Facelifted Mazda2 breaks cover

This is the first image of the facelifted/updated Mazda2 that's due to take its bows at October's Paris motor show.

Mazda hasn't gone overboard with the changes, but among the mods are a mildly reworked nose, which is distinguished by a new headlamp cluster and a layered grille. Lower down nestles the familiar five-point air intake and fog lights nestled within moulded black surrounds.

The company also alludes to an "upgraded Euro V compliant powertrain line-up" in its official press release, but no tech details have as yet been provided. All will no doubt be revealed at the Paris show.

Among the changes Mazda is crowing about is an upgraded chassis that allegedly provides improved ride comfort, along with a better quality interior that should bring the car closer to the likes of the new Volkswagen Polo.

The existing Mazda2 continues to be one of the mainstays of the light-car segment, with 8198 Australian sales until the end of July. The only contenders to outsell it are the Hyundai Getz (13,537 sales) and Toyota Yaris (12,774 sales).

Meanwhile, also debuting at Paris will be the revised Mazda3 (second image) featuring an upgraded MZ-CD 1.6 diesel engine (although this is unlikely to be relevant to us as we get the larger 2.0-litre oiler).

Be that as it may, Mazda says the new 1.6-litre diesel offers more power and torque than its predecessor, while lowering fuel consumption and emissions. The company quotes a miserly consumption figure of 4.4L/100km and CO2 emissions of just 117g/km.
 
Mated to the updated diesel is a new lightweight six-speed manual transmission.

The Japanese carmaker's Paris debutants will include the all-new Mazda5 mini-people-mover, which also sports the new MZ-CD 1.6 diesel engine. 

Mazda boasts of "an eye-catching design that sets it apart in the C-MAV segment", along with "enhanced Karakuri interior flexibility for up to seven people plus sliding rear doors".

In case you're wondering what "Karakuri" is, join the club. Our preliminary research leads us to believe it's a traditional Japanese furniture-making technique that combines practical design with high-quality finishing.

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