2008 Mazda 2 Details
June 12, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
As the all new Mazda 2 gets closer to its Australian debut (October), Mazda Australia are slowly releasing some finer details for the Australia bound variants.
As for the Japanese Mazda 2 (Demio), there is confirmation from Japan the car will not only get Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) but it will also come with Miller-cycle engine technology. You can learn more about Miller-cycle engines here.
Mazda had previously used this technology in the luxury branded Eunos 800. Logically, the technology is usually coupled to a supercharger to not only increase the displacement of the engine but to also to improve the efficiency of the compression phase of a four-stroke engine.
Mazda Japan says the technology in the Mazda 2 will improve fuel efficiency by 20 per cent over the existing model (6.6L for manual – 7L for automatic). This will give the new Mazda 2 mated to CVT a fuel economy of 5.3L/100kms – but don’t celebrate just yet, Australia is unlikely to get the 1.3-litre Mazda 2 any time soon.
Mazda Australia have been silent mentioning the miller-cycle variant of the new Mazda 2, however they recently confirmed that Australia will not get the 1.3-litre engine, which rules out the more advanced Mazda 2.
The Australian variant will be around 100kg lighter, powered by a 1.5-litre engine (76kW @ 6000RPM – 136Nm @ 4000 RPM). Fuel economy is expected at around 5.7L/100km.
Pricing is still under review, although Mazda spokesman Alastair Doak recently admitted that prices will remain relatively unchanged from the current lineup (Neo – $16,335 – Maxx $18,330 and Genki at $20,290). The model names will most likely also remain unchanged.
Expect more details on the new Mazda 2 closer to October.
Print it: 
As I have mentioned a few times in my comments previously on other news posts, I’ve been in the new car market.
Last week I test drove the new Mazda 6 Turbo Diesel and the 2. I liked the 2. I’d have bought one then and there, but I have some thinking to do.
If Aust gets the new 2 with the Miller Cycle engine, I’ll be happy and might consider the car more so then now.
I’m a “different” engine design nut. I like unconventional things, and Mazda has always been that way with the Wankel Rotary, the Miller cycle engine used previously and now again.
I hope it comes to Australia. Maybe people will see this time around in the MC engine, what they have discovered with diesel (more power, less fuel usage).
Cheers
Steve
I wouldn’t hold my breath for the Miller-cycle engine Steve. Mazda Australia don’t share their Japanese counterparts enthusiasm for unconventional engine design.
I suspect the marketing to sell the miller-cycle engine will be a little too costly and hard to explain to the average punter looking for a small car!
Why do we Always get the shit end of the stick with Australian delivered variants?
First it was that our fuel is too crap, then it was that our taste was too crap, and now, it seems that both Japanese and European manufacturers seem to think Australians want simple cars without too many complicated words in the specifications…
october is too long to wait, i’ll be buying my car before then. shame, otherwise i would have definitely been interested in this car. buying a civic instead.
I’ve been in the new car market for 6 months. Why so long? Nothing stands out in my price range.
Maybe I’m too picky? I tend to think I like value for money. As mentioned before, the Mazda 2 stood out for me because I found that most small hatch’s were built with $$$ dollars in mind rather then quality. Now, I’m sure Mazda also looked at the dollars sunk into the 2, but I think they also paid attention to the quality and feel that you perceive when you sit in a Mazda 2.
I’ve driven a 1.5L manual Jazz that couldn’t get up a hill (albeit steep) in second gear. The 2 which I drove was auto and had no issues “zoom zoom zoom”ing about the place.
What an understated car. I’ve driven the Golf in all trims and specs, Polo – the same, Citroen C3 and C4, Focus, Swift, SX4, Jazz (as mentioned before), Astra turbo diesel. I could go on….
The Mazda was a cut above in refinement, handling and quality of build. The only area where it suffered was power, and that was only compared to the Turbo Diesels which have oodles of torque, which I love. The only car that topped the Maz2 I drove was the Mazda 6 I drove before it. And having driven the 2 afterwards and having that opinion says a lot to me about the car.
I’m a French car nut. But this is where I have to admit, Mazda makes some high quality cars that go and handle.
The French do a fine job of the latter two points. Pity the first isn’t like it use to be.
Cheers
Steve
I’m really surprised about your comments on the 1.5 Jazz, Steve. Most reviews I have seen seem to rate it as the gutsiest petrol supermini out there.
That said, I am really excited about the new Mazda 2, and would love it if Mazda would bring out a SP version.
I am the same as Steve and have bean looking for a car for six months,after my thirteen year old nissan was in a accident. I didn’t like anything in my price range, until the NEW MAZDA 2. Have also heard the price will be about the same as the old range. Hope I can wait until October, otherwise I may consider a hyundai accent, have not yet seen any reviews for this.
Trish, here is a review on the accent
http://www.caradvice.com.au/43.....road-test/
I drove the New Mazda 2 & was awesome!!! It is very smooth & the power for a 1.5 will surprise you.
I have put my order in – Metropolitan Grey is my choice of colour. Im very excited!!
I placed my order for a Metropolitan Grey as well.. ! never test drove it but all these new small cars drive the same.. just gotta pick the one you can live with for the next 5 years. ^_^ and thise care has the looks .. Two thumbs up! I’m upgrading from a Hyosung GT250R motorbike so big change for me.. Still keeping the bike though.
i want to put an order in for a metropolitan grey!! its lyk the coolest culla. i luv the car. my dad’s not buyin me one!! wawawa. lol.
sometym soon, very soon, i will b cruisin in ma new mazda2. (thats a rhyme!)
I have owned sports cars and performance cars for many years but I just bought a Mazda 2. I have been looking around for a small car for six months. Like Steve, I also test drove VWs, Renaults, Hondas and Fords. I like the combination of fairly simple technology, light weight and its ‘fun to drive’ nature.
However, the most important factor was the fact that the engine is equal to Euro standard IV, with an emphasis on low carbon emitions.
We can’t continue to live like this is 1965 and as consumers we need to be responsible.
Well said Martin, I congratulate you on your choice :)