Launched in October 2007 as Mazda's first new-generation vehicle to be evolved to a new level, the all-new Mazda 2 was an immediate hit with European customers, finding more than 18.000 owners through January 2008. Now Mazda 2 is about to get more popular with a new three-door hatchback model that is more affordable.

Design

The new Mazda 2 three-door hatchback builds on the five-door hatchback's exterior design - that evokes movement and athleticism using unique body panel articulation and compact dimensions. Its rear side window has a unique shape that, when combined with Mazda 2's rising belt line and wedge shape, communicates a fun-to-drive character. And its eye-catching design is also 4 per cent more aerodynamic than the old Mazda 2 with a coefficient of drag (Cd) of 0.31 and a coefficient of lift (CLF) of 0.02, which helps reduce fuel consumption and operating costs, which is important to young, first-time buyers. For more sporty-minded customers, a sports appearance package is available with a special front bumper design and side sills that visually lower the car's centre of gravity, and a rear roof spoiler. On the inside, a dark keynote colour contrasts with white instruments, silver accents, a three-spoke steering wheel similar to the Mazda MX-5 roadster, a silver ringed driver cluster and centre-console mounted shift lever for an ambiance that is both sporty and high quality.

Mazda 2 Three-door Hatchback Show Car

Under the spotlights of the Mazda stand is a Mazda 2 Three-door designed especially for the 2008 Geneva Motor Show that emphasises the car's sporty nature. Its exterior design is even more eye-catching painted in the special red mica colour as the Mazda concept Ryuga shown at the Detroit Motor Show in 2007, has the line-up's exterior Sports Appearance Package enhanced by a special lowered suspension and wider tread, projector-type headlamps and special 16-inch colour wheels.

On the inside, the sporty theme continues with Recaro® seats in racy red and black two-tone, and matching red stitching on the leather steering wheel with a painted bezel. The driver cluster has meter rings and the door trim has leather inserts and panels in special paint.

Comfort, Functionality and Equipment

As with the 5-door hatchback version, the new Mazda 2 three-door hatchback has a roomy interior, despite its compact and dynamic exterior design. The three-door version includes handy walk-in functionally, which tips the seatback forward and slides the passenger seat forward for one of the segment's widest access widths for easy entry. It then returns to its original position. Once inside, passengers find themselves in a roomy and comfortable interior. A relatively long wheelbase (2,490 mm), an innovative roof header shape, reduced roof-lining thickness and a lower rear hip point height combine to deliver plenty of head, shoulder and leg room both front and back. The driver's seat can be slide adjusted up to 250 mm and height adjusted up to 55 mm. This is combined with adjustable steering wheel height (but not reach adjustable), a centre console-mounted manual shift lever for a sporty, wrap-around cockpit with room for people of nearly all shapes and sizes.

The higher shift lever placement makes room between the front seats for a floor console with a drink holder in the front and a storage tray in the rear large enough for a woman's handbag, along with an AUX jack for plugging in an MP3 player to use with the car's audio system (depending on grade) and a 12 volt power socket that can be used to power or charge electrical accessories. Other handy storage compartments include a unique magazine rack in the glove compartment, front door pockets with space for a half-litre bottle and an A4 atlas, and three compartments in the dashboard for smaller items. The luggage capacities are unchanged compared to the hatchback version. Behind the rear seats is a 250 litre luggage compartment that can hold two suitcases or a stroller, and can be extended to 787 litres when the rear seats are folded (60/40 functionality for all grades except the base model) to take larger items.

Mazda 2 three-door hatchback will be offered in three grades (depending on market) with a full slate of equipment for young, fun-minded drivers. The base grade includes remote central locking, electric adjustable side mirrors, electric power assist steering and ABS. The higher two grades include six airbags, heated and retractable door mirrors, 15 or 16-inch aluminium alloy wheels, manual or automatic air-conditioning, power front windows, rain and light sensor system, adjustable speed warning system, cruise control (1.5-litre petrol with board computer only), dynamic stability control (DSC), and keyless entry and start system, among other features.

Powertrains

Mazda 2 three-door hatchback comes with the same petrol powertrain line-up as the five-door hatchback. The base MZR 1.3-litre aggregate has variable valve timing and comes in two power derivatives (depending on market): a Standard Power version producing 55 kW and a High Power version producing 76 kW. Both use 5.4 litres of petrol per 100 km and produce a low 129 g/km of CO2 emissions. The largest petrol engine is an MZR 1.5-litre that produces 76 kW of power, while using 5.9 litres of fuel per 100 km and producing 140 g/km of CO2. Also onboard is a MZ-CD 1.4-litre common-rail turbo diesel, special for the European market, with high fuel efficiency and low emissions. It produces 50 kW of maximum power at 4,000 rpm and 160 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm. At the same time, it uses 4.3 litres of fuel per 100 km (combined) and produces 114 g/km of CO2. All engines come with Mazda's five-speed manual transmission with gear ratios that are between 3 to 10 per cent higher than the outgoing five-speed, which contributes to lower fuel consumption.

Chassis and Safety

The new Mazda 2 three-door and five-door hatchback have a body shell that is nearly 100 kg lighter compared to the previous Mazda 2. By keeping vehicle weight under the 1,000 kg threshold, the new Mazda 2 reverses a general trend in the automotive industry of making each new model heavier. This result was achieved mostly by engineering solutions - like employing large amounts of strong yet light high-tensile steels and reducing weight wherever possible - but also by reducing the car's dimensions, making it agile with low fuel consumption and lower operating costs.