Rotary Speed Magazine

Mazda2 Named 2008 World Car of the Year

This would be much bigger news if we could actually buy a Mazda2 here in the States. Oh, well...

The Mazda2 is the 2008 World Car of the Year (WCOTY). From an initial entry list of thirty-nine (39) new vehicles from all over the world, the overall 2008 WCOTY title was announced today (Thursday, March 20, 2008) at the New York International Auto Show. The Mazda2 (known as the Mazda Demio in Japan) edged out the Ford Mondeo and Mercedes-Benz C-Class to take the overall award.

Based on the recommendations of a design panel consisting of four highly respected world design experts, the Mazda2 was also voted by the jurors onto the short-list of top three design finalists, together with the Audi R8 and Volvo C30.

Mazda2 3-door hatch making debut

Following the success of the European market Mazda2 5-door, an even sportier 3-door hatch will be joining the lineup later this year. A concept version was built specifically for the Geneva Motor Show to be held March 4-16, 2008.

This new model features several motors -- from a 1.3 liter gas to a 1.4 liter diesel -- and all benefit from an even slipperier 0.31 drag coefficient and a mere 0.02 coefficient of lift, resulting in low fuel consumption.

We don't have any pictures yet, but we were already wishing for a US-bound 5-door. Even the thought of a 3-door makes us salivate even more. We'll have real pictures after it breaks cover later this month.