Hot-Hatch Loving Mazda UK Wants a Mazda2 MPS
Fresh on the showroom floor, the Mazda2 supermini looks to be a popular choice for British buyers looking for a small, fun to drive package. But marketing forces within Mazda UK want more.
Mazda UK is pestering its Japanese parent company to build a faster variant of the car, to help sate the hot-hatch appetite of the British motoring public.
(Click through the jump to read on about the chances of a British Mazda2 MPS.)
There are no official plans by Mazda to bring a Mazda2 MPS to the UK, but the carmaker admits that it would be possible. That sliver of hope has Mazda UK marketing director Mark Cameron is lobbying to bring such a car to English shores.
If the critical success of the Mazdaspeed3 were any indication, a tuned version of the smaller, lighter Mazda2 would seem to be a sure-fire winner. With the 2’s low curb weight, and a turbo-charged version of its current 1.5-liter four, a Mazda2 MPS would seem to be a pocket-rocket of the first order.
Sadly, as chances of seeing any version of the Mazda2 in the US are dim, we’ll be forced to make due with the entertaining 3, while wishing the best of luck to our British enthusiast cousins.
+ Autocar: UK wants Mazda 2 MPS
Comments
Ducati Minor
Ford Motor will probably reconsider. Ford has no sub-compact vehicle on market. The closest was the ZX3 Focus hatchback, and Ford has dropped that in favor of a simple coupe/sedan offering for 2008. Chevrolet, Nissan, Honda, Toyota, Kia, and VW all have products in the growing sub-compact class; it would be foolish to ignore that. I suspect the Mazda2 will make it to these shores in the next three years.
mo
mazda 2 .... sounds like a barbie car. the mazdaspeed 3 didn't impress me at all as well although its price is really good, but they should’ve done all wheel drive to take that torque steering out. I am waiting to see the mazdaspeed 6 hoping they bring something that can handle.
Clint
A problem that many have brought up concerning the Mazda 2 in America is that the Mazda 3 is already a very good and affordable car at the limits of how small US buyers are willing to go. The Mazda 2 will have to be much cheaper than the 3 for the car to attract buyers who wouldn't otherwise just buy the 3. However, it must still be profitable in order to build the business case for American availability. I'm not sure this is possible, but I'd love to see another minicar on the market here, especially one built by the talented engineers at Mazda.
naggs
new speed/dollar champ?
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