Mazda has revealed the first official details and a prototype version of its third-generation Mazda2, before the final showroom model's appearance next month when production begins.
The new Mazda2 – the fourth all-SKYACTIV model following the CX-5 and latest Mazda6 and Mazda3 – will be launched in Japan in August, before arriving in Australia in late October.
Like the elegant Hazumi concept car that accurately previewed it, the redesigned version of Mazda's smallest model grows in all dimensions except width, riding on a 2570mm wheelbase (up 80mm) and measuring 4060mm long (up 160mm), an unchanged 1695mm wide and 1500mm high (up 25mm).
Its larger proportions liberate more leg and head room within the more upmarket interior, but cabin and cargo size statistics are yet to be announced.
As with the model it replaces in Australia, the MkIII Mazda2 will only be available in five-door hatchback form – as seen in spy shots we published in April, with Mazda ruling out a three-door hatch version and the Japanese brand's local arm ruling out a four-door sedan derivative.
Nor will a new 1.5-litre SKYACTIV-D turbo-diesel, which will be offered in Europe, be available here. Likewise, if a plug-in rotary-hybrid powertrain eventuates as expected, it won't be sold Down Under.
However, the next 2's shortened SKYACTIV platform will form the basis of an all-new compact SUV to slot below Mazda's top-selling CX-5, likely dubbed the CX-3, next year.
More importantly for light-car buyers, who made the existing model the top-selling car in its class last year, the 2 will be available for the first time with two engine options – two versions of a new 1.5-litre SKYACTIV-G petrol four.
Also helping to give it broader appeal than ever is the likely addition of a premium model variant that reintroduces the Genki nameplate (rather than, say, SP15) and is positioned above the existing Neo Sport and Maxx Sport grades.
Both 1.5-litre engines will be available with six-speed manual and automatic transmissions, replacing the current model's five-speed manual and four-speed auto.
Australia's entry-level Mazda2 will deliver 79kW/139Nm – up from 55kW/135Nm in Europe's base model – which is up only slightly from the current Mazda2's 76kW/135Nm 1.5.
Performance figures for the higher-output 1.5-litre engine are yet to be revealed, but a four-two-one exhaust, instead of the four-into-one exhaust used by both low-output engines, will deliver more power, torque and efficiency.
Mazda is claiming fuel consumption reductions of up to 20 per cent over the outgoing 2, which consumes 6.4L/100km (manual) and 6.8L/100km (auto).
That means all new Mazda2s should sip well under 6.0L/100km, and the most efficient manual model could consume less than 5.5L/100km, aided by fuel-saving measures such as an idle-stop function.
Also contributing here is a lighter new body that could weigh up to 100kg less than the MkII Mazda, which has a base kerb weight of 1010kg, meaning the new 2 should slip well under 1000kg.
This is despite being significantly larger and, claims Mazda, up to 30 per cent more rigid than before.
Underneath is familiar MacPherson strut front suspension and a redesigned torsion beam rear-end with relocated trailing arms to improve ride comfort and low/medium-speed stability.
Mazda says all models will come with suspension and steering tuned specifically for Australia, and standard wheel sizes should be 15-inch with 185/65 rubber.
The more spacious cabin, which is also claimed to be substantially quieter than before, comes courtesy of a front axle and A-pillars that are moved 50mm and 100mm further forward respectively, while Mazda says a larger windscreen and door-mounted wing mirrors increase forward vision.
An all-new cockpit-style dashboard features a Mazda3-style central colour touch-screen that displays infotainment functions controlled by a rotary dial on the centre console, just like the larger Mazda3 and 6.
Also present are three large circular air-vents, echoed by three instrument dials – including a large central tacho – and three air-conditioning control knobs.
Mazda says finding the optimum seating position was a top priority in the car's development, with other ergonomic upgrades including larger and more supportive front seats and an organ-style accelerator pedal.
Australian specifications will not be announced until closer to launch but the prototype Mazda2 seen here was equipped with climate-control (but no rear air outlets) and no fewer than five front-mounted cameras or sensors.
That suggests the new Mazda2 could be available with many of the advanced driver safety aids seen in larger Mazda models, including blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, radar cruise control, head-up display, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high-beam and two automatic braking systems, one with the ability to bring the car to a halt.
Mazda has confirmed the new 2 will be built in Mexico, Japan and Thailand, which has a free-trade agreement with Australia and is where our version is most likely to be built.
Although that's unlikely to spell lower base pricing, which currently stands at $15,790 plus $1650 for the auto, it should allow Mazda Australia to offer more value for money and a highly specified premium variant positioned well above the existing Maxx Sport auto range-topper's $18,580 plus ORCs price tag.