Well, to be honest, not much of a leak this time as only a couple of days remain before the all-new Mazda2 aka Mazda Demio in Japan, debuts at the 77th Geneva Motor Show. Unlike the current model whose conservative looks (unsuccessfully) balance between a semi-mini-mpv and a compact hatch, the new Mazda2 / Demio takes on a modern, you could even say a sporty approach to the mini-segment. That’s even more obvious in the versions fitted with the “Sports Appearance Package”. As you can see by the grey colored car in the pics, this pack adds a new front bumper with a wider and opposite angled air intake, a different grille, side skirts, a roof spoiler and larger alloys. Personally I like it however, I can’t help seeing some Toyota Yaris in it, but maybe that’s just me.
Despite the dark-colored interior trim of the car shown here, it’s obvious that Mazda designers wanted to create a “playful” environment for the Mazda2 – Demio. Maybe a bit too playful as the center console with the side air-vents looks like “Mickey-Mouse”, but ok, I definitely prefer this interior than the boring-to-death cabin of the current model.
There’s no official (full-length) press release out yet, but as noted in a previous post, we found a more analytical German press release on the car revealing that the 3.880 mm long and 1.690 mm wide Mazda2 –Demio will be offered in the beginning with three newly developed petrol engines: 1.3-liter producing 55 kW/75 HP and 62 kW/84 HP as well as a 1.5-liter with an output of 76 kW/103 HP. The new Mazda2 – Demio will go on sale in Europe in the summer with other markets following later on the year (the US will probably get it in 2008).
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