Mazda 2 and Cx-3 (facelift)
Mazda’s sweeping revisions for its entire range
continues – the company has announced that it has revamped the Mazda 2 (Demio) and CX-3
in Japan with minor design changes plus
a few new technological updates. The order books are opened starting today,
with sales beginning on November 17.
Although the basic design of both cars hasn’t been
touched, there have been a few small detail changes. On the 2, you’ll now find
LED front fog lights with chrome trim, while the current body-coloured front
grille trim on higher-spec models has been replaced with a grey metallic
finish. Also new are revised LED indicators integrated to the side mirrors.
The CX-3 gets even more subtle changes – the base XD
model now has LED headlights and 18-inch wheels, the same as the rest of the
lineup. Both cars receive the new Machine Grey Metallic paint option that
debuted on the CX-9, along with Eternal Blue Mica. The 2 also gains new Deep
Crimson Mica and Sonic Silver Metallic options, while the CX-3 gets Snowflake
White Pearl Mica for the first time.
Inside, both the 2 and the CX-3 benefit from a new,
thinner three-spoke steering wheel, along with a revised instrument cluster
that is clearer and more legible. Also added is a new full-colour head-up
display, along with an optional 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with
memory function (which also saves the positioning and brightness of the HUD), a
steering wheel heater and auto-folding wing mirrors on the CX-3.
Minor trim changes are exclusive to the 2. The
range-topping 13S and XD Touring L Package now gets new pure white leather
upholstery option (previously off-white) with red air vent trim, while the
black leather upholstery option gains suede-like Grand Luxe trim. Meanwhile,
the 13S and XD Touring models have revised fabric upholstery, and the 13S and
XD models benefit from a new houndstooth fabric pattern.
Both models receive their own special
edition models. The 2’s Tailored Brown variant adds quilted brown Grand Luxe
upholstery and orange interior highlights, while the CX-3’s Noble Brown gets
brown Nappa leather and Grand Luxe upholstery. Both cars can be distinguished
from the outside through high-sheen dark-painted alloy wheels.
In Japan, the Mazda 2 soldiers on with the same 93
PS/123 Nm 1.3 litre direct-injected SkyActiv-G petrol engine and 105 PS/250 Nm
1.5 litre SkyActiv-D turbodiesel; the CX-3 is only available with the latter.
Both are matched to a choice of six-speed SkyActiv-MT manual and SkyActiv-Drive
automatic gearboxes, and are available in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel
drive forms.
The oil-burner receives refinements such as a
Natural Sound Smoother piston pin damper and more finely-controlled fuel
injection timing (Natural Sound Frequency Control) to reduce knock and engine
vibration. The CX-3 also benefits from thicker rear windscreen glass and
increased sound insulation.
Both cars are now available with
adaptive LED headlights, Traffic Sign Recognition, pedestrian detection for the
Advanced Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) – with a speed range that’s now
increased to 4-100 km/h for vehicles and 10-100 km/h for pedestrians – and SCBS
Reverse. The 2 also gains Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC), which has been
available on the CX-3 since the start.
All new Mazda 2 and CX-3 models come with
G-Vectoring Control system which modulates engine torque to optimise vertical
load on each wheel, improving steering response and stability. The steering and
suspension systems of both models have also been revised for improved ride and
handling.