Good news for summer: Mazda is said to be working on a small roadster based on its home market Mazda2. Yes, they already make the Miata, one of the best sportscars ever made, but a new, small addition to the family could be fun as well.
The Mazda2 is one of those Japan-only supermini cars that are Honda Fit-sized, and designed to offer as much practicality in as small a space as possible. Recently, there’s been news that the Mazda2, which is sold in Japan as the Demio, will hit the Euro market, and there have been rumblings that it could make it over here to combat rising fuel economy and emission standards. If the rumors of a Mazda2-based roadster turn out to be correct, it would be smaller than the MX-5 / Miata, and if released in Europe, would compete against the likes of the forthcoming Renault Twingo CC, the Opel Tigra and the Peugeot 207 CC.
There’s no word on the roadster’s top as far as construction and operation but sources point to it being a retractable metal roof. They’re all the rage these days, and give you the best of both worlds (roadster and hardtop coupe), so it would be a good choice from the product planners.
As far as engines are concerned, we’re looking at 1.3-and 1.5-liter gasoline mills and the possibility of 1.4- and 1.6-liter turbo diesels, at least for non-North American market, and maybe here if the MPG/emission stuff really hits the fan. Sadly, this would mean a front drive layout, so there goes the handling, but you can’t have everything I guess.
Source: CarScoop
And Yes the Mazda 2, 3, 5, 6 are ALL Front Wheel DRIVE..always have been.
“The Mazda 2 is one of those Japan-only supermini cars that are Honda Fit-sized.”
WHAT????
The Mazda 2 is EXPORTED to every other country other than North and South America, though I believe Canada is about to see the Mazda 2.
So the Mazda 2 is NOT Japan-only.