2016 Mazda Mazda2 Revealed

The all-new 2016 Mazda Mazda2 will go all-in with SKYACTIV powertrain and chassis technologies when it starts production this fall in Japan, then likely arrive in U.S. dealerships either late in 2014 or early in 2015. 

When it does, folks will be able to enjoy the same kind of high-efficiency, zoom-zoom driving experience offered in next-gen Mazda vehicles like the Mazda3, Mazda6 and CX-5, as well as a fresh execution of the brand's "Kodo: Soul of Motion" design language, and most of the automaker's latest technologies, too. The company already has confirmed that the 2016 Mazda Mazda2 will offer both

its newest connectivity system and the i-ACTIVSENSE suite of safety measures, and it's further worth mentioning that the vehicle that presaged the new production car—the Hazumi concept—also boasts the i-ELOOP regenerative braking system and stop/start technology.

Needless to say, if the latter tech shows up on the 2016 Mazda Mazda2, drivers should see some very impressive fuel-economy numbers, especially given the car's SKYACTIV powertrain. Speaking of which, the initial report from Mazda is that—for the Japanese market—the redesigned Mazda2 will offer both a 1.3-liter gas engine and a 1.5-liter clean diesel, but neither of those units would seem to be a good fit with U.S. drivers, since the former only provides about 83 hp and a like number of lb.-ft. of torque, and the latter would add a notable price premium.

Instead, U.S. drivers can look for the slightly larger 1.5-liter SKYACTIV-G unit in the 2016 Mazda Mazda2, where it should produce about 99 hp and 111 lb.-ft. of torque; that compares to the current version's engine, which serves up 100 hp and 98 lb.-ft. of torque. It's also worth noting that because the already-mentioned i-ACTIVSENSE system includes forward collision-mitigation technology, there's a decent chance the 2016 Mazda Mazda2 could become the first mainstream subcompact to earn a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

 The Mazda minions can expect more info about the 2016 Mazda Mazda2 as its on-sale date approaches.

The 2014 Mazda Mazda2 is on sale now with pricing that starts at $14,720 and some serious marketplace momentum: Following a June in which demand for the car shot up by 183 percent, reflecting 2,103 deliveries, the Mazda2 ended the first half of the year with 7,957 sales that marked a 42.2 percent surge over its performance during the first half of 2013.