Further Snaps of Interesting New Demio

Mazda has released additional images of its new Demio (known as the Mazda 2 outside of Japan), ahead of the car's official launch tomorrow, on the opening day of the 77th Geneva Motor Show. While official images of the standard car have been circulating for a few weeks, the newly distributed images show the car in a more sporting guise, complete with an aggressive front bumper and grill package, coupled with side skirts and a subtle roof spoiler.

Although the new Demio has echoes of Yaris about it, with its rakish stance and the sloping lower line of its side windows, the Demio is doubtless more radical in its approach. Indeed, the Demio's well-defined front wings, clearly reminiscent of its stablemate the CX-7, and the two distinct angular creases along the cars flanks, which compliment rather than clutter, bestow the diminutive Mazda with a purposeful and athletic demeanour. The interior shots also reveal further promises of sporting intent, with a steering wheel seemingly lifted straight from the MX-5 (Roadster), brushed aluminium-look trim and black and white dials all giving off intimations of underlying performance. Certainly, in comparison with its forebear, which awkwardly attempted to mate small MPV with supermini, resulting in an ill-proportioned box, the new Demio looks set, at least stylistically, to become an attractive and somewhat avant-garde player in the supermini sector.

The Demio is purported, in Europe, to be launching with three petrol engine options: 75 and 84 horsepower 1.3 litre units, and a 103hp 1.5 litre powerplant. More detailed specifications are likely to be made available following Mazda's official press conference, scheduled to take place in Geneva at 2.15pm local time tomorrow.