Frankfurt motor show 2007 - Mazda 2

The new Mazda 2, making its first public appearance at Frankfurt, is significant for a couple of reasons beyond its sales potential.

First, it forms the basis of 2009's Ford Fiesta replacement (which appears here in concept form as the Verve).

Second, it goes against the trend for bigger and heavier superminis such as the latest Vauxhall Corsa, Renault Clio and Peugeot 207.

Mazda has saved around 100kg compared with the current model, even though the newcomer runs on the same wheelbase.

60% of this has come about through engineering – trimming fat from the bodyshell, exhaust system, suspension, electrics and even the door speakers.

20% is a result of shortening the front and rear body overhangs.

The rest is through what Mazda calls 'reduced feature content' – for example, the rear seat has a single-fold mechanism rather than the double-fold system in the outgoing car.

With longer gearing also fitted to the new 2, Mazda claims fuel savings of around 18% and reductions in carbon dioxide of up to 23g/km.

Yet the company says safety has not been compromised – it expects a maximum five-star frontal crash rating when the car is put through the NCAP test regime – and claims to have put weight into sound-deadening to make the new car quieter than the old one.

There'll also be a three-door Mazda 2 for the first time, but not before next summer.

The car initially goes on sale later this month as a five-door only in three guises - a 74bhp 1.3-litre TS, an 85bhp 1.3 TS2 and a 102bhp 1.5-litre Sport - with prices from £8499 to £11,799.

All the engines are Mazda units, replacing the Ford offerings in the current car.

A model powered by the 1.4-litre diesel will be available later.