The Mazda Demio is a supermini manufactured and marketed globally by Mazda since 1996, currently in its fourth generation. The Demio is marketed prominently as the Mazda2 and under previous nameplates including Mazda 121, Mazda Metro and Ford Festiva Mini Wagon.
The third generation Demio earned the 2008 World Car of the Year title, while the fourth generation was awarded the 2014â€"2015 "Japanese Car of the Year".
In Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, the Demio DJ model is sold by Toyota as an iteration of the Yaris sedan. In the United States, it was initially marketed under its youth-oriented Scion brand as the Scion iA. After August 2016, it was re-branded as the Toyota Yaris iA due to the discontinuation of the Scion marque.
Originating with the introduction of the Mazda 121 in 1987, this B-segment small car was based on the Mazda D-platform. Ford also used a version of the first-generation DA 121 known as the Ford Festiva. Mazda later released the Autozam Revue in 1990 with the next generation of the D-platform DB. It was redesigned for January 1993, still based on the same DB platform. Kia also built versions of the DA and DB, both for itself and for Ford's sale as the Ford Aspire in the United States which Kia sold as the Pride and Avella. The name "Demio" is derived from Latin meus to show possession, which in many Romance languages has become "mio."
First generation (DW; 1996â€"2002)
When it came to redesigning the Revue, Mazda came up with a tall hatchback, minivan-esque package (the Revue was already over 1,500Â mm (59.1Â in) tall). Introduced in a time full of negative press coverage, the Demio became a surprise hit for Mazda in Japan, and also foreshadowed the current crop of B-segment minivans such as the Opel Meriva, Fiat Idea and the Renault Modus.
A concept model previewing the DW series, called the "Mazda BU-X" was shown in 1995.
At its introduction in 1997, it won the Automotive Researchers' and Journalists' Conference Car of the Year award in Japan.
Production of the new Demio started in July 1996 (sold as the 121 outside Japan and the UK) used the DW platform. Ford retailed a version in Japan as the Ford Festiva Mini Wagon. In 1998, the Mazda logo was changed to the current logo. The Demio was updated in 1999 with a revised exterior, cabin air filtration, retuned automatic transmission, and available DSC due to a 2002 redesign.
Engines
- 1.3 L B3-ME I4 (1996â€"1998)
- 1.5 L B5-ME I4 (1996â€"1998)
- 1.3 L B3E I4, 61 kW (82 hp)/ 108 N·m (80 lb·ft) (1999â€"2001)
- 1.5 L B5E I4, 74 kW (99 hp)/ 127 N·m (94 lb·ft) (2000â€"2001)
Production
The original DW model was produced in Mazda's Colombia plant as "Mazda Demio" until the end of 2007, when it was replaced by the DE model.
Gallery
Second generation (DY; 2002â€"2007)
The Demio was redesigned in 2002 on the DY platform. The Demio name continued in Japan, while the rest of the world dropped 121 and other names in favor of Mazda 2. Since its debut, the 2 has been well received by the market pushing its Japanese domestic sale to as high as seventh place.
The badge-engineered Ford version, the Ford Fusion, is no longer made, as Ford began importing the Ford Fiesta on the global Ford B3 platform which is based on Mazda's DY platform. Production of the car for european market started at Almussafes Ford plant in Valencia, Spain on 20 January 2003.
All Demios come with ABS and EBD, and stability control is optional. An innovative feature offered in Japan is e-4WD, a hybrid car-type system which uses an electric motor to power the rear wheels of this front wheel drive vehicle when needed. In the Demio, this system is used only as a traction aid, not for increased fuel economy as in most other vehicles.
Three trim levels were available in Japan, Cozy, Sport, and Casual.
In Europe, trim levels were S, TS and TS2. The TS and TS2 were renamed Antares and Capella in 2004. The Japanese 1.3 and 1.5 gasoline engines are not available, but Ford's 1.25-liter 16-valve Sigma engine is used, and Mazda's 1.4 (in engine block is pressed Ford Motor CO) and 1.6 gasoline, plus Fords 1.4 TDCi diesel are offered, but called 1.4 CDTi by Mazda. (Virtually all the engine parts are interchangeable with the 1.4 diesel version of the Ford Fiesta and Ford Fusion of the same period).
The Mazda 2 is sold with a variety of Z-family engines:
Mazda Demio:
- 1.3 L ZJ-VE I4 91 PS (67 kW; 90 hp) at 6000 rpm, 12.6 kg·m (124 N·m; 91 lb·ft) at 3500 rpm
- 1.5 L ZY-VE I4 113 PS (83 kW; 111 hp) at 6000 rpm, 14.3 kg·m (140 N·m; 103 lb·ft) at 4000 rpm
Mazda 2:
- 1.25 L MZI C2 70 PS (51 kW; 69 hp) at 5700 rpm, 110 N·m (81 lbf·ft) at 3500 rpm
- 1.4 L MZI C4 80 PS (59 kW; 79 hp) at 5700 rpm, 124 N·m (91 lbf·ft) at 3500 rpm
- 1.6 L MZI C6 100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp) at 6000 rpm, 146 N·m (108 lbf·ft) at 4000 rpm
- 1.4 L MZ-CDTi Diesel 68 PS (50 kW; 67 hp) at 4000 rpm, 160 N·m (120 lbf·ft) at 2000 rpm
In 2004 Mazda introduced the Verisa in Japan. The Verisa is based on the Demio but targeted further upmarket.
Safety
Gallery
Third generation (DE; 2007â€"2014)
Initial release
The third generation Demio is built on the new DE platform, which Ford also used for the 2008 Ford Fiesta. It employs lightweight materials and reduces the overall dimensions of the car.
The vehicle was unveiled in 2007 Geneva Motor Show.
The lead designer for the new model was Ikuo Maeda, who was later promoted to Head of Design at Mazda in 2009.
Japanese version
Sales of production vehicles began on 5 July 2007 at Mazda, Mazda ɛ̃fini and Autozam dealers.
European version
The vehicle was unveiled in 2007 Geneva Motor Show, and later in 2007 Shanghai International Motor Show.
Mazda 2 three-door hatchback (2008)
A three-door variant was released for the European market in 2008. Engine choices include the MZR 1.3-liter and 1.5-liter gasoline, MZ-CD 1.4-liter common-rail turbo diesel. In some EU Member States like the Netherlands, there is the option to buy the gasoline car in bi-fuel LPG version from the factory. This model was unveiled at the 2008 Geneva International Motor Show.
North American version
The North American version of the Mazda 2 was unveiled at the 2009 LA Auto Show, and later in 2010 Canadian International Auto Show, making it Mazda's first subcompact in North America since the 323 was discontinued in the United States in 1994 (1995 in Canada). The Mazda 2 became available in July 2010. The only engine available is the 1.5-liter, 100-horsepower four-cylinder matched to a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.
The Mazda 2 was discontinued in the United States after the 2014 model year due to poor sales.
The Mazda 2 received a "Good" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in frontal crashes, "Acceptable" for side crashes, "Good" for roof strength, and "Acceptable" for rear crash protection.
Chinese version
The Chinese model of the Mazda2 in five-door hatchback body style was unveiled at the 2007 Guangzhou Motor Show. A Chinese four-door sedan model of the Mazda 2 was unveiled at the same event, with sales beginning in January 2008.
Sedan
The sedan version was built in Thailand and China and sold only in Southeast Asia, Australia, South America and the Caribbean.
Gallery
Engines
Transmissions
Transmission choices include a five speed manual, a four speed automatic, a CVT (only available in Japan and Hong Kong) or a CVT with a sport mode featuring seven simulated ratios (only available in Japan).
Equipment
A digital fuel gauge has been introduced. Stability control will not be standard in the Mazda 2 range but is available (except it is standard on all models in Australia). There are three trim levels available for the new 2 range, the first is known as the Neo which is the base model. It comes standard with air-conditioning and 15-inch steel wheels, though side air bags, 16-inch alloy wheels and a sports body kit come as standard on the range topping Genki.
Safety
Production
The vehicles were built in Ujina Plant No.1 (U1) in Hiroshima, with additional Mazda 2 began at the Ujina Plant No.2 (U2) in June 2007. Additional vehicles were built in Hofu, Japan.
Chinese models were built in Changan Ford Mazda Automobile's Nanjing plant at the end of October 2007.
Asia-Pacific region models were produced by AutoAlliance Thailand Co., Ltd. beginning in 2009. Mazda 2 local assembly in Vietnam began on 21 October 2011 at Nui Thanh, Quang Nam plant owned by Vina Mazda Automobile Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Mazda 2 local assembly in Vietnam began on 21 October 2011 at the Nui Thanh, Quang Nam plant owned by Vina Mazda Automobile Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Sales
A month after sales of Japanese models began 15,000 units were sold, with the top 3 selling models featuring Sunlight Silver Metallic, Metropolitan Grey Mica and Icy Blue Metallic body colors, and Spirited Green Metallic body among the top 5.
Production in Japan reached 100,000 units at the end of January 2008.
In August 2010, it is reported that 400,000 units has been sold in Europe, Australia and Japan.
2011 update
Japanese models
Updated models include premium seat upholstery, black meter panel, silver instrument panel garnish, expanded exterior body colors including Burgundy Red Mica, standard trip computer. The 15C (with CVT), 13C-V and 13C (with a four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission) models include Mazda's eco-lamp. Sport, 15C, 13C-V and 13C (with e-4WD) model grades include new three-point seatbelt and headrest on the second-row center seat as standard equipment. SPORT model includes 16-inch alloy wheels.
The 13-SkyActiv model includes the first SkyActiv engine, a 1.3-liter with 83 hp (62 kW) and 83 lb·ft (113 N·m), intelligent-Drive Master (i-DM), CVT transmission, 14-inch alloy wheels, Aquatic Blue Mica exterior body color option, dynamic stability control with brake assist, traction control.
Preorders of the new model began on 9 June 2011, while sales of the new model began on 30 June 2011.
The Demio 13-SkyActiv was nominated for Car of The Year Japan 2012.
2011 SEMA concepts (2011)
Turbo2 is a concept car with MAZDASPEED3 MZR 2.3-liter Direct Injection Spark Ignition (DISI) turbo engine, HR coil over suspension kit, Corksport sway bars and customized Brembo front brakes with 13-inch ventilated and slotted rotors, shiny black 17-inch OZ Racing wheels with Yokohama ADVAN Neova 215/40R17 performance tires, Sonic White tri-coat body colour with Brilliant Black on the lower panels, wheel arches, side skirts and lower front fascia; bright green and neon yellow graphics and trim pieces; Katzin black leather seats featuring Barracuda Yellow perforated leather inserts and Sunrise Yellow seat piping, Star West floor mats, AiM Pista MXL digital racing performance and data acquisition display.
3dCarbon Mazda 2 includes 3dCarbon/Air Design body kit manufactured in high-pressure polyurethane injection molding (a front air dam, side skirts, a rear lower diffuser and Mazda 2 Touring-spec upper rear spoiler), Spirited Green Metallic body color with vinyl graphic design by Sticky Fingers Design, darkly tinted windows, 3M Color Stable Metal-Free Window Film on side and rear windows, front windshield with 3M Crystalline Nanofilm, Eibach Springs Pro-Kit, 18-inch FIVE:AD S6:F Gunmetal wheels with Yokohama S.drive 215/35R18 tires.
The vehicles were unveiled in 2011 SEMA show.
Demio EV (2012â€")
This is a limited (100 leased units) production electric vehicle for Japanese market. It included 346-Volt 20kWh lithium-ion battery with 200Â km (124Â mi) driving range. Leasing began in October 2012. 70 percent of Mazda2 BEV owners said they weren't happy with the 124-mile range of their electric car, even though they never needed more.
Prototype Range Extender for EV (2013)
The range extender was a version of the Mazda 2 prototype electric car with a 0.33-liter rotary engine, lithium-ion batteries, 75Â kW electric motor driving front wheels and 10-liter fuel tank. This would double the range of the Demio EV, meeting Japanese requirements that the fuel tank and engine not provide more range than the electric motor.
Fourth generation (DJ; 2014â€"present)
Reports of a new generation of the Mazda Demio emerged in 2013 for a 2014 launch, with some manufacturing at the new Mazda plant in Mexico. The Mazda Hazumi Concept model (designed to preview the future Mazda 2 models) was unveiled at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show and in April 2014 the development mule of the new generation Demio was undergoing testing in Germany, covered in camouflage.
In July 2014, Mazda officially revealed photos of the fourth generation Demio hatchback, and production began at Mazda's HÅfu plant. The sedan version debuted at the Thailand International Motor Expo in November 2014.
The fourth generation is based on a variation of Mazda's CX-5 platform, rather than Ford's DE platform used on the Ford Fiesta and features greater length, wider front and rear tracks, decreased interior room for rear-seat occupants and less front head and legroom.
In October 2014, the Demio was awarded the 2014â€"2015 "Car of the Year" by the Japan Car of the Year Committee.
Despite the North American variant being manufactured in Mexico, Mazda USA announced that the Mazda2 hatchback will not be sold in the US market, except in Puerto Rico, due to low sales of the previous generation model. The sedan variant, however, will be marketed in the US by Toyota as the Scion iA.
For the Canadian market, the DJ series Mazda2 was confirmed at the 2015 Montreal International Auto Show, however its launch was postponed to early 2016 to allow Mazda Canada focus on the launch of the CX-3 and the redesigned MX-5. On 16 November 2015, Mazda Canada decided to not launch the 2 because they found the car not suitable for the market as well a shift towards subcompact crossovers. However, as in the US, the sedan variant is marketed as the Toyota Yaris sedan.
Engines and transmission
The Mazda 2 uses Mazda's SkyActiv-Drive six-speed automatic and SkyActiv-MT five- and six-speed manual gearboxes as well as stop-start technology ("i-STOP" turns the engine off when the car is stationary) and a brake energy regeneration system ("i-ELOOP" uses braking to charge a capacitor for all car electronics, in place of an alternator charging a battery).
The Mazda 2 will initially be offered with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and a 1.5-liter diesel engineâ€"the SkyActiv-D, 1.5-liter diesel engine debuted at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. The gasoline engine will be available with 74 bhp, 89 bhp or 113 bhp, while the diesel will produce 104 bhp.
Wankel hybrid version
Driving Canada stated in June 2014 that Mazda's future was to introduce electric vehicles, starting with an electric Demio. The magazine repeated this soon after, implying a statement by Mazda Australia managing director Martin Benders, and said that it would not be revealed at the new Mazda2's global launch. Both described a car based on the rotary-powered range-extender technology that was recently trialed in the outgoing Mazda2. The "Electric Vehicle" would be a series hybrid, or "Extended Range Electric Vehicle" (EREV), meaning that the electric motor would drive the car, and a generator would only charge the battery.
The 1,280 kg (2,820 lb) car would have a 200 kg (440 lb), 20 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, powering a 75 kW (102 PS; 101 hp) / 150 N·m (15 kg·m; 110 lb·ft) electric motor. The prototype range extender incorporates a 28 kW (38 PS; 38 hp) rotary engine generator, a lightweight 100 kg (220 lb) downsized single-rotor Wankel engine with 330 cc (20 cu in) chamber displacement, and Driving Canada specified a 20 kW (27 PS; 27 hp) Wankel engine for the new release. It would be mounted with the mainshaft vertical under the car's boot (trunk) via three mounting points (eliminating vertical vibration), and in the prototype testing showed the rotary engine was over 5dBa quieter at the same revs than an equivalent gasoline or diesel reciprocating piston engine. In the 1970s, Mazda had developed a single rotor engine, called the 3A to be used in the Mazda Chantez, displacing 360cc per chamber, but it was never placed into production.
A 10 L (2.2 imp gal; 2.6 US gal) fuel tank that can be filled with gasoline, butane, or propane would almost double the EV range to 380 kilometres (236.1 mi). Range extended EVs in Japan and many US states can not receive incentives if they use a tank size which would provide more than double the EV-only range.
Scion iA and Toyota Yaris
In November 2012, Toyota announced that the next generation Yaris sedan would be manufactured alongside the Mazda 2 at Mazda's Mexico plant. The new car was marketed in the US as the Scion iA, which made its debut at the April 2015 New York International Auto Show. Visually, the Scion iA distinguishes itself from the Mazda 2 with a different front bumper and grille design.
The Scion iA was the marque's first and only 4-door sedan and the first and only model not to be built in Japan. This would be the only variant of the Mazda 2 (DJ) to be sold in the US.
In the United States, the Scion iA sold 7,605 units in 2015. Due to the discontinuation of the Scion marque, the model was re-branded as the Toyota Yaris iA after August 2016 for model year 2017.
In Canada, the Yaris features a 106Â hp (79Â kW), 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with both six-speed manual and automatic transmission options. Standard-equipped features are plenty, and include power-adjustable heated exterior mirrors, keyless entry, cruise control, power windows and power door locks.
This is the only variant of the Mazda 2 (DJ) sold in Canada. In Mexico, the car is sold as the Toyota Yaris R and marketed alongside the Yaris sedan (based on the Belta and later the Vios).
The car has also the same features as the Canadian model and it will be sold in three versions. However unlike the Canadian version and the Scion iA, the Yaris R does not feature cruise control nor a pre-collision warning system, and it is the only version of the rebadged sedan which has a leather steering wheel. The Scion iA is also sold in Puerto Rico as the Toyota Yaris R, due to the popularity of the previous generation Yaris sedan, which was discontinued.
Safety
References
External links
- Official websites
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- Japan
- UK
- Australia
- Indonesia
- U.S. (2017 Toyota Yaris iA)
- Canada (Toyota Yaris)
