We had been waiting for it for quite a long time. Some lucky journalists, including our very own Matt Saint-Pierre, even had the opportunity to put it to the test in a short rally across Canada. But this time, it’s real, and it’s here! The Mazda2 is finally making its North American debut, more precisely at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
Mazda Motors President Takashi Yamanouchi, who made the official introduction, could barely hide his all-Japanese pride. "Nobody but Mazda could come up with a car like this," he boasted. The new Mazda2 carries the brand’s signature driving dynamics and sporty styling. It’s the perfect embodiment of the Mazda character."
Sure enough, the Mazda2 arrives here with a lot, and I mean a whole lot, of hype. After winning the title of World Car of the Year at the 2008 New York Auto Show, expectations are pretty high across the continent. And people won’t be disappointed according to Jim O’Sullivan, President and CEO of Mazda North America.
"Styling definitely lives up to expectations. We particularly strived to incorporate our own DNA and genes, while meeting the requirements of subcompact car buyers with regard to fuel economy and driving excitement," he said.
Aesthetically, the car shares many design cues with other Mazda products, including the smiling front grille and smooth, curvy lines of the Mazda3. The rear section with liftgate looks even sleeker and more modern, though.
Under the hood, little is known except that our Mazda2 will use a similar powertrain to the European model -- with a few tweaks, of course. The 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder engine is rated at 110 horsepower.
As for trims, features and pricing, we’ll have to wait a few more months. This information will be made available closer to the vehicle’s market release in mid-summer of 2010.
"In the meantime, Canadians will get a chance to admire the Mazda2 from every angle at the Montreal and Toronto auto shows," promised Don Romano, President of Mazda Canada. "I’m sure the car will be a smash hit from the get-go as it builds on the recipe that has made Mazda so successful in the country."
photo:Philippe Champoux
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Mazda Motors President Takashi Yamanouchi, who made the official introduction, could barely hide his all-Japanese pride. "Nobody but Mazda could come up with a car like this," he boasted. The new Mazda2 carries the brand’s signature driving dynamics and sporty styling. It’s the perfect embodiment of the Mazda character."
Sure enough, the Mazda2 arrives here with a lot, and I mean a whole lot, of hype. After winning the title of World Car of the Year at the 2008 New York Auto Show, expectations are pretty high across the continent. And people won’t be disappointed according to Jim O’Sullivan, President and CEO of Mazda North America.
"Styling definitely lives up to expectations. We particularly strived to incorporate our own DNA and genes, while meeting the requirements of subcompact car buyers with regard to fuel economy and driving excitement," he said.
Aesthetically, the car shares many design cues with other Mazda products, including the smiling front grille and smooth, curvy lines of the Mazda3. The rear section with liftgate looks even sleeker and more modern, though.
Under the hood, little is known except that our Mazda2 will use a similar powertrain to the European model -- with a few tweaks, of course. The 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder engine is rated at 110 horsepower.
As for trims, features and pricing, we’ll have to wait a few more months. This information will be made available closer to the vehicle’s market release in mid-summer of 2010.
"In the meantime, Canadians will get a chance to admire the Mazda2 from every angle at the Montreal and Toronto auto shows," promised Don Romano, President of Mazda Canada. "I’m sure the car will be a smash hit from the get-go as it builds on the recipe that has made Mazda so successful in the country."
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photo:Philippe Champoux
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