TORONTO — Mazda is rolling out its 2011 Mazda 2 five-door hatchback at the 2010 Canadian Auto Show here. The new model will go on sale in North America in "late summer," Mazda said. Its new space-enhancing interior design was unveiled on Thursday at the show.
The car is being billed as "Zoom-Zoom in its most concentrated form." The Mazda 2 was first launched in 2007 and was named World Car of the Year at the 2008 New York Auto Show. The new model for 2011 gets a revised, more wedgelike exterior along with the new interior design.
Mazda has upgraded the steering and brake systems, cut weight, improved aerodynamics and achieved better ride quality on the new Mazda 2, which it says "draws much from the legendary MX-5."
Forward visibility, improved by optimizing the A-pillar shape and lowering the beltline, means the car is "surprisingly open and roomy," according to Mazda. The instrument panel concentrates controls in the center and curves the edges forward and away from the occupants as another way to give a spacious feeling. Black and silver dominate in the interior color scheme.
Mazda is also showing the Mazda 2 as a trio of concepts, the 2Evil Special weekend racer and the Active2 Surf and Snow concepts, all with more aggressive and personalized looks. The concepts previously were shown at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show.
Pricing and full specifications on the 2011 Mazda 2 will be announced later, Mazda said.
Inside Line says: A little bargain package of fun from Mazda. — Laura Sky Brown, Correspondent
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erik25 says:
01:17 PM, 02/21/2010
Why they don't test the Mazda 2 already as they did with the "Euro Ford Fiesta"?
Ofcourse,this one is made in Japan.......but still,i think the Mazda is better in quality than the Fiesta,also when it looks more expensive,used it will not bring more than the less cheaper Mazda 2.
It's a bit lighter than the Fiesta with lesser HP,so this will make up to it,and in the corners more fun!
Will make a test drive in both and see if there is much of a difference,let the summer be there soon.
Can't wait to get rid of my Honda!!!
jstandefer says:
02:17 PM, 02/11/2010
I remember thinking I would really be excited about this car if they ever brought it over to the U.S. However, at the San Diego Auto Show last month, I saw it in person. Not bad, but the big problem was that 100 feet away was the Ford Fiesta display. Inside and out, the Fiesta looks like a more expensive and higher quality car. The Mazda2 looked pretty much like I would expect a car in that price range to look. And from how much attention the Fiestas got at that show (wait in line to sit in either of the models), compared to the occasional glance that the Mazda2 garnered, I think most people feel the same. Once upon a time, it was the other way around...
thedream21479 says:
12:11 PM, 02/11/2010
I drove this thing as a rental in Moscow. Not a bad little car at all. Had much more character than a typical small car in Russia (the Hyundai Getz, the Renault Magane, etc). Should be a good seller in the North America
carguy622 says:
11:05 AM, 02/11/2010
I'm thinking the Fiesta has a much nicer interior.
thejohnp says:
09:27 AM, 02/11/2010
The non folding flat backseats are a bit of a disappointment. That bi-level effect is the same thing I found in the Versa and one of the dealbreakers that kept me from getting it.
blueprint1 says:
09:27 AM, 02/11/2010
Actually, the Canadian launch of the Mazda 2 was made a month ago at the Montreal Auto Show, and the concepts were there too.