SPY PICS: All-new Mazda2

The first all-SKYACTIV Mazda2 was previewed by the Hazumi concept at last month’s Geneva motor show, and now the production version has been spied during development testing for the first time.

Wrapped in psychedelic camouflage, the pre-production prototype captured here departs little from the handsome five-door hatchback concept seen in Switzerland -- save for details like the show car’s futuristic wing mirrors and twin central exhaust outlets.

The test car you see here even rides on the same Alfa-esque alloy wheel designs as the Hazumi, although they’re smaller than the 18s fitted to the concept.

But it remains to be seen whether the first Mazda2 to wear the Japanese brand’s latest Kodo design language – as seen on the CX-5, Mazda3 and Mazda6 – will feature the Hazumi’s carbon-fibre exterior accents, including on the front bumper, headlight brows, side mirror stalks, rear spoiler and rear diffuser.

It’s also unclear if the showroom-ready Mazda2 will come with the Hazumi’s integrated LED lighting elements, which wrapped around its projectors beams and were joined to the large, pentagonal grille by a sculpted, silver bar.

And we don’t yet know if top-spec versions of the new 2 will be available with the same advanced driver aids that are optional in the latest Mazda3 -- such as a head-up display, lane-departure warning and blind-spot monitoring -- although the gadgetry hidden behind the rear-view mirror suggests they will.

What we do know, however, is that the new Mazda2 will be launched later this year in a single five-door hatchback body style, and that sedan and diesel versions – as with the current Mazda2 – are unlikely to be sold in Australia.

While a new 1.5-litre SKYACTIV-D turbo-diesel engine will be offered in Europe, Australia’s Mazda2 will likely be sold only with a new 1.5-litre four-cylinder SKYACTIV-G petrol engine, matched with six-speed manual and automatic transmissions.

That should bring significant performance and efficiency improvements over the outgoing Mazda2, which is powered by a 76kW/135Nm 1.5-litre petrol four that consumes 6.4L/100km as a five-speed manual and 6.8L/100km in four-speed automatic form.

The new 2 will also bring all the SKYACTIV body and chassis technology from the larger Mazda3 and Mazda6, ensuring big improvements in refinement, noise suppression, chassis rigidity and – despite the fact the existing Mazda2 is already one of the best steering, handing and riding models in its class – dynamics.

The new 2 platform will also form the basis of an all-new entry-level small SUV from Mazda – likely to be called the CX-3. Both the CX-3 and another upcoming Mazda model, the new MX-5, are expected to make their global debuts this year, before arriving Down Under in 2015.

Priced from $15,790 plus on-road costs and available in two variants (Neo Sport and flagship Maxx Sport variants), the current Mazda2 is not the cheapest in its class but out-sold Toyota’s formerly dominant Yaris to become Australia’s most popular light car last year and so far in 2014.

Expect the new Mazda2 to be launched globally in August, before arriving in Australian showrooms sooner than expected in September.