Mazda hasn’t been a player in the subcompact market for more than a decade, but that hasn’t stopped enthusiasts from calling on the Japanese automaker to import its world market Mazda2 to North America. Now, just weeks ahead of its official debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Mazda has released a teaser image of the car.
The teaser doesn’t give away much we didn’t already know – the U.S./Canada Mazda2 should more or less mirror the car sold in essentially every Mazda market outside of North America.
The Mazda2 is based on the same platform as the Ford Fiesta, which will also be unveiled in full U.S.-specification in LA. Though Mazda has yet to confirm any details, we expect the Mazda2 to be powered by a sub 2.0-liter four-cylinder and to be available in five-door hatchback and four-door sedan configurations. A three-door hatchback is also possible.
Pricing will certainly start below the base Mazda3’s $16,045 list price.
“You’ve asked us for it for a while now, and we’ve been studying the market to make sure we can make a business case for it across North America,” O’Sullivan told the dealers. “As consumers’ tastes and attitudes toward small vehicles have changed, we now believe strongly there is a place in our lineup for a car below our current least-expensive car, the Mazda3. Mazda2 will be true to everything that makes our cars stand apart from the competition: it will be stylish, fun-to-drive and a heck of a value.”
11/18, 10:05 AM
posted by:
6ix
Sounds like it should be a neat little car. There needs to be more premium small cars. You shouldn’t have to buy something enormous in order to get quality and a bit of luxury.
Heck, I might even look into trading off my 2009 CX7 Grand Touring for something like this. There really isn’t any reason for me to be driving something so large. I think a lot of people are starting to realize this as well.
11/18, 10:20 AM
posted by:
andy
i’d buy this little 2 as a hood ornament for my space shuttle towing- battleship tugging-behemoth of awesome http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/12/2009/11/500x_Dunkel_Industries.jpg
11/18, 10:44 AM
posted by:
swamprat
It looks far better than an Toyota Yawnis or a Honda Fit.
11/18, 11:06 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Mazdaspeed2.
11/18, 11:10 AM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
Another manufacturer holding the 3-door variant off to the side for future consideration. If they marketed it correctly I would think that they could overcome the US consumer’s perception of bad hatchbacks dating back to Pinto/Gremlin days by now
11/18, 11:25 AM
posted by:
ajm11
Mazda should bring back an updated version of the 1.8L V6 from the MX3 and make a MazdaSpeed2 with it.
11/18, 11:32 AM
posted by:
JakeK66
They should put the MazdaSpeed Protege’s 2.0L under the hood and boost the power to approx 180-190 and this thing will scoot!
11/18, 11:57 AM
posted by:
shaver
They should put a wenkle in the rear and call it Wenkle Protege MX-5 2.
11/18, 12:07 PM
posted by:
ayrtonJ
US-spec has different tail lights it seems. Are they going to make it uglier too like Honda adding about 7 inches to the front of the US-spec Fit compared to the better looking JDM-spec? I agree with a future release of a Mazdaspeed2!!!!
11/18, 1:48 PM
posted by:
ElvisHasLeftTheBldg
The JDM sport version also comes with a great set of projector beam headlamps, much more akin to the previous iteration of the 3. I hope we get the Sport with those, but my guess is they’re trying to make it cheaper to slot between the Yaris and Fit in price. Check the mazda.jp website for pics.
11/18, 4:36 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
You’re right ayrton.. the taillights are indeed different on the teaser pic. I hope that means they’ll leave the 4-door sedan at home and leave that ugly beast to Ford. A 3-door with these taillights would be fine with me!
11/18, 5:08 PM
posted by:
orangecones
@Denver…. Am I wrong to say that the Yaris 3dr is only very slightly behind in sales on the sedan, and of course with the relatively recent 5dr in last place for sales? Same for the Hyundai Accent….with the hatch only being very slightly behind the sedan? And both certainly profitable for their manufacturers. So why wouldn’t mazda toss in a 3-door to compete with the Yaris/Accent….small and cheap 3 door crowd.
11/18, 5:30 PM
posted by:
AutoCritical
The 2 is a very neat looking car – in terms of design, I think its been pipped by the fiesta. But as a seller, I think it will do very well.
Wonder about their options….
11/18, 5:37 PM
posted by:
bghewy
Hey guys this vehicle has been on sale in Australia now for quite some time and has proven to be a real winner with the Australian public. Funky styling and awesome build quality and reliability.
It deserves to do well in the states too.