Mazda’s entry-level hatchback has been given a few tweaks.
Revealed for the Japanese market, the Mazda 2 gains the option of wireless Apple CarPlay and a Qi wireless phone charging pad.
There have also been some tweaks made under the bonnet, while the Japanese automaker has also revealed a special Sunlit Citrus edition.
We’ve contacted Mazda Australia to confirm when these changes will appear in Australia. The updated car is already on sale in Japan.
Under the bonnet, Mazda has added what it calls Diagonal Vortex Combustion, that’s said to improve both emissions and fuel economy. It’ll also help the Mazda 2 reach a more favourable tax bracket in the Japanese market.
The compression ratio has been increased from 12:1 to 14:1, while Mazda claims fuel economy has been improved by 6.8 per cent.
Mazda will offer both a ‘regular’ and a high-compression naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre petrol four-cylinder engine in the Japanese market, both with 81kW of power.
The high-compression engine produces 142Nm of torque at 3500rpm, while the regular engine produces 141Nm at 4000rpm.
Mazda also continues to offer both an optional 1.5-litre turbo-diesel four and all-wheel drive in the Japanese market.
Mazda says the Diagonal Vortex Combustion technology came out of the development of its Skyactiv-X engines, used in the X20 Astina variants of the Mazda 3 and CX-30.
While wireless Apple CarPlay is now available, Android Auto continues to require a cable to be connected to your phone.
Unlikely to come to Australia is the Sunlit Citrus special edition, pictured here in the new Platinum Quartz metallic finish.
It features Grandlux artificial leather upholstery for the seats, dashboard and door trims with bright citrus-coloured accents.
The accents on the seats also feature a natty argyle pattern, while it comes fully-loaded with a head-up display, heated front seats and a surround-view camera.
While the likes of Ford and Hyundai have exited the mainstream light car segment, Mazda has committed to its 2 in Australia.
“We are absolutely committed to the car, it’s doing well,” Alastair Doak, marketing and product director for Mazda Australia, has previously told CarExpert.
“It’s an important segment – obviously, it’s a first car for many people. There’s also a niche there of last car for some people as well.”
“That’s the role Mazda 2 has played for us for a long time, and CX-3 also picks up some of that territory as well.”
With the demise of the Honda City, it’s also the only model in this segment in Australia to offer a sedan body style.
While the MG 3 is far and away the best seller in the light car segment now, with 6981 sales to the end of June 2021, almost everything else is evenly matched in sales.
The Mazda 2 is sitting in third with 2734 sales, just below the Toyota Yaris (3136) but ahead of the Suzuki Swift (2688), Kia Rio (2661) and Volkswagen Polo (2577).
MORE: Everything Mazda 2
