Mazda 2 R Spec IIMS 1

The Thai-assembled 2015 Mazda 2 – built at the Auto Alliance Thailand (AAT) plant in Rayong – has made its debut at the Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS). Pre-booking for the B-segment hatch in Indonesia began last Thursday ahead of its launch in November, with deliveries beginning in December.

Exterior-wise, the new 2 is the latest Mazda to feature the brand's sharp Kodo design language, and wears it well. The interior, meanwhile, has a minimalist driver-focused design that has now also made it to the new 2015 Mazda MX-5. The impressive cabin materials that we saw on the Japanese-built car we drove recently look to have made it unscathed here – yes, even the proper leather dashboard trim on the top models.

Mazda 2 V Spec IIMS 17

In Indonesia, the 2 will be offered with just one engine – the 1.5 litre direct-injected SkyActiv-G four-cylinder petrol mill. This motor produces 115 PS at 6,000 rpm and 148 Nm at 4,000 rpm, and can be mated to either a SkyActiv-MT manual or a SkyActiv-Drive automatic transmission, both with six speeds.

Across the range, the Mazda 2 comes with dual airbags, ABS with EBD and BA, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), traction control, ISOFIX child seat anchors on the rear seats, i-stop automatic start-stop system and, intriguingly, rear disc brakes in place of the drums on the car we tested.

Mazda 2 R Spec IIMS 14

Moving up from the base V to the middling R brings 16-inch wheels (up from 15), Mazda's MZD Connect touchscreen infotainment system and six speakers instead of four, while the automatic-only GT's impressive equipment list includes navigation, Advanced Blind Spot Monitoring (A-BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and Smart City Brake Support (SCBS).

Prices of the Mazda 2 in Indonesia will range between Rp. 225-270 million (RM61,000-RM73,200). Closer to home, local distributor Bermaz is looking to introduce the new 2 early next year, with a price target below the RM90,000 mark. We rather liked the car when we drove it in Japan – you can read our impressions here.