more powerful unit. In its domestic market, the B-segment hatch will also be offered with a 1.8-liter diesel and all-wheel drive.
While in Japan sales will commence on September 12, European buyers will have to wait until early 2020 to get their hands on Mazda’s refreshed supermini.
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A high-quality driver’s car that enriches your daily life
HIROSHIMA, Japan-Mazda Motor Corporation has given its five-door subcompact hatchback a new design, new technology and a new name in the Japanese market. The Mazda Demio1 has been updated and renamed Mazda2 to emphasize the brand. Pre-orders for the new model start today at Mazda dealerships throughout Japan with sales set to begin on September 12.
Based on the concept of “a high-quality driver’s car that enriches your daily life,” the Mazda2 serves as a gateway to the Mazda brand that focuses on the customer’s experience of quality in their daily routine. In addition to raising visual and tactile quality in areas such as design and craftsmanship, the team worked to enhance fundamental vehicle attributes, such as handling stability, ride feel and cabin quietness, that relate to the quality feel of the ride or drive.
The exterior styling aims to impart an elegance that moves people emotionally. Honing the design by stripping away superfluous elements has revealed a sculpted form that is simple yet rich, enhancing the model’s freshness and presence on the road. The interior design aims to create a comfortable cabin space that invites you to drive or ride all day. The cabin is crafted to suit a diversity of lifestyles with carefully chosen materials and colors that balance quality and playfulness. In-cabin quietness has been improved based on research into human hearing, resulting in lower noise levels and a “higher-quality” quietness.
Concepts from the Skyactiv-Vehicle Architecture2 adopted in new-generation models have been applied in areas such as the seats and suspension. The aim is to make the driver feel at one with the car from the instant he or she touches the accelerator pedal, allowing him or her to relax and enjoy driving every day.
Furthermore, an enhanced lineup of features that support safety, peace of mind and a high-quality driving experience are available. Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC)3 now comes with Stop & Go functionality and Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH) improve visibility at night with 20 individually controlled LED arrays.
Moving forward, Mazda will continue to advance and mature its cars so customers can experience driving pleasure and outstanding environmental and safety performance in everyday driving situations. By energizing people physically and mentally and making clear the value of sticking with Mazda for the long term, the company aims to become a brand connected to customers by the strongest of bonds.
Updated Mazda2 Product Overview
High-quality exterior design
Improved driving experience
Pleasing cabin space
Enhanced comfort and convenience
Improved environmental performance
Expanded range of advanced safety features
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