Revealed: Mazda2 (Demio) sedan

Mazda brought a new level of style and dynamism to the compact car segment when it launch the new Mazda2 (Demio) back in March. It showed the world that econo hatches didn't have to be boxy and boring and with the right engineering (the new Mazda2 is smaller and lighter than its predecessor but more spacious) the cars could remain affordable and practical while still being fun to drive. Mazda has now added a sedan variant to its lineup.

The new sedan will make its debut at the 2007 Guangzhou Motor Show in China this week. The car is targeted at the Chinese market and is manufactured by the Changan Ford Mazda joint-venture at a factory in Nanjing.

The engine lineup will likely remain the same as the hatchback's offering, which means three petrol engines ranging from 1.3 to 1.5L in displacement. The entry-level 1.3L unit produces 75hp and two 1.5L units deliver 84hp and 103hp respectively.

Production of the car is well underway and first sales are scheduled to start in China by January next year. There's no word on which other markets the sedan will be launched in.