Mazda concept previews new Mazda 2

• Mazda Vision X-Compact unveiled at Japan Mobility Show
• A concept for now, but Mazda has production aspirations
• Smaller than now-defunct Mazda2
• Few technical details

Could this little hatchback be the successor to the recently departed Mazda 2? This is the Mazda Vision X-Compact, a concept car revealed at the Japan Mobility Show.

Although just a technical exercise at the moment, it shows the vision of a small hatchback that Mazda says it wants to put into production. 

According to the Mazda, it's designed to "deepen the bond between people and cars through the fusion of a human sensory digital model and empathetic Al," which we take to mean it's got a beefed up infotainment system that you can talk to.

But more than that, it showcases what could well be the new small hatchback that fills the gap left by the old Mazda 2.

There's no information about what could power it – Mazda hasn't said if the Vision X-Compact is electric or combustion powered – but it gives a clear indication of what it could look like. The front end is an evolution of existing Mazda production cars, but the rear end is new, with eye-catching lights and a rounded, bubbly look to the bodywork.

The interior is also a departure, with lots of colour and a minimalist look – while other cars are rapidly becoming screen-filled, the Vision X-Compact has just one digital dial behing the steering wheel and a small display next to it.

Stay tuned – we'll update this article with more information when it becomes available.