Mazda today unveiled their latest concept, the Hazumi, which may point the way to the design of a future Mazda2.

Hazumi is a Japanese word meaning to spring up or to bound, much like a small energetic animal.

The concept takes this idea and mixes it with Mazda’s Kodo ‘Soul of Motion’ design language to create a car for the B-segment, and a possible Mazda2 replacement.

At 4,070mm long and 1,730mm wide, it’s slightly larger than the current Mazda2 but much smaller than a Mazda3.

Particuarly notable design elements are the cheetah-like headlights and the prominent aluminium wing motif that forms the base of the grille.

Power comes from a new 1.5-litre SkyActiv-D clean diesel engine which builds on the success of the SkyActiv power-plants in cars such as the Mazda6 and CX-5.

It is said to provide smooth and linear performance all the way to the red-line, but will also boast CO2 emissions below 90 g/km.

The new 1.5-litre unit also makes use of the company’s i-stop idle stop and i-Eloop brake energy regeneration systems.

Also present are various electronic safety systems under the i-ActivSense banner, and a new in-car entertainment system dubbed MZD Connect that features a head-up display.

The interior design creates a series of shapes that spread out from the instrument cluster to form the door trims, while the centre console is suspended to create more foot-well space.

Of course, there’s no suggestion at this early stage as to which elements will make it into production, but we can hope.

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