Spy Shots: Mazda2 in the Golden State
Although at first appearing to be a mini-me version of Porsche's Cayenne SUV, the image you see here is actually believed to be a test mule for Mazda's upcoming Mazda2. Caught in testing in California by Hidden Image photographer Antoine Guilbaud, the new supermini doesn't look anything like the Mazda2 we're aware of being sold overseas, but that's because it's wearing the attractive skin of the Mazda Veriza, which is sold only in Japan. The actual next-gen Mazda2 will look something like this. As we told you in September, Mazda is expected to bring a version of the new Mazda2 over to the States at some point. The fact that this mule was caught in California is the real news, as that suggests Mazda is testing the new 2 for U.S. emmissions and safety standards. With the Yaris, Fit and now Versa all on the ground in the U.S., Mazda needs to shake a leg and hurry up.
[Source: Winding Road]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
CJ 6:17PM (12/21/2006)
I think actually like the Veriza better, much more unique!
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Primal5 7:25PM (12/21/2006)
I saw this car about 3 days ago in Glendale, CA. I was driving back to work and saw a car that looked primered with test equipment and right hand drive!!!
At the time it looked like a 4 door Mini Cooper....
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shocka 7:41PM (12/21/2006)
that actually appears to be the japanese market verisa... which is indeed (in my opinion) a much funkier, nicer car than the mazda2... even the new version (based on current spy shots.) hope they do bring that one here!
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Kansei 10:27PM (12/21/2006)
wrong.. they stuck verisa badges, taillights, headlights, and fenders onto a Mazda2.. look at the side profile, the fitment of hte taillights, etc.
What's funny is that they said they weren't going to bring the Mazda2 here, and there are already spy shots of a next gen Mazda2 floating around the interweb and this definitely isn't it.
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Elliott 9:45AM (12/22/2006)
Another vote for Veriza. Bring on the funky.
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rvr 4:24PM (12/22/2006)
sorry, but that's the verisa. this is the current mazda2 (http://www.mazda.co.uk/Showroom/Mazda2/). i like them both, but the verisa is better. so cool and funky. and so sick when they showed it around with 17" rims a few years ago. bring it here! as long as it doesn't look like the spy pics of what i guess is the new mazda2. i don't like that thing. why do so many designs have to have a million different body lines and angles? ugh.
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michi 6:02AM (1/26/2007)
I'm all for the Verisa in the US, but I'd think it'd be a little small, being that its a Japan-only model designed for Japanese people, who, no offense, aren't the tallest people in the world. I think it could be the next Mini, with those cute looks and all. Maybe they could make a LWB version for the US.
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michi 6:01AM (1/26/2007)
BTW, according to the Mazda Japan site, the Verisa is just barely under 4m long, the cabin's just under 2m long(1.8m), the car's 1,4m wide, and from what I can tell, the rear seat footroom is 27cm. I think thats too small for many Americans.
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