Priced at £8,499 on-the-road, Mazda wants to boost its B-segment sales to 12,000 during 2008.
Mark Cameron, Mazda UK's marketing director, said: "We are focusing on retail sales with the new Mazda2 and the factory in Japan has prioritised our deliveries so that we will have the first 1,000 units destined for the European market coming to the UK in time for the launch period."
Cameron said the simple choice of three engines and three trim levels (TS, TS2 and Sport) was deliberate in order to offer a ‘clear and straightforward choice’ for its young prospective buyers.
"We anticipate that 55% of buyers will select the TS2 model, with 25% ordering a Sport and 20% the entry-level TS," said Cameron.
Mazda is supporting the launch of the new supermini with campaigns on TV, press and on-line, representing one third of the manufacturer’s 2007 advertising budget.
"Some Mazda dealers will have a Mazda2 demonstrator in the ‘stand-out’ colour spirited green metallic. The Mazda2 has the best palette we’ve ever had and packed with bright and vibrant colours that will appeal to the younger buyer," Cameron added.
From launch, Mazda2 is being offered in the UK with a choice of three four cylinder petrol engines, each mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Customers can choose from the 1.3-litre power unit in 73bhp or 84bhp forms, both returning 52.3mpg on the combined cycle and generating a 129g/km of CO2. Those buyers in search of higher performance can specify the 101bhp, 1.5-litre engine which still records 47.9mpg and has a CO2 rating of 140g/km.
A 1.4 turbo diesel will be added to the line-up at the end of this year.
Mazda2 price list
1.3 TS £8,499
1.3 TS2 £9,999
1.5 Sport £11,799
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