Mazda Demio Sales Start in Japan

The revised and refreshed version of the Demio (known as the Mazda2 in Europe) just gone on sale in carmaker’s home market of Japan, being offered in all Mazda, Mazda Anfini and Mazda Autozam dealers throughout the country. A total of 6,000 per month are expected to find new homes at prices ranging from JPY1,149,000 to JPY1,621,750 (the equivalent of US$14,400 to $20,300).

As you might already know, the 2012 model year now features the Japanese carmaker’s new 1.3-liter SKYACTIV-G direct-injection gasoline engine. The four-cylinder unit features dual sequential valve timing and an ultra high compression ratio.

Combined with the automaker's i-stop idling stop system, the SKYACTIV-G 1.3 features a record high compression ratio of 14.0:1 together with knocking avoiding technologies like piston cavities designed to support ideal combustion and multi-hole injectors for precise fuel injection.

The unit deliveries a best-in class fuel economy of 30.0km/L (10-15 mode test cycle) or 25.0km/L (Japan’s new JC08 test cycle). A total of 130 patents had to be filed by Mazda for the new 1.3-liter, which develops 82 hp at 5,400 rpm (62 kW)  and 112 Nm (83 LB-FT)of torque at 4,000 rpm. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the SKYACTIV-G 1.3 variant of the Demio starts from an affordable 1,400,000 yen (including taxes), which is equivalent to about $17,300.

The Japanese carmaker has also developed a system named i-DM that monitors the movement of the steering wheel, accelerator and brake pedals, as well as the vehicle speed, to inform the driver about his skills through a gauge and colored lights on the dashboard. “The score from each trip is used to calculate a driving skill level, from Stage 1 to Stage 3. By progressing through the stages, drivers can feel that their driving skills are improving,” Mazda says.