Refreshed 2010 Mazda2 Hatchback and New Sedan Variant Heading to Australia

A subtly updated version of the 2010 Mazda2 will make its way to Australian showrooms in May in hatchback and for the first time, sedan body styles. Aside from the new looks and the addition of the longer, four-door sedan to the range, the 2010 Mazda2 also heralds the change of production as the refreshed model will now be sourced from the company's new factory in Thailand instead of Japan.

As with the North American version of the car, the styling tweaks on the revamped Aussie-spec Mazda2 are mostly concentrated up front and concern the new front bumper that incorporates the firm's smiley-shaped lower grille, darker head light clusters and the revised upper grille.

Both body styles of the new Mazda2 will continue to be powered by a 76kW / 102HP 1.5-liter petrol engine hooked up to either manual or automatic transmissions.

According to Mazda's Aussie division, the new sedan version which boasts 450 liters of boot capacity will come equipped with several standard features including 15 inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, power windows and mirrors, as well as front, side and curtain SRS airbags, and ABD with EBD.

Spot the Differences: North American 2011 Mazda2 Interior Revealed at Canada Auto Show

After comparing photos of the interiors of the North America and European Mazda2 the only visible differences we spotted between the two models concern the relocation and redesign of the glove box on the passenger's side and the new seat trims. Other than that, the interiors of the N.A.- and Euro-spec Mazda2 are identical.

This is the first time that Mazda showed off the North American Mazda2's interior after the small hatchback's debut at last year's LA Show.

On this side of the Atlantic, the Ford Fiesta's platform-partner will go on sale this summer with the five-door body style and a 1.5-liter gasoline engine, with more details expected to be announced closer to its launch.

New Photos of Mazda MX-5 20th Anniversary Limited Edition

Together with UK pricing, Mazda published a new set of photographs of its limited edition MX-5 that was created to celebrate the popular roadster's 20th birthday. Starting from £16,850 on-the-road, the commemorative model is based on the 1.8-liter SE version, and even though it features 10 additional items of equipment worth over £650, it's priced just £55 more than the standard SE.

Special features include the ten-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels with a unique silver finish, front fog lights, chrome trims around the grille, headlamps and fog lights, body-coloured roll bars and a supporting strut brace.

Inside, the limited run MX-5 get stainless steel scuff plate features a unique '20th Anniversary' logo and limited edition number, premium '20th Anniversary' branded floor mats, a body-coloured front dashboard, aluminium pedal set, and manual air-conditioning.

The commemorative model will be available in a choice of three colors - True Red and for the first time in the UK, Crystal White Pearlescent and Aurora Blue Mica, each priced at £395.

And if you're wondering, Mazda did not say if it will offer the stripes and stickers featured on the white MX-5 in the press photos.

In terms of performance, 126HP 1.8-liter engine that's hooked up to a five-speed manual gearbox propels the MX-5 from standstill 62mph (100km/h) in 9.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 121mph or 195 km/h, while returning a combined fuel economy of 40.4 mpg UK.

New Mazda MX-5 20th Anniversary Edition to premiere in Geneva

To commemorate the MX-5's (also known as the Miata in some markets) 20th birthday, Mazda will unveil a special anniversary edition of its rear-wheel drive roadster at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Called the MX-5 20th Anniversary Edition, this model will have a limited production run of just 2,000 units and will only be available in Europe.

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