Mazda Motor Corp has announced its new Mazda2 will go on sale in Australia in the last quarter of 2014 – however it will not be available in a diesel version.
The All-New Mazda2 will be available with two different engines, including the SKYACTIV-G 1.5 litre petrol engine.
A spokesperson for Mazda Motor Corp has confirmed the move to not have a diesel variant for the Mazda2 due to the price sensitive nature of the light car segment.
“If you think about how price sensitive things are in the light car segment, a diesel engine can add anywhere between $2500-$3500 per vehicle – it is an expensive proposition at that end of the market. We don’t think the Australian market is quite ready for it yet. There aren’t many other competitors doing diesel engines in this car segment,” the spokesperson told AutoTalk.
“We feel that we have two great power trains for 1.5L petrol engines which will offer very competitive fuel economy. Obviously one of the main advantages of diesel is that it gives you fuel efficient options, but when you’ve got petrol, and you are delivering the required fuel economy, we believe we can still deliver those fuel advantages.”
The new Mazda2 packs a whole host of improvements into its compact body and KODO design, such as, new SKYACTIV engines, transmissions, body, and chassis, which allows the Mazda2 to provide both high levels of safety and fuel efficiency.
The Mazda2 also comes with MZD Connect, Mazda’s next-generation car connectivity system. Also available for the first time on Mazda’s smallest model are advanced safety features that aid the driver in recognising and responding to hazards.
Production of Mazda2, which has been fully redesigned for the first time in seven years, has begun at Mazda’s Hofu Plant No. 1 in Yamaguchi, Japan.
Mazda will make an announcement on Australian pricing later in the year.
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