Mazda Demio

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Mazda Demio
Manufacturer Mazda
Also called Mazda2
Mazda 121
Ford Festiva Miniwagon
Production 1996–present
Predecessor Ford Festiva
Autozam Revue
Mazda 121
Class Subcompact
Transmission(s) Ford IB5
Related Ford Fiesta
Ford Fusion
TR6H
1998 Mazda Demio
Production 1996–2001
Body style(s) 5-door hatchback
TS7I
DY Demio
Production 2002–2006
Body style(s) 5-door hatchback
TT8J
Third Demio
Production 2007–
Body style(s) 5-door hatchback
4-door saloon
See also Mazda 121 for other cars using this name

The Demio (also sold as the Mazda 121, Mazda Metro, Mazda2 and Ford Festiva Mini Wagon) was originally a small minivan or tall station wagon which debuted in 1996. The third generation Demio introduced in 2007 was a significant departure from earlier models in terms of style, giving it a much sportier appearance and earning it the 2008 World Car of the Year title.[1]

As of 2005, 892,000 Demios had been sold worldwide since introduction.


Contents

[edit] Origin

In the 1980s Ford approached Mazda to create a B-segment small car for it. This resulted in the 1987 Ford Festiva. The same platform spawned the Autozam Revue in 1990, which Mazda sold as the 121 in most markets. Then the Festiva was redesigned in January 1993, still based on the same platform. Kia also built versions of the first and second Festiva, both for itself and for Ford's sale in the United States (Kia Pride and Kia Avella).

[edit] 1996

When it came to redesigning the Revue, Mazda came up with a tall hatchback, minivan-esque package (the Revue was already over 1500 mm (59.1 in) tall). Introduced in a time full of negative press coverage, the Demio became a surprise hit for Mazda in Japan, and also foreshadows the current crop of B-segment minivans such as the Opel Meriva, Fiat Idea and the Renault Modus.

The new 1996 Demio (sold as either the Demio or 121 outside Japan, or Metro in Australia) used the DW platform. Production started in July of 1996. The Demio was updated for 2000 with a revised exterior, cabin air filtration, retuned automatic transmission, and available DSC due to a 2002 redesign. It was also sold in Japan as the Ford Festiva Mini Wagon.

The original model still in production in Mazda's Colombia plant to end of 2008.

Engines:

  • 1.3 L B3-ME I4 (1996-1998)
  • 1.5 L B5-ME I4 (1996-1998)
  • 1.3 L B3E I4, 61 kW (82 hp)/ 108 N·m (80 ft·lbf) (1999-2001)
  • 1.5 L B5E I4, 74 kW (99 hp)/ 127 N·m (94 ft·lbf) (2000-2001)

Dimension:

  • Length: 3800 mm (149.6 in)
  • Width: 1670 mm (65.7 in)
  • Height: 1535 mm (60.4 in)
  • Wheelbase: 2390 mm (94.1 in)

NBA star Scott Pippen appeared in the TV commercials for the Demio's launch.

[edit] 2002

The Demio was redesigned in 2002 on the DY platform. The Demio name continued in Japan, while the rest of the world dropped Demio and other names in favor of Mazda2. Since debut, 2 has earned itself a name for being practical and fun to drive, pushing its Japanese domestic sale to as high as 7th place.

The badge-engineered Ford version is no longer made, as Ford began importing the Fiesta into Japan. It is based on Ford's Fiesta on the Global Ford B3 platform which is based on Mazda's DY platform. The car is produced for Europe at a Ford plant in Valencia, Spain. North American sales of the Mazda2 are expected to start in 2007, where other subcompacts (Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, Honda Fit) will also debut. It will fill the gap in Mazda's subcompact line since the Mazda 323 hatchback was discontinued for North America in the mid-1990s.

All Demios come with ABS and EBD, and stability control is optional. An innovative feature offered in Japan is e-4WD, a hybrid car-type system which uses an electric motor to power the rear wheels of this front wheel drive vehicle when needed. In the Demio, this system is used only as a traction aid, not for increased fuel economy as in most other vehicles.

Three trim levels are available, each targeted by Mazda at a different demographic:

  • Cozy for single women with special paint colors and an optional canvas sunroof
  • SPORT is for young men
  • Casual focuses on young families

(these are for the Japanese market only).

In Europe, trim levels were S, TS and TS2. The TS and TS2 were renamed Antares and Capella in 2004. The Japanese 1.3 and 1.5 petrol engines are not available, but Ford's 1.25-litre 16v Yamaha engine is used, and Mazda's 1.4 and 1.6 petrol, plus the 1.6 diesel are offered.

The Mazda2 is sold with a variety of Z-family engines:

Dimension:

  • Length: 3925 mm (154.5 in) / 3940 mm (155.1 in) (Facelift)
  • Width: 1680 mm (66.1 in)
  • Height: 1530 mm (60.2 in)
  • Wheelbase: 2490 mm (98 in)

. . In 2004 Mazda introduced the Verisa in Japan. The Verisa is based on the Demio but targeted further upmarket.

In April 2005 Mazda announced a facelift for this Demio due to a 2007 redesign.

Japanese actress Misaki Ito appeared in the TV commercials for the Demio.

[edit] 2007

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Please update the article to reflect recent events / newly available information, and remove this template when finished.

The new Mazda2 is the first of Mazda's Zoom-Zoom cars to receive an upgrade. The new Mazda2 is also a radical departure from the 2002 model. It abandons the practical and boxy shape and replaces it with a more sleek body. The Demio[2] is expected to be revamped for the 2007 model year, with the sporty MicroSport coupe added for Europe and Japan.

The all new 2 is built on an all new automobile platform, shared with the upcoming 2008 Ford Fiesta. It deploys light weight material and reduces the overall dimensions of the car; this was due to enhanced development opportunities. A new 1.3 litre and a new 1.5 litre engines were introduced these engines will be coupled with a five speed manual or a four speed automatic. Inside the vehicle major improvements are apparent, with the adoption of MX-5 styled air vents and dashboard qualities.

A digital fuel gauge had been introduced to improve fuel monitoring equipment. Stability control will not be standard in the Mazda 2 range but is available as a $1000 extra. The suspension and NVH levels have been improved to help vehicle quality. In an Australian fuel cycle the 2 can achieve 6 litres/100km which is average for this type of car. There are two trim levels available for the new 2 range, the first is known as the Neo which is the base model. It comes standard with air-conditioning and 15-inch alloy wheels, though side air bags, 16-inch alloy wheels and a sports body kit come as standard on the range topping Genki. [3]

Mazda has announced that the next generation of the car, referred to as "the next sub compact, B-segment Mazda", will not be manufactured in Valencia, Spain, but in Hiroshima, Japan [1]. It will feature either an MZR 1.35 liter engine, or a larger MZR 1.5 liter engine. Additionally, Mazda has released information regarding a Mazda2 MPS model with a direct-injection Turbo engine and all-wheel-drive.[4] Photos of the new Mazda2 can be seen in Mazda's pertinent press release.

Mazda has already announced that the sedan version of Mazda2 will be produced for the Chinese market by Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. at its Nanjing plant. The car will go on sale in the first half of 2008[5].

Dimension:

  • Length: 3900 mm (153.5 in) (Facelift)
  • Width: 1695 mm (66.7 in)
  • Height: 1495 mm (58.9 in)
  • Wheelbase: 2490 mm (98 in)

[edit] See also

[edit] External Links

[edit] References

  1. ^ World Car of the Year Awards, 2008
  2. ^ http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2007-mazda2/|title=Geneva Motorshow photographs of the brand new Mazda2
  3. ^ “two sexy”, Wheels magazine: July 2007: 60–64, 2007 
  4. ^ Future Products - Mazda. AutoWeek. Retrieved on August 16, 2006.
  5. ^ http://www.mazda.com/publicity/release/2007/200711/071119.html Mazda to Showcase All-New Mazda2 Sedan World Premiere at the 2007 Guangzhou Motor Show
v • d • e
Mazda road car timeline, 1990s–2000s
Type 1990s 2000s
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Kei car Carol Carol Carol Carol
AZ-Wagon
AZ-Offroad
Spiano
Scrum Scrum/Scrum Wagon Scrum/Scrum Wagon
Subcompact Revue/121 Demio/121 Demio/2 Demio/2
Verisa
Compact Familia/323/Protegé Familia/323/Protegé Familia/323/Protegé Axela/3
Mid-size Capella/626 Capella Capella/626 Atenza/6 Atenza/6
Cronos/626/Xedos 6/Eunos 500
Eunos 800/Xedos 9/Millenia
Full-size Sentia/929/Efini MS-8 Sentia
Sports car MX-6/Mystère MX-6/Mystère/Efini MS-6
MX-5/Miata MX-5/Miata MX-5
MX-3 Precidia
RX-7 Efini RX-7/RX-7 RX-8
Cosmo
AZ-1
Pickup B-Series B-Series B-Series
Minivan Premacy Premacy/5
Efini MPV/MPV MPV MPV/8
Crossover CX-7
CX-9
SUV Navajo Tribute Tribute