Mazda has officially unveiled the Mazda2 Hybrid for the European market as a rebadged Toyota Yaris. The self-charging hybrid supermini will be available from spring 2022, sold alongside the existing 2002 Mazda2 which was recently launched.
We already knew that Mazda was preparing
its own version of the Toyota Yaris Hybrid from last year’s reports as well as
a camouflaged prototype that was spotted a few months ago. As we expected, the
end result looks identical to the Yaris, minus the badges. Speaking of that,
while the Mazda emblem is different from the oval-shaped Toyota, the designers
did a great job in integrating it without changing any of the body panels. The
same applies to the interior as the only difference with the Yaris is the Mazda
badge on the steering wheel and the Mazda2 lettering on the floor mats.
The model is based on the TNGA-B
architecture measuring 3,940 mm long with a 2,550 mm wheelbase. Toyota’s latest self-charging hybrid powertrain produces a
combined 114 HP and 169 Nm of torque. The system
consists of a naturally aspirated 1,490 cc three-cylinder engine producing 91
hp, an electric motor producing 79 hp that is
linked to the front wheels, plus a second electric motor for starting the
engine and charging the lithium-ion battery pack. The latter is charging
through energy regeneration during deceleration and from the petrol engine
allowing the supermini to start and run in EV mode for prolonged periods of
time.
The Mazda2 Hybrid can accelerate from
0-100 km/h in 9.7 seconds, but what is impressive is the combined
WLTP fuel economy ranging between 3.8-4.0 lt/100km (74.3-70.6 mpg UK /
61.9-58.8 mpg US). The CO2 emissions are 87-93 g/km depending on whether the
car is fitted with 15″ or 16″ wheels. The Mazda2 Hybrid is offered in three
trim levels namedd Pure, Agile, and Select. This is the first time Mazda is
offering a full hybrid model in its European range which includes plenty of
mild hybrids and the fully electric MX-30. The rebadged model will help Mazda
to reduce the average emissions of its fleet in Europe and comply with the
strict regulations. The company says it is aiming to reduce corporate average
well-to-wheel CO2 emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by
2050.
