Mazda 2 - HATCHBACK - 2015

PRICE - SAR 47,000 & SAR 52,000

Fourth generation (DJ; 2015)

Pre-release

Reports of a new generation of the Mazda Demio emerged in 2013^[46][47] for a 2014 launch, with some manufacturing at the new Mazda plant in Mexico.^[45][48] The Mazda Hazumi Concept model (designed to preview the future Mazda 2 models) was unveiled at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show^[49], and in April 2014 the development mule of the new generation Demio was undergoing testing in Germany, covered in camouflage.^[50][51][52]

Initial release

In July 2014, Mazda officially revealed photos of the new Demio hatchback,^[53] and production began at Mazda's Hōfu plant.^[54] The sedan version debuted at the Thailand International Motor Expo in November 2014.^[55]
This version is built using a variation of Mazda's CX-5 platform, rather than Ford's DE platform used on the Ford Fiesta.^[56] It is longer than it was previously, with wider track front and rear, but has less interior room for rear-seat occupants and less front head and legroom.^[57]
In October 2014, the Demio was awarded the 2014-2015 "Car of the Year" by the Japan Car of the Year Committee.^[2]

Engines and Transmission

The Mazda2 will use Mazda's SKYACTIV-Drive automatic and SKYACTIV-MT manual gearboxes.,^[58] as well as stop-start technology ("i-STOP" turns the engine off when the car is stationary) and a brake energy regeneration system ("i-ELOOP" uses braking to charge a capacitor for all car electronics, in place of an alternator charging a battery).^[58]
The Mazda2 will initially be offered with a 1.5-litre petrol engine and a 1.5-litre diesel engine - the SkyActiv-D 1.5 diesel engine debuted at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.^[49] The petrol engine will be available with 74bhp, 89bhp or 113bhp, while the diesel will produce 104bhp.
Carbuyer.co.uk says that Mazda states the petrol engine will return 63mpg with emissions of 105g/km^[58], Motoring.com.au says it will return 43mpg (5.5L/100km).^[59] Carbuyer says that the diesel engine is capable of 83mpg with CO2 emissions of 89g/km.

Potential Electric version with Wankel Range Extender

Motoring magazine in Australia^[59] stated that Mazda was almost certain to produce a plug-in hybrid version of the new Mazda2. It implied a statement by Mazda Australia Managing Director Martin Benders, but may instead have been an assumption based on the recent prototype (a rotary-powered range-extender technology was recently trialled in the outgoing Mazda2). The article said that it would not be revealed at the new Mazda2's global launch.
The Electric Vehicle would be a series hybrid, or "Extended Range Electric Vehicle" (EREV), meaning that the electric motor would drive the car, and a generator would only charge the battery. The 1280 kg car would have a 200 kg, 20kWh lithium-ion battery pack, powering a 75 kW/150Nm electric motor.
The prototype range extender had incorporated a 28 kW rotary engine generator, a lightweight (100 kg) downsized (330cc) single-rotor Wankel engine. It would be mounted on its side under the rear of the vehicle via three mounting points (eliminating vertical vibration), and in the prototype testing showed the rotary engine was over 5dBa quieter at the same revs than an equivalent petrol or diesel piston engine.
A nine-litre fuel tank that can be filled with petrol, butane or propane would almost double the EV range (to 380 km). Range extended EVs in Japan and many US states can not receive incentives if they use a tank size which would provide more than double the EV-only range.