From DRIVE..Revised FIESTA JULY

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A revised Mazda2 line-up will get extra safety features and additional equipment, but the most affordable model will be dropped in favour of a compact four-door.

Mazda has dropped the entry-level three-door Mazda2 from its range as part of a model update that will bring six airbags and, possibly, stability control as standard, making it one of the safest cars under $20,000.

The updated Mazda2 will also herald the arrival of a longer sedan as well as additional equipment, including standard alloy wheels on the new sedan variant.

Due in showrooms by May this year, the revamped model looks almost identical to the Mazda2 it replaces (at least in five-door hatch form), except for things like a new bumper and shiny black plastic dash trim inside.

Mazda has not confirmed pricing for the new Mazda2 line-up, although extra equipment – including six airbags across the range and, before long, stability control – could make some models slightly more expensive than the existing car.

Dropping the three-door from the Mazda2 range – there are believed to be only a handful left in dealerships – means the price of entry to the lineup is likely to increase. The five-door was $750 more than its otherwise identical three-door Mazda2 sibling.

However, sourcing the new Mazda2 from Thailand, rather than Japan, means Mazda can take advantage of the free trade agreement in place, eliminating the 5 per cent import duty.

The current Mazda2 range starts at $16,030 (plus on-road costs) for the base-model three-door Neo, right up to $21,295 for the five-door Genki model.

Mazda has not confirmed that stability control will be standard on its smallest, most affordable car, but new regulations due in 2011 will force all car makers to fit the vehicle control system on all vehicles. If Mazda does not fit stability control with this mid-year update it will have to do so in 2011.

Mazda says the new 2 will get additional equipment, including alloy wheels on all sedan models.

For the first time, the Mazda’s smallest car will also be offered in a four-door sedan, which offers a handy 450-litre boot capacity. The reasoning behind the addition of the light sedan to the Australian market is one of need, according to Mazda Australia.

“Having listened to customer feedback and studied the light segment very closely, we believe that the new Mazda2 sedan offers the potential to engage with a whole new set of customers,” says Mazda Australia marketing manager, Alastair Doak.

The Mazda2 range will stay on with its 76kW 1.5-litre petrol engine, which achieves a not-so-thirsty 6.4L/100km in its five-speed manual guise. A four-speed automatic will cost extra.

Cosmetically, the new Mazda2 range will gain the smiley family face of the Japanese brand, as part of an updated look.

The sedan sports a sleek roofline, and the clean-looking boot finish looks smart, carrying over similar lines to the bigger Mazda3.

The Australian market can also expect a revamped Ford Fiesta – the two share basic underpinnings - to come out of Thailand around mid-year.

More than 35,000 Mazda2s have been sold in Australia since 2007.

[dannyhilton]

I think the Fiesta will look much the same, I'm expecting some changes to specifications though. We might even see the Ford Power starter button and remote-free entry and a more premium model above Zetec, Titanium anyone! That or we'll loose some spec, as becoming a Thai built small car doesn't really have a call for Voice Control and things like that. Not sure. We'll get the sedan though, which will help sales. It may not be pretty, lets face it, no small sedan is, but it won't be too bad.

The three door Mazda was ugly, and definitely didn't have a calling for. I hope Ford continue with the 3 door Fiesta though, as they sell quite well. Not as many as the five door by any means, but the Mazda sold bugger all.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by dannyhilton

I think the Fiesta will look much the same, I'm expecting some changes to specifications though. We might even see the Ford Power starter button and remote-free entry and a more premium model above Zetec, Titanium anyone! That or we'll loose some spec, as becoming a Thai built small car doesn't really have a call for Voice Control and things like that. Not sure. We'll get the sedan though, which will help sales. It may not be pretty, lets face it, no small sedan is, but it won't be too bad.

The three door Mazda was ugly, and definitely didn't have a calling for. I hope Ford continue with the 3 door Fiesta though, as they sell quite well. Not as many as the five door by any means, but the Mazda sold bugger all.

I bought the 3 door because I really couldn't afford the extra $500 for the 5, haha. I just scraped together $18,000 (including all charges), the exact price for my 3 door.

[dannyhilton]

Well I brought the three door because I think it looks better, the side profile seems smoother and the side skirt is very sexy. Plus in Zetec guise it's seen as the 'halo' car and supposed to be the sporty model. While it's no more special or sporty than a five door Zetec, it looks the tits. Unlike the Mazda 2 3 door which looked like a squished ******** covered with sprinkles. At least the five door 2 looks good. Parked next to a Mazda 2 the other day, i could swear the Fiesta is like a class bigger in size. It's MASSIVE for a small car!

[Fiesta God]

Trust me ... in 5 years time when you've got 100,000kms on the clock ... it's all the little things with build quality that will make you SO happy you bought a Fiesta before they started being built in Thailand.

[dannyhilton]

A friend has one of the first Honda Jazz' that was built in Thailand, the very first ones came from Japan IIRC. It's still going fine. Held up rather well though it only has like 60,000km on the clock so far.