Pre-Production Mazda1 Caught Testing

UPDATE: On further investigation it appears the car in question isn't a Mazda1 at all.  The car seen testing is actually a Haima2 a Chinese version of the Mazda2 produced by FAW and Mazda.

Mazda has room in its line-up for only one car to slot in beneath the Mazda2 and, funnily enough, that one car is to be called the Mazda1.

While the Kiyora Concept shown at the 2008 Paris Motor Show possessed the right dimensions and a perfectly suitable drivetrain, the appearance of the car was perhaps a little avant-garde. It was only fair to expect a slightly toned-down version for production, and evo magazine has a round of spy shots showing just how sedate the Mazda1 has become.

The usual Mazda design cues are all in place, however, like most of the Nagare series of concepts from the Japanese brand, the production reality just can’t match the concept fantasy.

Still, from what’s apparent in evo's photos, the Mazda1 appears to be a scaled down version of the Mazda2 - and that's no bad thing.

A production version of the Mazda1 is expected for the Frankfurt Motor Show later this year.