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31/03/2010 | By: Dennis Chung

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After seeing the consumer feedback for the 2011 Mazda2 after its unveiling at the Los Angeles Auto Show in December, Mazda has decided to launch the new sub-compact in late July, starting at $13,980.

The Mazda2 will be available at two trim levels, Sport and Touring. Both come with a 1.5L four-cylinder engine claiming 100 hp. All Mazda2 models will come with either five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. According to Mazda, manual Mazda2 models will get 28 mpg in the city, 35 mpg on the highway. The automatic transmission Mazda2 also gets 28 mpg in the city while highway fuel efficiency dips slightly to 34 mpg.

Priced below its competitors in its segment, the Mazda2 Sport will come standard with 15-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, four-speaker audio system, power windows and locks and keyless remote.

For an extra $1,455 (for a total of $15,435), customers can get the Mazda2 Touring which includes the features of the Sport trim but adds better seat fabric, alloy wheels, fog lights, rear roof spoiler, chrome exhaust tip, leather-wrapped steering wheel with mounted audio and cruise controls and a six-speaker sound system.

Gallery: 2011 Mazda2

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02/12/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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Mazda has just officially debuted the new Mazda2 sub-compact at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Designed to compete in an increasingly crowded market against car’s like the Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit, the Mazda2 is designed to be an affordable, sporty car that delivers what Mazda refers to as Zoom-Zoom Concentrated.

While we do know what the car looks like, Mazda hasn’t released any info on engines, horsepower or fuel-economy. In Europe and Japan, the 2 comes with either a 1.3-liter or 1.5-liter 4-cylinder, with the larger engine making 101-hp. That output number seems too low for U.S. customers and would be less than any of its competition. Even the newly unveiled Ford Fiesta (which is based on the same platform) comes with a 119-hp motor.

The European Mazda2 is, however, incredibly light (weighing just 2,100 lbs in base trim), which could help it deliver ideal performance. However, as we’ve seen with cars like the Mazda3, Mazda often prefers to use a larger displacement engine, helping make sure it delivers on its “Zoom-zoom concentrated” tag line.

GALLERY: 2011 Mazda2

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Official release after the jump:

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