Mazda is rumored to be considering building a premium variant of its next-generation Mazda2 supermini, which will be aimed at the Mini Hatch. While the 2015 Mazda2 will retain much of the styling cues from the Hazumi concept, the Japanese company will also develop a more upmarket, restyled version to take on Mini’s Hatch, Citroen’s DS3 and Audi’s A1 posh superminis.
According to Japan’s Holiday Auto magazine, the more luxurious Mazda2 will be called Verisa and will succeed the namesake model sold exclusively in Japan since 2004. Mazda Verisa (pictured here) is a more upright and upmarket version of the first-generation Mazda2.
The report cites an anonymous industry insider who said that the new generation Mazda2 (called Demio in Japan) “will also have another totally new car.”
The difference this time will be that the Verisa will be sold worldwide and not only in Japan. According to the report, the upcoming Mazda Verisa would act as a competitor for the Mini Hatch and Citroen DS3. The new model is reportedly developed by Mazda’s European subsidiary, with a performance version also likely to happen. Aimed at the Mini Cooper S, the hot Verisa could be powered by the 2.2-liter SkyActive-D diesel engine.
Upcoming Mazda3 and Mazda6 MPS performance versions are also rumored to get diesel engines. The Verisa is expected to debut in concept form at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show and in production guise at the end of the first quarter of 2016.
By Dan Mihalascu
Story References: Holiday Auto via Cars Guide
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