GT5 Transcripts/Mazda2 DY

The Mazda Demio Sport was sold as the Mazda 2 outside Japan.

For Mazda, its compact entry, the Demio, was the company's most successful product. After six years on the market, the time came for a new second generation model. And in August 2002, that model was unveiled.

The new Demio was quite different from the first; its styling became sportier. While the first gen car's shape was defined by a box, the new one had a wedge-shaped profile, with better aerodynamics. It was built on a retuned version of the Ford Fiesta's chassis, which made the new Demio larger than its predecessor. It measured 154.5 inches from bumper to bumper, with a 66.1 inches width and 60.2 inches height. Wheelbase was 98.0 inches, about 3.9 inches longer than the old car. This translated to more room inside and improved ride quality. Helping in this department was the car's mildly-tuned suspension that consisted of struts up front and a torsion beam at the rear.

The engines of the new Demio all featured DOHC. There was the choice of a 1.3-liter inline-4 that produced 90 HP and a 111 HP 1.5-liter four-cylinder. They came mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 4-speed auto. With all these changes, the Demio broadened its appeal to the Japanese public and became a hit with a new group of buyers who enjoyed a high level of comfort in their economy cars.