Sedan to join new Mazda2 range

Mazda Australia is considering introducing a sedan version of the all-new Mazda2 hatch released this week but has again ruled out diesel versions of either light car.

According to the Bangkok Post, the redesigned Mazda2 sedan will make its global debut at the Thailand Motor Expo on November 28, before going on sale in the Asian kingdom in January.

That will make Mazda the first car-maker to build and sell a small car with a diesel engine in Thailand, which also produces Australia's Mazda2.

The move is made possible by changes to the Thai government's Eco Car scheme, which was introduced four years to provide incentives to manufacturers of efficient vehicles including diesels (the engine capacity limit for which has now been raised from 1400 to 1500cc).

Mazda's new 1.5-litre SKYACTIV-D diesel engine not only meets the new displacement ceiling, but the scheme's fuel consumption limit of about 4.2L/100km when equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission and idle-stop system.

Bangkok Post says manufacture of the more expensive diesel engine for the Mazda2 in Thailand is also made viable by the improved economies of scale achieved by exports to Australia and Europe.

However, Mazda Australia spokesman Steve Maciver told motoring.com.au a diesel engine will not be made available here in any Mazda2.

"The light car segment is too price sensitive for a diesel to stack up," he said. "When the Mazda2's petrol engines are so efficient, the [purchase and running cost] price premium for diesel makes no sense."

Mazda Australia looks set to reintroduce a sedan version of its smallest model, however.

"There will be a sedan version of the new Mazda2 [globally] and we're considering it at the moment," confirmed Maciver.

A sedan version of the previous Mazda2 was imported from Thailand relatively briefly before production reverted to Japan, which only produces the hatch.

During that time, the four-door accounted for 150-200 Mazda2 sales a month, or up to 15 per cent of sales.

Mazda has previously ruled out the release of a three-door version of the new 2, but said the pint-size sedan would arrive here "well into next year" if it was approved for Australia.

If it is, the Mazda2 sedan will compete with a growing number of light-size sedans currently offered in Australia, including the Holden Barina, Honda City, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Mitsubishi Mirage, Nissan Almera, Proton S16 and Toyota's ancient Yaris four-door.

"It is a tiny market but if you've got the right model with the right styling and the right technology it will sell well," said Maciver, who would not comment on the chances of Mazda's all-new Mazda2-based CX-3 crossover being imported here from Thailand with 1.5-litre diesel power.