Mazda Motor Corporation has announced the Japanese launch of the fully redesigned Mazda Demio (known overseas as the all-new Mazda2) which goes on sale at all Mazda, Mazda Anfini and Mazda Autozam dealers throughout Japan from today, July 5, 2007. The target sales volume for the all-new Demio is 5,000 units a month. Prices range from 1,125,000 to 1,580,000 yen (including tax).
The all-new Demio offers driver-friendly functionality and packaging as well as individual styling that makes you want to get in and drive it. The design team aimed to inherit the fun-to-drive Zoom-Zoom DNA that is common to all Mazda vehicles and balance it with top class fuel economy, safety performance and comfort levels. By completely redesigning the body and chassis, the new Demio is around 100 kilograms lighter than the previous model*. The Demio 13C-V grade combines Mazda’s newly developed, naturally aspirated MZR 1.3L Miller-cycle engine with continuously variable transmission (CVT) to achieve top class 10-15 mode fuel efficiency of 23.0 km/L (rated by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport [MLIT]). This represents an improvement of approximately 20 percent over the previous model*. All model grades also offer superb environmental performance, with emissions at least 75 percent lower than Japan’s 2005 standards.
Some of its features in various areas include:
-
“Condensed Dynamism” compact look:
Following the exterior design theme of “coordinated movements”, the new Demio looks as though it is about to move even when parked. The deep contours fore and aft of the A-pillars and distinctive character lines that extend from the front fender arches to the body shoulders are key features that express condensed dynamism in the compact body.
-
Unsurpassed convenience and functionality:
Reducing the car’s length by 40 mm (30 mm for the SPORT and 13S grades) and height by 55 mm has made the new Demio easier to maneuver and given it a more stylish appearance. The turning radius is only 4.7 m (for models with 14-inch wheels).
-
New driving dynamics:
Leveraging the know-how which Mazda refined through its development of earlier new-generation Zoom-Zoom products, the development team pursued a comfortable, quiet and responsive ride while further developing Mazda’s characteristic handling and braking. With a newly developed body and chassis, and helped by an approximate 100 kg weight reduction, the all-new Demio offers a more reassuring and nimble ride.
-
Advanced safety features:
In addition to basic active safety features for driving, cornering and stopping, a fully adjustable driver’s seat and excellent visibility help ensure a safe journey. Additionally, a four-wheel antilock braking system (4W-ABS) and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) with brake assist are standard equipment for all models. An electric four-wheel drive system (e-4WD) that supports driving on slippery roads is available for some grades.
-
Environmental performance:
The Demio 13C-V, with Mazda’s MZR 1.3-liter Miller-cycle engine and CVT, achieves a fuel economy of 23.0 km/L (rated by the MLIT). The other models also achieve excellent fuel economy figures.
Mazda’s Representative Director, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO, Hisakazu Imaki, said, “The all-new Mazda Demio is a core global model and it is intended to accelerate our progress toward achieving the objectives set out in the Mazda Advancement Plan, our new mid-term plan announced in March of this year. Furthermore, this is our very first product that embodies “advanced Zoom-Zoom”, offering harmony between driving pleasure and environmental and safety features, based on our long-term technology development vision, ’Sustainable Zoom-Zoom.’ At Mazda, we will continue to drive our business forward through product-led growth and, at the same time, enhance our efforts to develop environmental and safety technologies to help realize a sustainable future.”
Posted on 05/07/07 By F.B
