2015 Mazda2 Revealed Ahead Of Fall Debut

For seven years now, the Mazda2 has steadfastly served the small car market, delivering Zoom-zoom at a low cost and with a small footprint. But it’s time for a change, and that change comes from the 2015 Mazda2, which gets an all-new look that has been revealed ahead of its debut this fall.

The 2015 Mazda2 will debut to the public at the Paris Auto Show in October, but we get our first look at the tiny Mazda today. Thankfully it sticks close with the Hazumi concept that debuted last year, and engine options currently include a 1.5 liter gas or diesel motor. You’ll also have your option of either an automatic or manual transmission. Mazda paid special attention to improved the new SkyActiv chassis.

In addition to refined driving dynamics, the 2015 Mazda2 also gets a suite of safety and connectivity technologies. The new “supermini” as Mazda refers to it will also be sold overseas as the Demio, and while I don’t expect the diesel engine to come to American shores (still waiting on that diesel Mazda6…), Mazda has been toying with the idea of a rotary-powered plug-in hybrid.

No fuel economy or horsepower figures have been released yet either, as Mazda is likely saving that for the big Paris debut.

       

Source: Gas 2.

Toyota Excited By Next Mazda-Based Yaris Small Car

Toyota has admitted that its Yaris small car isn't a marketing priority right now in the U.S.

Instead, much of the company's efforts are going into the top-selling Corolla line--but when the firm's next-generation small car hits the streets, things could change.

The next Toyota subcompact isn't yet confirmed to use the Yaris name, but we do know it'll be based on the next Mazda2, and built at Mazda's facility in Salamanca, Mexico.

Wards Auto reports that Toyota is looking forward to the new small car, and some members of Toyota's U.S. dealer council have already seen photos of the new car. Response to the new vehicle has apparently been positive.

Production of the new car is set to begin in summer 2015, and U.S. Toyota division group president Bill Fay says he expects the car will use an identical powertrain to the Mazda.

Both companies expect to gain economies of scale from the partnership, while Toyota will strengthen its presence in the subcompact market--where it currently lags behind rivals like the Nissan Versa and Kia Rio.

Fay explains that the Yaris isn't currently a marketing priority for Toyota, the company putting more attention and resources towards marketing the Corolla, a U.S. top seller.

With the Mazda-sourced car on the way however, Fay says that could change in the future.

Source: Green Car Reports

Mazda to lease approx. 100 units of Demio EV (Mazda2) in Japan from October; coil-switching system in motor

Demio EV. Click to enlarge.

Mazda Motor Corporation will begin leasing the Demio EV in October 2012. The Demio EV is an independently developed electric vehicle based on the Mazda Demio (known outside of Japan as Mazda2). Mazda intends to lease approximately 100 units in total, mainly to local governments and corporate customers in the Chugoku region of Western Japan (where Mazda’s headquarters are located).
The Demio EV features a 20 kWh, 346 V Li-ion battery pack and Mazda coil-switching electric motor with maximum output of 75 kW from 5,200 to 12,000 rpm and maximum torque of 150 N·m (111 lb-ft) from 0–2800 rpm. Driving range is up to 200 kilometers (124 miles) on the JC08 mode test cycle, as measured by Mazda.
Motor. The Demio EV uses a permanent magnet three-phase alternating current synchronous electric motor employing a coil-switching system. Conventional electric motors provide either high torque in low revolutions, or low torque at high revolutions. The coil switching system enables the motor to have both of these characteristics in one motor by switching the number of coils according to the rotational speeds, Mazda says. Making the most of the motor’s characteristics, the Demio EV realizes strong acceleration response at take-off and smooth acceleration response at high speeds.

The Demio EV motor. Click to enlarge.		Acceleration tuning with the coil-switching motor. Click to enlarge.

The motor in the electric drive unit in the Demio EV is smaller than that of an ordinary motor capable of generating the same power output, thanks to the employment of the coil-switching type motor. Additionally, the battery pack case is made from aluminum to further reduce weight. As a result, the weight gain of Demio EV associated with a change to EV is limited to only 190 kg (419 lb) more than the base model, resulting in the total vehicle weight of 1,180 kg (2,601 lb).

Positioning of the battery pack and power electronics. Click to enlarge.

Battery. The Demio EV’s Lithium-ion battery achieves high energy density through the use of 18650-type battery cells connected both in parallel and in series for optimal configuration. Due to the high energy density of the battery module and small size of the cooling system, the Demio EV is equipped with a compact battery pack. As a result, the Demio EV is able to offer the same cabin space and cargo volume as the base model.
With ordinary use, the battery is expected to maintain 80% of capacity even after 5 years.

Battery pack. Click to enlarge.

Optimal positioning of the battery pack close to the center of the vehicle improved longitudinal weight distribution and weight ratio of sprung and unsprung in comparison to the base model. The result is a balance of agile handling and high-quality, comfortable ride.
A regular charge at 200VAC, 15A takes about 8 hours. A fast charge (CHAdeMO compliant) with a 50 kW charger takes approximately 40 minutes (80% charge).

Drive modes in the Demio EV. Click to enlarge.

Drive modes. In addition to D range for normal driving, the Demio EV has an E range for eco-friendly driving which focuses on power control while increasing the amount of electricity regenerated under braking. Furthermore, a Charge Switch button makes regenerative braking work even stronger when the vehicle is driving down-hill.
Other features. A 100V power feed system can be mounted in the tire pan space beneath the rear trunk (factory-installed option). It can supply up to 1,500W and 100V of AC power to home appliances. It can also be used as a power source at outside and also as an emergency power source in the event of natural disasters.
A Vehicle Proximity Notification System is designed to alert pedestrians of the vehicle’s approach. When driving at speeds of 25km/h (15.5 mph) or less, speakers mounted inside the engine bay generate pseudo-driving noise. The noise generated changes in accordance with speed and whether the vehicle is travelling forward or in reverse.
The Demio EV is installed with an air conditioning system dedicated to EVs. A Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater directly heats air going into the cabin within seconds and the cooling system uses electric compressor.
The price (including tax) is ¥3,577,000 (US$44,746). Through the lease program, Mazda intends to gain further knowledge of electric drive technology and the usefulness of such products to the customer.


Source: Green Car Congress

Mazda SkyActive-G 1.3 Engine Set to Achieve 70 MPG - Without Hybrid Tech

The 2011 Mazda2 is already one of the most fun small cars on the market, sharing its platform with Ford's Fiesta. It's pretty economical too, but with Mazda's next generation of gasoline engine, it'll become very efficient indeed.

The 1.3-liter Skyactiv-G unit soon to be found in the Mazda2 gets 30 kilometers per liter on Japan's 10-15 mode test cycle. That's just over 70 miles per gallon, with no diesel nor hybrid system in sight. EPA figures are usually 10-20 percent below that of Japanese tests, but even considering that, a worst-case 56 mpg doesn't seem too bad to us.

Behind the ultra-efficiency is the Skyactiv's high compression ratio at 14:1. Normally the high pressures created under such a high ratio would result in knocking, but revised pistons and other modifications have taken care of the problem. Skyactiv-G also uses direct injection and stop-start technology to further increase efficiency on the Japanese cycle.

The engine makes 83 horsepower and 82 pounds-feet of torque, which sits between the two current 1.3-liter MZR units Mazda sells in other markets. Japan loves automatics as much as the U.S. does, and the car manages its 70mpg with a CVT transmission.

Unfortunately for small car fans, the 1.3-liter Skyactiv isn't likely to hit U.S. shores, but a larger 2.0-liter variant with the same technology is due in the Mazda3 and Mazda CX-5 crossover in 2012.



Source: Autoblog Green

Mazda reveals electric Demio prototype in Japan

2010 Mazda Demio – Click above for high-res image gallery

Though trailing competitors General Motors and Nissan, Mazda will eventually enter the plug-in vehicle segment in 2012. The Japanese automaker intends to launch a battery-powered subcompact based on the Demio (aka Mazda2) in spring 2012. With the debut of the production electric hatchback still nearly two years away, Mazda decided to wheel out two prototypes of the Demio electric in Japan.

The prototype version sports a lithium-ion battery pack wedged into the vehicle's engine bay, according to Integrity Exports. That chunk of li-ion reportedly makes the electric version ten percent heavier than its gasoline-engined counterpart. Regardless, Mazda still claims the electric Demio will have a range of approximately 200 kilometers (124 miles).

The prototype Demios will initially be used to ferry local dignitaries to the reopening of the Miyajima Aquarium in Japan on August 1st. Then, the battery-powered hatchbacks will take to the streets of Hiroshima for some real-world testing

It should be noted that, at least for now, Mazda only intends to offer its battery-powered Demio to lessees – mostly government organizations and corporate fleet customers – in Japan. Mazda is mum on pricing and production volume for this subcompact electric hatch.



Source: Autoblog Green