• New Mazda2 3dr brings even more excitement to the small car market
• Choice of five Mazda2 3dr models from just £7,999 (on-the-road)
• 1.3-litre petrol and 1.4-litre diesel on sale now, 1.5-litre petrol follows in July
• Generous standard equipment with Thatcham Category 1 alarm and immobiliser
• Lightweight delivers performance and fuel economy to match best-in-class

Mazda is introducing three-door versions of its all-new Mazda2 small car this month, with a starting price of just £7,999 on-the-road – making the Mazda2 TS 3dr 1.3 petrol one of the most price-competitive small cars in the UK.

This is the first time that Mazda has offered a three-door variant in its popular Mazda2 model range. The newcomer features all the technology and attributes of the five-door hatchback, while delivering the same sporty feel to its dynamic drive at an even more affordable price. Since launch, the new Mazda2 has attracted almost 7,000 buyers and raised Mazda’s share of the small car market in 2008 to 2.4 per cent.

The Mazda2 5dr, which was introduced in September 2007, broke the industry trend for increasing weight and size with each successive replacement model.  New Mazda2 is 100kg lighter than the previous model, thanks to Mazda’s ‘gram strategy’ diet, and the use of lightweight ultra-high tensile steels and new technology – leading to excellent fuel consumption and low CO2 emissions.

“Demand for the new Mazda2 5dr has been greater than we anticipated and the arrival of the new three-door model, with its special appeal to a different group of consumers, will accelerate sales to a much higher level,” comments Mark Cameron, Mazda UK marketing director. 

“Our original small car segment sales target for 2008 was an ambitious, but realistic 12,000 units – tripling our sales in this sector.  Now, we are confident of achieving 15,000 sales as the three-door model with its keen pricing, £500 lower model-for-model, boosts the Zoom Zoom appeal of Mazda2 to a wider audience.”

Mazda anticipates that up to 50 per cent of new Mazda2 buyers will choose the three-door body style and that a large number will opt for the highly specified ‘Sport’ version.  The unique Crystal White Pearlescent exterior paint is also expected to be a popular choice. 

“Mazda hasn't had a three-door model in the small car segment since the 1990s and certainly not with the appeal of the new Mazda2, so in some ways we are moving into unknown territory,” observes Cameron.  “The advertising for the three-door will build on the momentum established by the successful campaign featuring the ‘Spirited Green’ five-door.  We will continue to highlight the Mazda2’s athletic performance, agility and light weight, but will feature a Pearlescent White car and also spotlight the lower entry level price.” 

The Same – But Different
Both the three-door and five-door versions of new Mazda2 share common exterior and interior dimensions.  The only difference between the two body styles is the rear seat shoulder room, which is 25mm larger in the five-door model.

The exceptionally generous standard equipment on the new Mazda2 3dr model parallels the Mazda2 5dr specification closely with only four differences.  The three-door model features ‘tilt-and-slide’ front seats to allow access to the rear seats, unique side sills in the Sports Styling Kit and the exclusive availability (for a limited period during the launch), of Crystal White Pearlescent exterior paint on all models.  Unlike the five-door, the Sport three-door model is not equipped with electric rear windows.

So well equipped is each trim level of Mazda2 that the line-up starts with TS, rather than S, models and the options list is remarkably short (see table).  Standard equipment on the Mazda2 TS 3dr (from £7,999) includes: driver and passenger front airbags, remote central locking with deadlocks, electric front windows, driver seat height adjust, ‘tilt-and-slide’ front seats, CD radio with auxiliary jack, multi-function glovebox with magazine rack and a Thatcham Category 1 alarm and immobiliser.

The new Mazda2 TS2 3dr (from £9,509) has 12 additional equipment items.  Topping the three-door range is the new Mazda2 Sport 3dr (from £11,399).  This model also gains 12 extra items of equipment.

In addition to Pearlescent White, customers for both three-door and five-door models can choose between nine regular exterior colours.  Inside, both body styles are finished in three colours – Charcoal Black (TS), Black (TS2) or Black Sports (Sport) upholstery. 

Less weight without compromising Safety  
The Mazda2 5dr achieved a 5-Star Euro NCAP crash test safety rating last year and the new three-door Mazda2 benefits from the same level of safety design, engineering and equipment.  The front doors of the three-door model are 163mm longer than those on the five door and the B-Pillar has been moved back by a similar amount. 

Consequently, the three-door’s structure has been redesigned to provide extra resistance to side impacts.  Inside the front doors, the lower side impact bars are made of 25 percent thicker material and also have a 17 per cent thicker cross section.  The repositioned B pillars are shaped differently from those of the five-door, giving extra strength to the bodyshell at the beltline.

Recently, new Mazda2 5dr was declared winner of the 2008 World Car of the Year (WCOTY) title.  The Mazda2 beat off 39 other new cars, including the short-listed Ford Mondeo and Mercedes C-Class, to claim the ‘world’s best car’ crown. 

Lively Performance and Excellent Economy
The new Mazda2 3dr models weigh just 5-to-10kg less than the Mazda2 5dr models, so the lively performance (0 to 62mph from 10.4 seconds, top speed up to 117mph), excellent fuel economy (up to 65.7mpg), low exhaust emissions and modest CO2 levels (from just 114g/km) of the two versions are identical. 

Ultimately, the Mazda2 3dr will be offered with the same choice of three petrol engines, and one turbo-diesel engine, as the Mazda2 5dr – each mated to a five-speed manual
transmission.  At launch, customers can choose from the 1.3-litre petrol engine in two power outputs (75 and 86ps), and a 1.4-litre 68ps diesel.  The 1.5-litre 103ps petrol engine will be available from the end of July. 

6.9% APR Finance until 30 June 2008
Mazda dealers are currently offering both three-door and five-door versions of the new Mazda2 hatchback with typical 6.9% APR finance on both Mazda Hire Purchase and Mazda MultiOption (PCP) plan.  This offer is available for retail sales only, until 30 June 2008.  

New Mazda2 Price List – May 2008

NB ‘On the road prices’ include number plates, 12 months road fund licence and first registration tax.