The History Of Mazda Demio


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. Introduced in 2007, the third generation Demio earned the 2008 World Car Design of the Year title.

As of 2005, 892,000 Demios had been sold worldwide since introduction.[citation needed]

In the 1980s Ford approached Mazda to create a B-segment small car for it. This resulted in the introduction of 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).

When it came to redesigning the Revue, Mazda came up with a tall hatchback, minivan-esque package (the Revue was already over 1500mm (59.1in) 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 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:

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

Dimension:

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

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

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:

  • 1.3L ZJ-VE I4
  • 1.5L ZY-VE I4
  • 1.25L MZI
  • 1.4L MZI
  • 1.6L MZI
  • 1.4L MZ-CD Diesel
  • 1.4L MZ-CD Diesel

Dimension:

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

. . 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.

The new Mazda2 (still "Demio" in Japan) is a departure from the 2002 model. The Demio was for the 2007 model year, with the sporty MicroSport coupé added for Europe and Japan.

The Mazda2 is built on a new automobile platform, the DE platform, shared with the upcoming 2008 Ford Fiesta. It deploys light weight material and reduces the overall dimensions of the car. 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.

A digital fuel gauge has been introduced. Stability control will not be standard in the Mazda 2 range but is available. 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.

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 and Hofu, Japan . 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. Photos of the new Mazda2 can be seen in Mazda's pertinent press release.

There are some Mazda2 variants for different markets. Since 2008, the sedan version of Mazda2 ("Mazda2劲翔" in Simplified Chinese) has been in production for the Chinese market by Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. at its Nanjing plant. , The China-made Mazda2 hatchback also exclusively includes a variant that contains the glass sunroof. Three-door hatchback versions can also be found in European and Australian markets.

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

  • ZJ MZR 1.3-litre petrol Standard Power version with maximum power of 55 kW at 6000 rpm, maximum torque of 121 Nm at 3500 rpm
  • ZJ MZR 1.3-litre petrol High Power version with maximum output of 63 kW at 6000 rpm, maximum torque of 122 Nm at 3500 rpm
  • ZY MZR 1.5-litre petrol with maximum power of 76 kW/ 103 PS at 6000 rpm, maximum torque of 137 Nm at 4000 rpm (on dyno produces about 108BHP(~110PS) @ 6510 rpm and maximum torque of 133Nm(~13.6 kg) @ 4170 rpm)
  • Y4 MZ-CD 1.4-litre common rail turbo diesel engine with maximum power of 50 kW at 4000 rpm and maximum torque 160 Nm at 2000 rpm
  • Y6 MZ-CD 1.6-litre common rail turbo diesel engine with maximum power of 66 kW at 4000 rpm and maximum torque 205 Nm at 2000 rpm

Dimension (without any body kit):

  • Length: 3885mm (153in)
  • Width: 1695mm (66.7in)
  • Height: 1475mm (58.1in)
  • Wheelbase: 2490mm (98in)



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