Mazda Australia appears to have announced a $15,990 starting for the third-generation Mazda2 due on sale late next month.
That would make the all-new five-door hatchback $200 more expensive than the outgoing Mazda2 at base level ($15,790) and $400 pricier than the cheapest (three-door) version of Australia's top-selling light car, the Hyundai i20 (from $15,590).
While the existing Mazda2 is now available for the run-out price of $15,990 drive-away with dealer-fitted Bluetooth connectivity, Volkswagen announced the same introductory price for its upgraded Polo last month.
Toyota is yet to announce pricing for its facelifted Yaris hatch, which will be slipped into showrooms later this month without press launch fanfare or the mechanical and multimedia upgrades offered in other markets.
The outgoing Yaris starts at $14,990 (three-door) and $15,690 (five-door), powered by 1.3- and 1.5-litre engines with five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions. The Yaris sedan continues virtually unchanged since 2006.
The $15,990 price appears on the All-New Mazda2 page of Mazda Australia's public website when customers input their postcode, indicating it is a drive-away price.
At the same time, Mazda has begun promoting its new 2 via a competition that will give away one of the new models, plus a 'day trip pack' worth $1500. Two further $1500 day trip packs are also on offer.
The main competition closes on October 30 and the winner of the new Mazda2 will be drawn at 2:00pm on November 5 and announced in The Australian newspaper on November 27.
Mazda says the total prize pool, comprising a new Mazda2 automatic, on-road costs and three $1500 day trip packs, is $32,500.
As we've reported, the new Mazda2 will be the first available with two different (1.5-litre SKYACTIV) petrol engines, six-speed manual and automatic transmissions, up to three equipment grades and a host of advanced technologies including i-ACTIVSENSE safety aids and MZD Connect infotainment.