What was actually said was:

"We're not ready to make the announcement but obviously we sell diesels in Europe. The Mazda2 is extremely successful in Europe and Asia. We're continuing to watch that space in America."

Is this the new Ka? Or a Mazda2 derivative?

New Mazda2 To Debut At Geneva

The new Mazda2 three-door hatchback will make its world premiere on Tuesday 4 March at the 78th Salon International de l'Auto de Genève. This is the first time that Mazda has offered a three-door variant in its popular Mazda2 model range. The newcomer will feature all the attributes of the five-door hatchback, but delivering an even sportier feel at a more affordable price.

The new Mazda2 three-door hatchback is designed to attract new customers and boost Mazda's continued growth in the European market. It comes with the same powertrain line-up - the lively and responsive MZR 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre petrol engines and the MZ-CD 1.4-litre turbo diesel - as the five-door hatchback. These engines achieve high fuel efficiency together with particularly low CO2 emissions.

The three-door Mazda2 shares the same overall dimensions as the five-door and achieves a similarly modest kerb weight, model for model. The five-door Mazda2 has already demonstrated that by completely redesigning the body and chassis and implementing Mazda's unique 'gram strategy', the brand's small car weight could be reduced to under the 1,000 kilogram threshold. This outstanding result reverses the industry trend towards bigger and heavier cars.

Launched in September 2007 as Mazda's first new-generation Zoom-Zoom vehicle to evolve to the next level, the new Mazda2 was an immediate hit with European customers. In December 2007, it was awarded a 5-Star safety rating by Euro-NCAP and it has won more than 20 automotive awards. These include Car of the Year awards in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Greece and New Zealand, along with the Japan RJC Car of the Year.

The Geneva Show will also witness three Mazda European debuts: the Mazda Taiki concept car, equipped with a next-generation rotary engine, the Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid and the upgraded Mazda's RX-8 four-seater, four-door sports car.

[Source: Mazda]

Mazda Demio 'Chiara' Special Edition on Sale in Japan

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has announced the launch of the Mazda Demio 'Chiara' special edition model in Japan to celebrate the new Mazda Demio having won the 2008 Automotive Researchers' and Journalists' Conference of Japan (RJC) Car of the Year award. It goes on sale today at Mazda, Mazda Anfini and Mazda Autozam dealerships nationwide.

The Chiara, which means brilliant or bright in Italian, is based on the 13C-V grade Demio (the front-wheel drive (FWD) model which is powered by a 1.3-liter Miller cycle engine and a continuously variable transmission [CVT]) or the electronically controlled four-wheel drive (e-4WD) 13C grade model. The Chiara special edition features the exclusive Golden Red Mica — a vivid shade of red sprinkled with gold flakes - as an exterior color choice. The interior includes custom seat covers featuring a multistripe pattern, which enhances the special edition model's distinctive style. Special equipment for the Chiara provides improved convenience through an advanced keyless entry and starter system, an auto light system, water-repellent coating for glass surfaces and rain sensing front wipers, which were all originally set as factory-installed options for the standard Demio model.

The manufacturer's suggested retail price for the Mazda Demio 'Chiara' special edition is 1,410,000 yen for the FWD version and 1,550,000 yen for the e-4WD version. Both prices include consumption tax.

Features of the Special Edition 'Chiara' Mazda Demio
Base models

Base models are the 13C-V grade Demio (1.3-liter DOHC Miller cycle engine with a continuously variable transmission [CVT], front-wheel drive) or the 13C grade (1.3-liter DOHC engine with four-speed automatic transmission, electronically controlled four-wheel drive [e-4WD]).

Special equipment
- Exclusively designed seats
The Chiara's seats are given a distinctive, stylish look through red multistriped fabric which covers the center of the seat bottom and seatback. These distinctive seat covers are artfully matched with the black color of the seat sides and headrest.
- Silver bezels on the steering wheel
The quality feel of this model is heightened with silver bezels on the steering wheel spokes.
- Advanced keyless entry & starter system with immobilizer
- Driving comfort package
This optional package is offered as standard equipment for the Chiara. The package includes the following features: auto light system, rain sensing front wipers, and water-repellent coating (windshield, front door glass, door mirrors). The dark-tinted glass (rear doors/liftgate) is also a part of the package for the 13C-based model (the e-4WD Chiara) and specially offered to the model, while originally equipped for the 13C-V-based model (the front-wheel drive Chiara).
- Auxiliary jack
The center console comes equipped with an external input terminal where portable audio devices can be connected.
- Tachometer
A tachometer contributes to more economical driving by displaying the engine revolutions. The speedometer's white background is complemented by sliver accents around the gauge panel rim.
- Fully-automatic air conditioning and Areru [Allergy] Buster® with filter
Full air conditioning comes as special equipment for the 13C-based model (the e-4WD Chiara). Full air-conditioning is standard on the the 13C-V-based model (the front-wheel drive Chiara). The fully automatic air conditioning unit comes equipped with a filter that traps allergy-inducing materials.

Body colors

A choice of five exterior colors is available: the new, exclusive Golden Red Mica as well as standard colors Crystal White Pearl Mica, Radiant Ebony Mica, Sunlight Silver Metallic and Brilliant Black.

Factory installed options
- Discharge headlights, front foglamps or 15-inch aluminum wheels
- 'Audio-less specification' (a center panel with free space for an audio system) or leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Watch out, diesel. Mazda says it's developed a Miller-cycle engine for the new Demio (Mazda2) in Japan that gets around 54 miles per gallon. The new JDM gas sipper goes on sale in July, sporting a 20 percent improvement in mileage over the current model, in combination with a continuously variable transmission. So what's this Miller cycle we speak of? Let's ask Wikipedia:

"In the Miller cycle, the intake valve is left open longer than it would be in an Otto cycle engine. In effect, the compression stroke is two discrete cycles: the initial portion when the intake valve is open and final portion when the intake valve is closed. This two-stage intake stroke creates the so called "fifth" cycle that the Miller cycle introduces. As the piston initially moves upwards in what is traditionally the compression stroke, the charge is partially expelled back out the still-open intake valve."

Press Release:

Mazda Develops New Naturally-Aspirated MZR 1.3L Miller-cycle Engine
- The new MZR 1.3L engine powers the all-new Mazda Demio to achieve a fuel economy of 23.0 km/L and qualify for Japan's Green Tax exemptions -

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has developed a new, naturally aspirated MZR 1.3L Miller-cycle engine, which will power the all-new Demio (known as the all-new Mazda2 in overseas markets) when it goes on sale in Japan in July 2007. In combination with Mazda's first continuously variable transmission (CVT), the engine will assist the new Demio to achieve a 10-15 mode fuel economy of 23.0 km/L, an improvement of approximately 20 percent over the 19.2 km/L rating of the current model.

Newly developed from the current MZR 1.3L DOHC aluminum engine, the naturally-aspirated MZR 1.3L Miller-cycle engine employs delayed closing of the intake valves in order to reduce pumping losses and improve thermal efficiency through a higher expansion ratio. Intake valve timing is optimized by the Sequential Valve Timing System to provide improved fuel efficiency over the current MZR 1.3L engine when cruising and accelerating. In conjunction with the CVT, which transfers torque at low speeds without power loss and eliminates gear-shift shock, the setup achieves excellent fuel efficiency as well as a smooth and exhilarating ride.

In addition to this new, highly efficient powertrain, the all-new Demio has been made approximately 100 kg lighter than its predecessor through weight reduction techniques, which have resulted in nimble handling and significantly improved fuel economy.

The Demio model with the naturally aspirated MZR 1.3L Miller-cycle engine combined with the CVT transmission achieves a fuel economy that is rated as 20 percent or better than the level specified by Japan's 2010 fuel economy standards. Exhaust emissions are also at least 75 percent lower than 2005 standards, which conforms to Japan's Super Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle (SU-LEV) standard and qualifies the Demio for Green Tax exemptions.

Through its Sustainable Zoom-Zoom plan that was announced in March 2007, Mazda declared its intention to pursue the harmony felt between driving pleasure and environmental and safety features, and its quest for an advanced Zoom-Zoom world. This includes the ongoing desire to create captivating design, to provide our customers with continual driving pleasure and to develop improved safety and environmental technologies.

Related:
Geneva Pre-Show: The New Mazda2 [internal]

Mazda's new Mazda2 subcompact entry will debut tomorrow at the Geneva auto show, but press-kit images leaked over the weekend ahead of an official revealing. It's the first incarnation of Ford's new Fiesta platform, for which the company reportedly has global ambitions. With more swages and wrinkles than a mechanical shi-tsu, the Mazda2 cuts a knotty design profile. According to gun-jumper km77.com, the Mazda2 for Europe will come with a choice of two engines, a 1.3-liter (in 75 hp and 84 hp variants) and a 1.5-liter with 104 hp. Five-speed manual and an automatic of similar coggage will be available. As the newest images indicate, a sports appearance package anchored by a factory body kit will be on the option sheet when the Mazda2 debuts in Europe this summer. No word on a US release, but feel free to speculate wildly. – Mike Spinelli

[via km77.com]

Related:
Will The Mazda2 Be The Ford2? [internal]

New subcompact coming to U.S. [Detroit News]

Related:
Compact High: The New Mazda2; Spy Photos: More Mazda2 [internal]

Mazda today revealed the redesigned, flame-surfaced subcompact that is its new Mazda2, ahead of its unveiling at the Geneva show next month. Built on Mazda-Ford's new global B1 platform, the new two is rumored to be headed to the US to compete with the Nissan Versa, Honda Fit and that Toyota that looks like a doorknob. Possibly by 2008, but more likely by 2009. [Thanks to Stephan for the tip.] – Mike Spinelli

[via Mazda, Auto Motor und Sport]

Press Release:

All-new Mazda2 to Debut at the
2007 Geneva International Motor Show

Hiroshima, Japan, 13th February 2007. Mazda Motor Corporation will showcase the world premiere of the all-new Mazda2 (known as the Mazda Demio in Japan) at the 77th annual Geneva International Motor Show to be held from Tuesday, 6 March through Sunday, 18 March 2007. Officially titled the Salon International de l'Auto de Gen ve, the Geneva Motor show press days are March 6 and 7, and the public days are March 8-18. Mazda will hold its press conference on Tuesday, 6 March at 14:15 CET.

The all-new Mazda2 is more than just a model freshening of the current Mazda2. In 2002, the Mazda6 heralded the arrival of Mazda's new generation of Zoom-Zoom vehicles, and now the Mazda2 becomes the first of these to evolve to the next level. As such, the new Mazda2 represents the progression of Mazda's Zoom-Zoom brand promise.

Related:
More on the Mazda2 [internal]

"there has been some speculation that the third-generation Mazda2 may reach the States when it arrives for the 2008 model year. The upcoming Mazda2, which is an evolution of both the MX-Micro Sport Concept and the Sassou Concept from the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show, should begin arriving in select markets late this summer."

2008 Mazda2 Spy Shots [The Car Connection]

Related:
Spy Photos: Mazda2, Wagon Too; Spy Photos: Mazda2; Detroit Auto Show Exclusive: We Talk To Mark Fields, Make Zero Mullet Jokes [internal]

So yeah, Mazda's been working on a new, world-market subcompact based on the same platform (B1) as the Ford Fiesta sold in Europe and elsewhere. That car, spies have said, is the Mazda2, whose appearance in the US is fairly certain, though a version from Ford model is still rumored to be in the works. Said spies also say the Mazda2's set for launch later this year, along with a wagon version. The shots may be doctored, but the unknowns are unassailable. – Mike Spinelli

SPY PHOTOS: More Mazda2 Sedan and Wagon [World Car Fans]

Related:
Spy Photos: Mazda2 [internal]

All the pundits are talking this morning about how Ford US missed the small-car revolution by leaving the money-losing Focus (not an entirely unfun car) to languish without a significant upgrade since the first Bush administration. We'd heard a rumor Ford was looking at bringing an even smaller car based on the worldly Fiesta platform to the US to compete with the Toyota Yaris et. al. That car was suggested to be the Mazda 2, or MicroSport, though AutoWeek reported recently the project was killed due to cost considerations. This is that car. Maybe the new management will reconsider.

SPY PHOTOS: Mazda2 [internal]

Related:
Coming to America: 2007 Mazda 2? [internal]