Will be launched later during the car's lifespan

Australian media is reporting the next generation Mazda2 will receive a plug-in hybrid version which will feature a small rotary engine.

Mazda's rotary engine was phased out in June 2012 but since then many reports emerged about a resurrection for a rumored RX-8 successor. It seems the rotary engine will be seen at first in a next generation Mazda2 plug-in hybrid variant set to be introduced later during the car's lifespan.

It is believed the powertrain will be an evolution of the Mazda2 RE experimental vehicle which had a 330cc range-extending single-rotor Wankel engine weighing just 100 kg (220 lbs). The motor was installed under the car's rear on three mounting points which eliminated vertical vibration and allowed the vehicle to be at least 5 dB quieter at the same rpm level compared to a regular gasoline or diesel engine.

The conventional-powered 2015 Mazda2 will be officially revealed next month and will be offered with a newly developed SKYACTIV-D 1.5-liter diesel generating 105 PS (77 kW) and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft). Equipped with this engine, the 2015 Demio (JDM-spec) will be the most frugal diesel car in Japan as tested in the JC08 cycle.

The conventional-powered 2015 Mazda2 will be officially revealed next month and will be offered with a newly developed SKYACTIV-D 1.5-liter diesel generating 105 PS (77 kW) and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft). Equipped with this engine, the 2015 Demio (JDM-spec) will be the most frugal diesel car in Japan as tested in the JC08 cycle.

The first images of the eagerly anticipated 2015 Mazda2 sub-compact, also known as the Demio in Japan, have emerged on the web, prior to the supermini's official reveal, which may take place in front of the public at the upcoming Paris Motor Show in October.

From these pictures, it looks like Mazda stayed true to the well-received Hazumi Concept from the Geneva Salon earlier this year, keeping both the shape and most of the styling details of the study, minus futuristic elements, such as the aero kit, big wheels and door mirrors.

On the inside, Mazda toned down the styling a few notches compared to the concept, but it still looks fresh. The center console features a tablet-style touchscreen that is also controlled through a rotary button positioned next to the handbrake lever.

We know from previous statements that the new Mazda2 encompasses the brand's full suite of lightweight and efficient SkyActiv technologies, including a new and lighter platform, and at launch, two 1.5-liter SkyActive engines, a petrol and a diesel.

The 1.5-liter petrol unit is already in use on the Mazda3 where it produces 100PS (99hp), while the new 1.5-liter Skyactiv-D diesel delivers 105PS (104hp) at 4,000 rpm and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque between 1,500 and 2,500 rpm, and is paired to a six-speed automatic, emitting under 90 grams of CO2.

We'll update this story as soon as we find out more.

Production has already started in Hofu, Japan

Following yesterday's leak, the all-new 2015 Mazda2 / Demio has been officially revealed.

Mazda offered a sneak preview of the new "2" back in March at the Geneva Motor Show with the Hazumi concept and now the production version has emerged featuring the attractive Kodo design language as seen in the larger Mazda3 and Mazda6 models. Not only the exterior is a close resemblance of its bigger brothers but also the interior cabin with its clean and simple layout is also largely borrowed from the "3" and "6."

Mazda didn't release full details about the car but we already know it will be available with a newly developed 1.5-liter SKYACTIV-D diesel engine generating 105 PS (77 kW) at 4,000 rpm and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) between 1,500 rpm and 2,500 rpm. Depending on market, a 1.5-liter SKYACTIV-G will also be offered in different power versions, with both engines linked to manual and automatic gearboxes.

Details about the car's physical dimensions have not been released but these should be very close to those of the Hazumi which was 4070mm long, 1730mm wide and 1450mm tall, with a 2585mm wheelbase.

Mazda says production of the JDM-spec Demio has already started in Hofu, Japan and the car will be locally available from fall so other markets will probably get it before the end of the year or early 2015. Expect the Euro-spec variant to be showcased in early October at the Paris Motor Show.

After catching a glimpse of the all-new Mazda2 earlier today, the Japanese carmaker went ahead and officially revealed its new supermini that keeps the Demio nametag for the domestic market. The new Mazda2 will begin to roll out in global markets (including North America) in the final quarter of the year.

Seen here in Japanese specification, the new generation Mazda2 is strongly influenced by the Hazumi concept exhibited at the Geneva show in March, displaying same edgy ‘Kodo’ design language as the latest Mazda3 compact and Mazda6 mid-size models.

The same holds true for the clean looking interior that can be had in different colors and trims, with highlights including a tablet-style touchscreen on top of the dash, controlled via a rotary dial located next to the handbrake lever, and a heads-up display option.

Mazda was pretty stingy with the details, but it did say that the new sub-compact hatch benefits from a full suite of lightweight and efficient SkyActiv technologies including engines, transmissions, body, and chassis.

Depending on the market, the new 2 will be offered with up to three engines at launch, including the SKYACTIV-G 1.3-liter and 100PS (99hp) 1.5-liter gasoline units, and the 105PS (104hp) SKYACTIV-D 1.5-liter diesel, matched to 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions.

Expect the new Mazda2 to have similar dimensions to the Hazumi Concept that measured 4,070mm long, 1,730mm wide and 1,450mm tall.

Mazda said it will hand out more details on the new 2 later in the year.

Barely out and the Mazda2 / Demio has already been turned into a hot hatch. Digital enhancer X-Tomi worked his magic on a photo of the standard 2 and came up with an MPS version, despite the fact that we don’t know for certain that it will be made.

Still, you have to admit it wears its spoilers, skirts and larger rims pretty nicely, helped by its already muscular and well sculpted stance – the standard car, even on the smallest of rims, still looks considerably sportier than any of its supermini rivals.

Mazda doesn’t have a proper engine to realistically power such a car, yet. What they need is a turbocharged 1.5- or 1.6-liter, like the rest of the pack; be realistic and don’t mention Wankels as a solution in the comments box below…

We hope Mazda makes this car and figures out all the details along the way, because judging by what they’re doing with their regular cars, a hotter one built on the same philosophy stands a very good chance of excelling.

Could battle the Ford Fiesta ST

Mazda's General Manager of Global Sales and Marketing has revealed the company could offer a high-performance Mazda2 MPS.

Speaking to Car Advice, Yasuhiro Aoyama said “Once we introduce one model the competitiveness will gradually deteriorate… so we need to maintain the competitiveness of the vehicles." He went on to say "For some markets a sportier version would work" and it is "definitely one of the considerations.”

His sentiments were echoed by Mazda2 deputy program manager of vehicle development, Kengo Fukushima, who said he wants the model to be a like the Ford Fiesta ST but admitted there are no plans for it yet.