And when it does finally arrive, Mazda aim to celebrate by making available a very special launch edition called the Mazda2 Sports Launch Edition which will have all the spec of the normal Mazda2 (that you are just about to read) but will have the extra benefits of Mazda's 1.5-litre 90ps SKYACTIV G petrol engine, an integrated navigation system, 16-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, dusk-sensing lights, rain-sensing front wipers, rear parking sensors and free-of-charge Metallic/Mica/Pearlescent paint.
The basis of the new Mazda2
Design-wise, the signature 'wing' front grille and predatory headlamp styling automatically tells you that this car is already part of the latest Mazda family, even though this all-new supermini turns its back on the monobox styling so beloved of the B-segment to which the Mazda2 belongs; preferring instead to give us a dynamic, muscular, cab-rearward design with longer wheelbase and smaller overhangs so that it can still give us interior space far greater than you would think was possible.
In fact, inside you will find extra shoulder and knee room (from its predecessor) along with improved seat comfort, clear and coherent instrumentation and switchgear, and superior ergonomics – all of which improve themselves with premium interior finishes as you rise through the five level grade structure -SE, SE-L, SE-L Nav, Sport and Sport Nav.
There’s a comprehensive array of active safety systems that includes Anti-lock Brakes (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Electronic Brake Assist (EBA), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control System (TCS), Emergency Stop Signalling (ESS), Hill Hold Assist (HHA) and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) as standard right across the model range, before we start adding in extras as we progress up the grades.
The SE-L 90ps, Sport, Sport Nav grades and the Sports Launch Edition model are made even safer with the addition of a Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), and Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) System that automatically applies the brakes if the system detects an imminent frontal impact at speeds between 2.5 and 18.5mph, with an optional Safety Pack being available on the 115ps Sport Nav models that incorporates High Beam Control (HBC), an Advanced Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system, and an Active Driving Display that projects the most important real-time driving data directly into the driver's forward field of view.
When it comes to infotainment, from SE-L 90ps grade upwards, the Mazda2 contains a 7” colour touch-screen that combines with a rotary Multimedia Commander to create an enhanced human-machine interface (HMI) to give extremely safe, intuitive interactivity and infotainment control. DAB radio features for the first time in the Mazda2 and, in SE-L Nav and Sport Nav grades, there is also a new navigation system that offers greater accuracy, improved search features and three years of free map updates.
Needless to say, Mazda's in-car connectivity system, MZD Connect, offers online connectivity working with compatible iPhone and Android smartphones to access a variety of free mobile content via Aha™, a cloud platform-based service chock-full of stations, personalised, location-based services and both Twitter and Facebook audio feeds.
With a choice of 16 to choose from, your only choice seems to be which one is best for you.
