Mazda2 handed subtle facelift (including under-the-skin updates)…

By: CAR magazine

The facelifted Mazda2 hatchback has been revealed in Japan, featuring subtle styling changes and a handful of under-the-skin updates.

Previously known as the Demio in Japan, the B-segment hatchback has been renamed Mazda2 in its home country, lining up with the moniker used in the majority of international markets (including here in South Africa).

Mazda says it has improved “handling stability, ride feel and cabin quietness” in the entry-level hatchback thanks largely to the fitment of a new suspension system.

In terms of styling, the firm claims to stripped away “superfluous elements” to enhance the model’s “freshness and presence on the road”. It has also added new 16-inch alloy wheels finished in high-gloss paint.

Inside, Mazda claims the chosen materials and colours “balance quality and playfulness”. It has also added new front seats (including an optional six-way power-adjustable driver’s perch), Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and updated safety features such as radar cruise control (with a stop-and-go functionality) and adaptive LED headlamps.

As far as well can tell, nothing’s changed under the bonnet. For the record, the Mazda2 currently offered in South Africa employs a naturally aspirated 1,5-litre petrol sending 82 kW and 145 N.m to the front axle. A 77 kW/220 N.m 1,5-litre turbodiesel is also offered in the flagship Hazumi spec.

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