MAZDA is in pole position to have the UK's first EuroIV diesel car when the new Mazda2 supermini goes on sale at the early in 2003.

By meeting EuroIV standards, the Mazda2 1.4-litre diesel engine will avoid the three percentage point penalty imposed on other diesels under the rules of the new company car tax system. Mazda will also offer a newly-developed range of petrol engines: 74bhp 1.25-litre, 78bhp 1.4-litre, 98bhp 1.6-litre petrol, with the 1.4 petrol available with an automatic gearbox that Mazda claims has no detrimental effect on fuel consumption. All engines will meet Euro4 emissions standards.

Mazda is claiming that interior quality and space will be a match for the best European competitors.